Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Oregon
collecting out of state debts
While living in Michigan, I made a personal loan of $5000 to someone for college tuition about 4 years ago. The person ran off, leaving no forwarding address and without paying the debt back. I've recently located the person in Oregon. What would be the easiest, least expensive way to collect on this outstanding debt?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: collecting out of state debts
Sue the person in small claims court in Oregon. The small claims limit is $5000.
There is no overall "easy" way to collect the debt. You need to get a judgment first (either in Michigan or Oregon), but then you have to collect the judgment which can only be done in Oregon if that is where all the debtor's assets are located. To collect in Oregon, there must either be (a) an Oregon judgment, or (b) an out-of-state judgment that is registered in Oregon. Good luck.