PORTLAND -- The rate of foreclosures in the Portland metro area is rising, according to new data compiled by First American CoreLogic.

Among outstanding mortgage loans .70 percent were found to be in foreclosure in August. At the same time last year that rate was just .40 percent.

The mortgage delinquency rate has also climbed. In August nearly two percent of mortgages were late 90 days or more.

One of the hardest hit areas is Happy Valley. According to RealQuest.com, 87 homes are currently in pre-foreclosure proceedings, while 319 homes are up for auction and 94 are owned by the bank.

In comparison, Portland has five homes in pre-foreclosure, 423 up for auction and 72 owned by the bank.
  

Bankruptcy attorney Ann Chapman says the rise in foreclosures is translating to a rise in bankruptcy filings. Her firm, Vanden Bos & Chapman, has already hired one new attorney and is looking for another. 

Chapman says the cases are becoming more and more complex. A complicated bankruptcy code combined with fatally creative investing is requiring hours of added attention to each case. 

But finding additional help has been difficult. After the bankruptcy code changed in 2005 Chapman says many law school students began to avoid bankruptcy law.

As a result, the pool of qualified candidates is proving shallow. Vanden Bos & Chapman is actually turning away clients.

As the economy continues its decline more foreclosures are expected.