#United States #Portland #Settlement Fund #Tax Foreclosure #Lane County

Compensation for Affected Property Owners in Lane County

In a significant development, property owners, heirs, or interested parties who faced foreclosure in Lane County due to unpaid property taxes between October 12, 2017, and December 30, 2025 may potentially receive financial compensation as a result of a class action settlement. Known as Martin Lynch, et al. v. Multnomah County, this lawsuit has raised critical concerns about the rights of property owners when counties foreclose on properties.

The core of the issue pertains to what’s referred to as surplus-proceeds claims. The lawsuit alleges that several counties in Oregon, including Lane County, have failed to distribute the equity that remained in tax-foreclosed properties beyond what was owed in taxes, fees, and various associated costs. Only Lane County is participating in this settlement.

Who Can Claim Compensation?

If you are someone who owned, inherited, or held an interest in property in Lane County that was subject to foreclosure within the specified dates, you may automatically be recognized as a Class Member. Even if the original owner is deceased, heirs or successors are also eligible to make a claim for compensation.

Examples of property interests can include outright ownership, mortgage interests, or any other types of liens. The Settlement is designed to address the loss suffered by these individuals due to the foreclosure process that neglected to recognize their rightful equity in their properties.

Settlement Benefits

This settlement offers an opportunity for Class Members to receive payments reflecting the surplus from tax-foreclosed properties. Those who meet the qualifications and submit a valid claim can expect to receive a percentage of the surplus equity from both sold and retained properties. The involved parties have decided that Lane County will allocate 100% of the surplus proceeds collected from eligible sold properties, covering all pertinent interests as well.

The total pool for this Settlement Fund has been estimated at $1,348,311.60, which will be utilized to compensate claimants, cover administrative costs of the settlement, and pay attorneys’ fees capped at 25%. Importantly, Class Members are not required to pay any fees to participate in this settlement — it’s entirely facilitated for the benefit of those affected.

Key Dates to Remember

Individuals interested in making a claim should take note of the impending submission deadline: February 22, 2027, by 11:59 p.m. PT. Claims can be filed online or via postal service to Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, which is managing the distribution of compensation for this settlement.

To claim, Class Members have to fill out a claim form, which can be downloaded from the official website www.LaneTaxForeclosureSettlement.com. For those sending mail, claims must be postmarked by the aforementioned deadline.

Additional Rights & Actions

If individuals choose not to take action, they will lose the potential for compensation while still being legally bound by the court’s decision regarding the settlement. Conversely, to opt-out of participating in the class, exclusion requests must be submitted by November 24, 2026. Additionally, anyone who has objections to the settlement can formally express their concerns by the same date, ensuring their voice is heard during the process.

The final approval hearing is scheduled for December 2, 2026, in the District Court of Oregon, where the settlement's fairness will be assessed, and objections considered. Individuals are welcome to attend the hearing, though attendance is not mandatory.

This settlement represents an important step in recognizing the rights of property owners in foreclosure situations. For comprehensive information about your eligibility and actions you can take, visit the official settlement website or reach out directly to the Kroll Settlement Administration LLC.