Chapter 195 Oregon Laws 1999

Session Law

 

AN ACT

 

SB 415

 

Relating to enforcement of judgments; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 18.325, 18.350 and 46.488 and section 40, chapter 746, Oregon Laws 1997, and section 58a, chapter 801, Oregon Laws 1997, and ORCP 70A.

 

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

 

      SECTION 1. ORS 18.350 is amended to read:

      18.350. (1) Subject to the requirements of this section, from the time of docketing an original or renewed judgment as provided in ORS 18.320, such judgment shall be a lien upon all the real property of the judgment debtor within the county where the same is docketed, or which the judgment debtor may afterwards acquire therein, during the time prescribed in ORS 18.360. Such judgment shall not be a lien upon any real property of the judgment debtor acquired after the effective date of the discharge of the judgment under federal bankruptcy laws. All docketed judgments shall be presumed to have not been discharged until the judgment debtor establishes that the judgment has been discharged.

      (2) A judgment lien expires if an appeal is taken from any judgment and a supersedeas undertaking, as defined in ORS 19.005, is filed by the judgment debtor. The clerk shall note the expiration of the lien in the judgment docket. The lien expires when the time expires for the filing of objections to the undertaking, or upon approval of the undertaking by the court, whichever is later.

      (3) When the lien of a judgment ceases in the county in which the judgment was originally docketed, it shall cease in every other county in which a certified copy of the judgment or a lien record abstract has been recorded. When such judgment has been fully satisfied, it shall be the responsibility of the judgment creditor to file a full satisfaction in the county in which the judgment was originally docketed. The clerk of the court shall not charge a fee for filing a satisfaction of judgment. Upon satisfaction in full of the judgment, the judgment creditor shall deliver to the judgment debtor an executed satisfaction of the judgment for every county where a certified copy of the judgment or a lien record abstract has been recorded.

      (4) A judgment entered in the small claims department of a circuit court in an amount of less than $3,000, exclusive of costs, may become a lien on the real property of the judgment debtor only as provided in ORS 46.488.

      [(4) Except as provided in subsection (8) or (9) of this section, a judgment does not become a lien on real property of a judgment debtor until a judgment creditor files with the court a lien certificate including all of the following information:]

      [(a) The case number and the court that entered the judgment;]

      [(b) The date the judgment was entered in the register;]

      [(c) The names of all judgment debtors;]

      [(d) The amount of the judgment entered against each judgment debtor;]

      [(e) The names and addresses of all judgment creditors;]

      [(f) The name and address of any attorney or attorneys for the judgment creditors; and]

      [(g) The signature of the judgment creditor filing the lien certificate or the signature of the attorney for the judgment creditor.]

      [(5) The lien certificate required by subsection (4) of this section should also contain the last known address of each judgment debtor, the name of any attorney or attorneys for each judgment debtor, each judgment debtor's driver license number and the name of the state that issued the license, any taxpayer identification number for a judgment debtor, and the name of any governmental body or person, other than the judgment creditor's attorney, who is entitled to any portion of a payment made on the judgment. Creation of a judgment lien is not affected by the failure of a judgment creditor to include any of the information specified in this subsection in the lien certificate.]

      [(6) The lien certificate required by subsection (4) of this section may be filed at the time a judgment is docketed or at any time thereafter. However, the filing of a lien certificate after the date that a judgment is docketed does not operate to extend the period during which the judgment is valid. The clerk of the court shall enter the lien certificate in the register of the court.]

      [(7) The lien certificate required by subsection (4) of this section must be recorded in the County Clerk Lien Record whenever, pursuant to ORS 18.320, a judgment creditor records a certified copy of a judgment or a lien record abstract in any county other than the county where the judgment was originally docketed. The judgment does not become a lien on the real property of a judgment debtor in the other county until a lien certificate containing the information specified in subsection (4) of this section is so recorded.]

      [(8) The lien certificate required by subsection (4) of this section need not be filed for any judgment in a criminal action, as defined by ORS 131.005, as a condition of the judgment becoming a lien on the real property of a judgment debtor.]

      [(9) The lien certificate required by subsection (4) of this section need not be filed for any warrant or order recorded pursuant to ORS 205.125 as a condition of the warrant or order becoming a lien on the real property of a judgment debtor.]

      SECTION 2. Section 58a, chapter 801, Oregon Laws 1997, is amended to read:

      Sec. 58a. The amendments to [section 57 of this Act] ORS 46.488 by section 58 [of this Act], chapter 801, Oregon Laws 1997, become operative on [January 1, 2000] the effective date of this 1999 Act.

