Michael D. O’Brien, founder of Portland consumer bankruptcy firm Michael D. O’Brien & Associates, P.C., has published an updated third edition of Oregon Bankruptcy Relief, a free guide for Oregonians weighing debt relief options. The book draws on more than 30 years and roughly 7,000
Updated 2026 guide draws on more than 30 years and roughly 7,000 bankruptcy cases to answer the questions Oregonians ask most about debt, bankruptcy and the alternatives
PORTLAND, Ore. — October 29, 2026 — Michael D. O’Brien, founder of Portland consumer bankruptcy firm Michael D. O’Brien & Associates, P.C., has published an updated third edition of Oregon Bankruptcy Relief: Stop Looking Back and Face a Future Free of Debt. The updated guide walks Oregon residents through how bankruptcy works, who qualifies, what happens to their home, car and retirement savings, and when a non-bankruptcy option may be the better path. The firm distributes the book free of charge to Oregonians weighing their debt relief options.
O’Brien wrote the book for people who are behind on bills, living paycheck to paycheck, fielding collection calls, or weighing a payday loan or a retirement-account withdrawal to stay afloat. Its 25 short chapters are organized around the questions he hears in consultations, written in plain language rather than legal jargon.
“Bankruptcy should never be the first option, nor is it the only option, but it is sometimes the best option,” said O’Brien. “My goal with this book is to take away the fear of the unknown so people can make an informed decision about their own situation.”
The third edition covers:
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Eligibility and qualification, including updated Oregon median income figures as of April 1, 2026, prior filings and citizenship questions
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Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13, whether to file with or without an attorney, and how the automatic stay addresses creditor calls
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Property and assets, including the family home, vehicles and retirement accounts
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Family law and debt, including one-spouse filing, jointly owed debt, past-due support and property settlements with an ex-spouse
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Taxes and credit, including when IRS debt can be discharged and how a filing affects a credit score
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Alternatives to bankruptcy, including debt negotiation companies and consumer credit counseling agencies
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Privacy concerns, including whether employers, neighbors or family will find out
Throughout the book, O’Brien illustrates each topic with composite stories drawn from real clients, with names changed: a family whose budget collapsed after a job loss, a small-business owner left with equipment debt when work dried up, and a 72-year-old grandmother pursued for a co-signed car loan.
O’Brien has practiced bankruptcy law in Oregon for more than 30 years, during which he has been involved in about 7,000 bankruptcy cases and counseled roughly 20,000 Oregonians on debt relief options. He notes in the book that about one-third of the people he meets become bankruptcy clients, one-third resolve their debt in other ways, and one-third need no legal help at all. He is certified in consumer bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification, an ABA-accredited certifying organization.
A Southwest Portland native and U.S. Air Force Reserve medic veteran, O’Brien earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin.
Availability
Oregon Bankruptcy Relief (Third Edition, ISBN 978-1-63944-152-5) is available free of charge. Oregonians can request a copy by calling 503-303-0525 or visiting www.pdxlegal.com. Readers can receive the book through a digital download, a physical copy sent by mail, or both options. Readers who call and mention the book can also schedule a free, no-obligation 30-minute case evaluation.
About Michael D. O’Brien & Associates, P.C.
Michael D. O’Brien & Associates, P.C. is a Portland, Oregon, law firm focused on consumer bankruptcy and debt relief. Led by attorney Michael D. O’Brien, the firm helps individuals and families evaluate Chapter 7, Chapter 13 and non-bankruptcy options, pursues creditors who violate the law, and helps clients rebuild credit after their case. The firm has four locations throughout Oregon. Learn more at www.pdxlegal.com.
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Media Contact
Company: Michael D. O’Brien & Associates, P.C.
Contact Person: Michael D. O’Brien
Email: Send email
Website: www.pdxlegal.com
Phone: 503-303-0525
