Former Lane County property owners claim part of the $1.35 million settlement by filing a completed claim online or by mail by 11:59 p.m. PT on Feb. 22, 2027. The fund totals $1,348,311.60 and pays only validated, timely claims.
The case is Lynch v. Lane County, a class action over tax-foreclosed property sales. Tax foreclosure here means the county took property for unpaid property taxes and then sold, donated, or transferred it. Plaintiffs say counties kept surplus equity above taxes, fees, and costs instead of returning it to former owners.
Official resources:
- Read the official notice from Prnewswire — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
- Read the official notice from Openclassactions — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
Table of Contents
- Who can claim money?
- How do you file before the deadline?
- What proof should you keep?
- How large is the settlement and what reduces it?
- What court decision is still ahead?
Who can claim money?
Eligibility turns on ownership, place, timing, and what the county did next. You must have owned, inherited, or held an interest in Lane County property foreclosed for nonpayment. The statutory redemption period must have expired between Oct. 12, 2017 and Dec. 30, 2025.
The county must also have sold, donated, or transferred the property after foreclosure, according to the Kroll Settlement Administration notice shared through the Kroll settlement notice distributed via PR Newswire. That disposition requirement matters because retained-but-unsold property may fall outside payment rules. Heirs and lienholders can qualify when they held a covered interest during the period. Check the property address, foreclosure papers, and redemption-expiration date before filing. If more than one person held an interest, each person generally needs to establish their own share. Filing does not guarantee payment; the administrator must validate the claim.
How do you file before the deadline?
File through the official settlement website or mail the completed form to the Kroll administrator. The cutoff is 11:59 p.m. PT on Feb. 22, 2027, according to the official settlement website.
A mailed claim must reach the administrator in usable form by that time. Do not wait until the final week if records need searching. Late claims receive nothing under the settlement terms. Keep copies of everything sent.
- Use the official online claim form or the mailed paper claim packet.
- Enter the foreclosed property address, tax account details, and claimant contact information.
- List every owner, heir, or lienholder connected to the claim.
- Sign, date, and submit before the deadline, then save proof of submission.
What proof should you keep?
Payments go only to claims showing ownership, lien, or heirship. Useful records include deeds, title documents, probate orders, trust papers, divorce decrees, and lien statements. Former owners and heirs should retain deeds, probate, or lien records proving their interest. Gather documents that connect your name to the property at foreclosure.
For inherited property, add death certificates, wills, and court appointment papers for the personal representative. For a lien claim, add the recorded lien and any assignment or release. Missing paperwork is the main practical risk. Undocumented claims receive nothing after validation review. If a name changed through marriage or court order, include that order so the administrator can match records.
How large is the settlement and what reduces it?
Lane County commissioners approved $1,348,311.60 to resolve the Lane County claims in Lynch v. Lane County, according to the Lane County order adopting the settlement. That amount is the total settlement fund, not an individual payment.
Individual amounts depend on the number of approved claims and the surplus tied to each property. Court-awarded attorneys' fees, costs, and administration expenses come out before distributions. Larger fees and more costly administration leave less for claimants. Properties with little surplus above taxes and costs may produce small payments even when claims are valid.
What court decision is still ahead?
The U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon will hold a final-approval hearing at 10 a.m. PT on Dec. 2, 2026 in Portland.
The judge will decide whether the settlement is fair and consider requested attorneys' fees and expenses. Final approval is not the same as payment. Claimants do not need to attend to remain eligible. If the court approves the deal, the administrator will finish validation and calculate payments. If the court rejects it or requires changes, the schedule and payment rules could change.