      SECTION 3. ORS 46.488, as amended by section 58, chapter 801, Oregon Laws 1997, is amended to read:

      46.488. (1) A judgment entered in the small claims department of a circuit court may be docketed in the docket of the circuit court only as provided in subsection (2) of this section if the judgment is in an amount of $10 or more and less than [$1,500] $3,000, exclusive of costs or disbursements. A judgment entered in the small claims department in an amount of [$1,500] $3,000 or more shall be docketed in the docket of the circuit court in the same manner as other judgments in circuit court, and shall become a lien upon all real property of the defendant in the manner described by ORS 18.350. [The judgment shall not become a lien on real property of the judgment debtor unless and until the judgment creditor files the lien certificate required under ORS 18.350.]

      (2) When a judgment is entered in the small claims department in an amount of $10 or more and less than [$1,500] $3,000, exclusive of costs or disbursements, the judgment creditor may at any time before expiration of the judgment under ORS 18.360 cause the judgment to be docketed by paying to the clerk of the court that entered the judgment the fees established by ORS 21.325 (1) and (2) and requesting the filing and docketing of the certified transcript of judgment. Upon receipt of the fees and request for docketing, the clerk shall docket the judgment in the judgment docket of the circuit court. [The judgment shall not become a lien on real property of the judgment debtor unless and until the judgment creditor files the lien certificate required under ORS 18.350.] Upon docketing, the judgment shall become a lien on real property of the judgment debtor in the county in which the judgment is docketed. In any other county, the judgment may become a lien on real property of the judgment debtor in the county if a certified copy of the judgment, or a lien record abstract for the docketed judgment in the form prescribed by ORS 18.325, is recorded in the County Clerk Lien Record. The judgment becomes a lien on real property of the judgment debtor in the other county on the date that the copy of the judgment or lien record abstract is so recorded.

      SECTION 4. ORCP 70 A is amended to read:

      A Form. Every judgment shall be in writing plainly titled as a judgment and set forth in a separate document. A default or stipulated judgment may have appended or subjoined thereto such affidavits, certificates, motions, stipulations, and exhibits as may be necessary or proper in support of the entry thereof.

      A(1) Content. No particular form of words is required, but every judgment shall:

      A(1)(a) Specify clearly the party or parties in whose favor it is given and against whom it is given and the relief granted or other determination of the action.

      A(1)(b) Be signed by the court or judge rendering such judgment or, in the case of judgment entered pursuant to Rule 69 B(1), by the clerk.

      A(2)(a) Money judgment; contents. Money judgments are judgments that require the payment of money, including judgments for the payment of costs or attorney fees. The requirements of this subsection are not jurisdictional for purposes of appellate review. Money judgments shall include all of the following:

      A(2)(a)(i) The [names] name and address of [the] each judgment creditor and the name, address and phone number of each creditor's attorney, if any.

      A(2)(a)(ii) The name of [the] each judgment debtor and, if known, the address, date of birth, Social Security number and driver license number for each judgment debtor, the state of issuance for each judgment debtor's driver license and the name of each judgment debtor's attorney.

      A(2)(a)(iii) The name of any person or public body known to the judgment creditor, other than the judgment creditor's attorney, who is entitled to any portion of a payment made on the judgment.

      [A(2)(a)(iii)] A(2)(a)(iv) The amount of the judgment.

      [A(2)(a)(iv)] A(2)(a)(v) The interest owed to the date of the judgment, either as a specific amount or as accrual information, including the rate or rates of interest, the balance or balances upon which interest accrues, the date or dates from which interest at each rate on each balance runs, and whether interest is simple or compounded and, if compounded, at what intervals.

      [A(2)(a)(v)] A(2)(a)(vi) Post-judgment interest accrual information, including the rate or rates of interest, the balance or balances upon which interest accrues, the date or dates from which interest at each rate on each balance runs, and whether interest is simple or compounded and, if compounded, at what intervals.

      [A(2)(a)(vi)] A(2)(a)(vii) For judgments that accrue on a periodic basis, any accrued arrearages, required further payments per period and accrual dates.

      [A(2)(a)(vii)] A(2)(a)(viii) If the judgment awards costs and disbursements or attorney fees, that they are awarded and any specific amounts awarded. This subparagraph does not require inclusion of specific amounts where such will be determined later under Rule 68 C.

      A(2)(b) Form. To comply with the requirements of paragraph A(2)(a) of this rule, the requirements in that paragraph must be presented in a manner that complies with all of the following:

      A(2)(b)(i) The requirements must be presented in a separate, discrete section immediately above the judge's signature if the judgment contains more provisions than just the requirements of paragraph A(2)(a) of this rule.

      A(2)(b)(ii) The separate section must be clearly labeled at its beginning as a money judgment. On or after January 1, 1994, if the money judgment includes a child support obligation, the label must so indicate.

      A(2)(b)(iii) The separate section must contain no other provisions except what is specifically required by this rule for judgments and, if applicable, by ORS 24.290 for the payment of money.

