If you owned, inherited, or held an interest in property that was foreclosed on in Lane County for non-payment of property taxes and the statutory redemption period expired between October 12, 2017 and December 30, 2025, you could be eligible for money from a Settlement

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement is being issued by Kroll Settlement Administration LLC regarding Lynch v. Multnomah County, Case No. 3:23-cv-01502.

What is this about?
A proposed Settlement in a class action lawsuit called Martin Lynch, et al. v. Multnomah County, et al., Case No. 3:23-cv-01502, pending in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. This class action lawsuit alleges that many counties in Oregon violated the rights of property owners or heirs by failing to pay to the former owners or other interest holders the equity in their tax-foreclosed properties that exceeded the unpaid taxes, fees, and other costs associated with those properties. These claims have become known as surplus-proceeds or surplus-equity claims. Only Lane County is participating in this Settlement.

Who is included?
You are included as a Class Member if you owned, inherited, or held an interest in property foreclosed on and sold, donated or transferred by Lane County between October 12, 2017 and December 30, 2025. (Common examples of interests in real property include ownership, mortgage interests, and other types of liens.) If the original owner or interest holder is deceased or no longer exists, then heirs or successors are included as Class Members.

What does the Settlement provide?
Each Class Member who submits a valid Claim will receive a payment of the surplus from the tax-foreclosed property. Under the Settlement Agreement, Class Members may submit Claims regarding the surplus equity in retained properties in the same manner as properties that have been sold. Lane County has agreed to pay 100% of the surplus proceeds obtained from most eligible properties that were sold, plus applicable interest, fees, and administration costs. The total Settlement Fund is $1,348,311.60. The Settlement Fund will cover payments to Class Members who submit valid Claims, the costs of administering the Settlement, and attorneys' fees which will not exceed 25% of the Settlement Fund. Class Members do not need to pay anything to participate in the Settlement. The deadline to submit a Claim is 11:59 p.m. PT on February 22, 2027.

What are your rights?

• File a Claim: You must complete and submit a Claim to qualify for a payment under the Settlement. You may file your Claim online or download a Claim Form at www.LaneTaxForeclosureSettlement.com. If you submit by U.S. mail, Claim Forms should be sent to Lynch v. Multnomah County (Lane County), c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391. Claims must be postmarked by 11:59 p.m. PT on February 22, 2027.
• Do Nothing: If you do nothing, you will not receive money, but you will be legally bound by decisions of the Court and will give up any right to sue for the claims resolved by this Settlement.
• Opt Out: If you do not want to be bound by the Settlement, you must exclude yourself by November 24, 2026. The Parties intend to ask the Court to enjoin Class Members from participating in federal court litigation regarding the subject matter of the Settlement. If the Court grants that motion, you will be required to opt out of the Settlement Class should you wish to pursue such litigation.
• Object: You may file an objection with the Clerk of Court, serve the parties, and explain why you do not like the Settlement. You may still participate in the Settlement by filing a Claim. Objections must be filed by November 24, 2026.

The Court has appointed Class Counsel to act on behalf of the Settlement Class. You have the right to retain your own counsel at your own expense.

When is the Final Approval Hearing?
The Court will hold a hearing on December 2, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PT at the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, 1000 SW Third Ave., Portland, Oregon 97204 to hear any objections, determine if the Settlement is fair, and to consider Class Counsel's request for attorney's fees and expenses. The total amount of a Claim cannot be calculated until all claims have been submitted and validated. The motion for attorneys' fees and expenses will be posted to the Settlement website after it is filed. Class Members may attend the hearing, but they aren't required to.

This is only a summary. For complete information about this lawsuit, the Settlement, and your rights under the Settlement, visit www.LaneTaxForeclosureSettlement.com, call (833) 453-3598, or write to: Lynch v. Multnomah County (Lane County), c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391.

SOURCE Kroll Settlement Administration LLC