      A(2)(b)(iv) The requirements under paragraph A(2)(a) of this rule must be presented in the same order as set forth in that paragraph.

      A(3) If the proposed judgment does not comply with the requirements in subsections A(1) and (2) of this rule, it shall not be signed by the judge. If the judge signs the judgment, it shall be entered in the register whether or not it complies with the requirements in subsections A(1) and (2) of this rule.

      SECTION 5. ORS 18.325 is amended to read:

      18.325. Unless otherwise prescribed by law, a person recording a lien record abstract shall use substantially the following form:

___________________________________________________________________

 

LIEN RECORD ABSTRACT

 

The undersigned states:

 

A.   Creditor/Prevailing Party Information:

__   1.    The creditor/prevailing party is:

       _____________________________

       and the address of the creditor is:

       _____________________________

       _____________________________

       under judgment, decree, order or

       petition entered on _____ (date)

       in the District/Circuit Court/____

       for _____(County) of _____

       (State) under Case No. _______.

 

__   2.    The Creditor's attorney's name is

       _____________________________

       Attorney's Address is:

       _____________________________

 

       Attorney's Phone No. is: _________

 

B.    Debtor/Losing Party Information:

 

__   1.    The Debtor/losing party is:

       _____________________________

 

__   2.    [Whose] Debtor's address [is] (if known):

       _____________________________

       _____________________________

 

__   3.    Debtor's Social Security No. or

       Taxpayer Identification No. (if known):

       _____________________________

 

__   4.    Debtor's driver license no. and state of

       issuance for the license (if known):

       _____________________________

 

__   5.    Name of debtor's attorney (if known):

       _____________________________

 

C.    Judgment Information:

 

__   1.    The amount of the judgment is:

       _____________________________

 

__   2.    The amount of the costs is:

       _____________________________

 

__   3.    The amount of attorney fees, if any

       is: _______________

 

D.   The Real Property to be Affected

 

       (Check appropriate box):

 

__   All real property of the debtor/losing

       party, now or hereafter acquired, in

       ________ County as provided

       under ORS 18.320 and 18.350.

 

__   The following described real property

       of debtor (legal description as set forth

       or on attached Exhibit):

       _____________________________

       _____________________________

       _____________________________

       _____________________________

 

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the

       undersigned person or persons have

       executed this abstract this ___ day

       of _____, 19__.

_________________    _________________

_________________    _________________

 

State of Oregon          )

                                    )     ss.

County of _______     )

 

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____ day of _____, 19___ by _______.

 

_____________________

Notary Public for Oregon

 

My commission expires: _______

 

State of Oregon          )

                                    )     ss.

County of _______     )

 

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged

before me this ___ day of ___, 19___ by _________ and by _________ of _________, a corporation on behalf of the corporation.

 

_____________________

Notary Public for Oregon

 

My commission expires: _______

 

___________________________________________________________________

 

      SECTION 6. Section 40, chapter 746, Oregon Laws 1997, is amended to read:

      Sec. 40. (1) Unless otherwise prescribed by law, a person recording a lien record abstract shall use substantially the following form:

___________________________________________________________________

 

LIEN RECORD ABSTRACT

 

The undersigned states:

 

A.   Creditor/Prevailing Party Information:

 

__   1.    The creditor/prevailing party is:

       ____________________________

       and the address of the creditor is:

       ____________________________

       ____________________________

       under judgment, decree, order or

       petition entered on _____ (date)

       in the District/Circuit Court/____

       for _____ (County) of _____

       (State) under Case No. _______.

 

__   2.    The Creditor's attorney's name is

       ____________________________

       Attorney's Address is:

       ____________________________

 

       Attorney's Phone No. is: ______

 

B.    Debtor/Losing Party Information:

 

__   1.    The Debtor/losing party is:

       ____________________________

 

__   2.    [Whose] Debtor's address [is] (if known):

       ____________________________

       ____________________________

 

__   3.    Debtor's Social Security No. or

       Taxpayer Identification No. (if known):

       ____________________________

 

__   4.    Debtor's driver license no. and state

       of issuance for the license (if known):

       ____________________________

 

__   5.    Name of debtor's attorney (if known):

       ____________________________

 

C.    Judgment Information:

 

__   1.    The amount of the judgment is:

       ____________________________

 

__   2.    The amount of the costs is:

       ____________________________

 

__   3.    The amount of attorney fees, if any

       is: _____________

 

D.   The Real or Personal Property to be Affected

 

       (Check appropriate box):

 

__   All real property of the debtor/losing

       party, now or hereafter acquired, in

       ________ County as provided

       under ORS 18.350 and section 39, chapter

       746, Oregon Laws 1997 [of this Act].

 

__   The following described real or personal

       property of debtor (legal description as set

       forth or on attached Exhibit):

       ____________________________

       ____________________________

       ____________________________

       ____________________________

 

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the

       undersigned person or persons have

       executed this abstract this ___ day

       of _____, 19__.

 

___________________             ___________________

___________________             ___________________

 

State of Oregon          )

                                    )     ss.

County of _______     )

 

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____ day of _____, 19__ by _______.

 

_____________________

Notary Public for Oregon

 

My commission expires: _______

 

State of Oregon          )

                                    )     ss.

County of ____           )

 

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ___ day of ___, 19___ by _________ and by _________ of _________, a corporation on behalf of the corporation.

 

_____________________

Notary Public for Oregon

 

My commission expires: _______

 

___________________________________________________________________

 

      (2) A lien record abstract that is the result of a judgment for unpaid child or spousal support entered in another state shall be on the form prescribed by rules adopted by the Department of Human Resources in lieu of the form required by subsection (1) of this section.

      SECTION 7. Nothing in the amendments to ORS 18.325 or section 40, chapter 746, Oregon Laws 1997, by section 5 or 6 of this 1999 Act affects the operative-in-lieu or repealing provisions of section 1, chapter 746, Oregon Laws 1997.

      SECTION 7a. If Senate Bill 29 becomes law, sections 6 (amending section 40, chapter 746, Oregon Laws 1997) and 7 of this 1999 Act are repealed.

      SECTION 8. (1) The amendments to ORS 18.350 by section 1 of this 1999 Act, and the amendments to ORS 46.488 by section 58, chapter 801, Oregon Laws 1997, and by section 3 of this 1999 Act, do not affect any judgment docketed in the circuit court under the provisions of ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition) before the effective date of this 1999 Act. Notwithstanding the amendments to ORS 46.488 by section 58, chapter 801, Oregon Laws 1997, and by section 3 of this 1999 Act, any judgment entered in the small claims department of a circuit court before the effective date of this 1999 Act that was not docketed in the circuit court under the provisions of ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition) before the effective date of this 1999 Act may become a lien on real property only in the manner provided by ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition).

      (2) Any judgment docketed before the effective date of this 1999 Act, including judgments docketed under the provisions of ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition), that did not become a lien on real property by reason of failure of the judgment creditor to file a lien certificate with the court in the manner required by ORS 18.350 (4) to (9) (1997 Edition) shall automatically become a lien on real property to the extent described in ORS 18.350, as amended by section 1 of this 1999 Act, on January 1, 2000, and shall be considered in all respects as though the judgment had been docketed on January 1, 2000.

      (3) The amendments to ORCP 70 A by section 4 of this 1999 Act apply only to judgments entered in the register of a court on or after the effective date of this 1999 Act.

      (4) The amendments to ORS 18.325 by section 5 of this 1999 Act, and the amendments to section 40, chapter 746, Oregon Laws 1997, by section 6 of this 1999 Act, apply only to lien record abstracts recorded on or after the effective date of this 1999 Act.

      SECTION 8a. If Senate Bill 29 becomes law, section 8 of this 1999 Act is amended to read:

      Sec. 8. (1) The amendments to ORS 18.350 by section 1 of this 1999 Act, and the amendments to ORS 46.488 by section 58, chapter 801, Oregon Laws 1997, and by section 3 of this 1999 Act, do not affect any judgment docketed in the circuit court under the provisions of ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition) before the effective date of this 1999 Act. Notwithstanding the amendments to ORS 46.488 by section 58, chapter 801, Oregon Laws 1997, and by section 3 of this 1999 Act, any judgment entered in the small claims department of a circuit court before the effective date of this 1999 Act that was not docketed in the circuit court under the provisions of ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition) before the effective date of this 1999 Act may become a lien on real property only in the manner provided by ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition).

      (2) Any judgment docketed before the effective date of this 1999 Act, including judgments docketed under the provisions of ORS 46.488 (1997 Edition), that did not become a lien on real property by reason of failure of the judgment creditor to file a lien certificate with the court in the manner required by ORS 18.350 (4) to (9) (1997 Edition) shall automatically become a lien on real property to the extent described in ORS 18.350, as amended by section 1 of this 1999 Act, on January 1, 2000, and shall be considered in all respects as though the judgment had been docketed on January 1, 2000.

      (3) The amendments to ORCP 70 A by section 4 of this 1999 Act apply only to judgments entered in the register of a court on or after the effective date of this 1999 Act.

      (4) The amendments to ORS 18.325 by section 5 of this 1999 Act[, and the amendments to section 40, chapter 746, Oregon Laws 1997, by section 6 of this 1999 Act,] apply only to lien record abstracts recorded on or after the effective date of this 1999 Act.

 

Approved by the Governor May 27, 1999

 

Filed in the office of Secretary of State May 27, 1999

 

Effective date October 23, 1999

__________