Estate Planning & Probate in Clackamas County, Oregon
Clackamas County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. Start with your situation below; both paths use Clackamas County's actual court and recording details.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Circuit Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Clackamas County →Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Clackamas County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Clackamas County →The Probate Process in Clackamas County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Clackamas County, probate runs through the Circuit Court at 1000 Courthouse Road, Oregon City. The court sits in the 5th Judicial District.
Full Clackamas County probate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Clackamas County Circuit Court
Clackamas County · 5th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Files probate
E-filing
Filing in person
Self-represented filing
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Clackamas County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Clackamas County
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Recording fee
E-recording
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Vital Records Office Record
County Registrar
Clackamas County · Clackamas County Vital Records
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Certified copies
Order online
Certified copy fee
Full death certificate details →
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Medical Examiner
Clackamas County · Clackamas County Medical Examiner
Phone
Office
Full coroner or medical examiner details →
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the Circuit Court
The county law library is in the courthouse building, and the Probate Department names it as a place to find forms the court does not provide. Fee waiver and deferral applications are available at the Court Help Desk in the first-floor Public Service Center.
A non-professional personal representative registers within 15 days of appointment and completes the fiduciary education class within 90 days. Guardian Partners runs the pre-recorded class and files the certificate of completion; the fee is a cost of administration. A personal representative appointed only to pursue a wrongful death claim is exempt. A personal representative who intends to appear without an attorney gives the court notice of that intent and demonstrates competency in probate matters. The court acts if the showing does not assure it the estate will be protected.
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Oregon
Free Oregon forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Oregon.
Last Will and Testament
In Oregon, a will is signed before 2ORS 112.235Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavitORS 112.235Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Pour-Over Will
In Oregon, a pour-over will is signed before 2ORS 112.235Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Oregon allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 2ORS 127.527 (HCR appointment), ORS 127.529 (comprehensive advance directive; form text set by 2021 c.328 §2 / SB 199 2021)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
Financial Power of Attorney
Oregon treats a power of attorney as durable by defaultORS 127.002 (defs; 2023 c.9 §8); ORS 127.005–127.045 (2009 c.46; 2018 c.36; 2021 c.272); ORS 93.670Verified Sep 20, 2026View source, and it is signed with no witness or notary requirementORS 127.002 (defs; 2023 c.9 §8); ORS 127.005–127.045 (2009 c.46; 2018 c.36; 2021 c.272); ORS 93.670Verified Sep 20, 2026View source.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Oregon
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Oregon: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Oregon.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Oregon: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysORS 113.165, ORS 113.175Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsORS §§ 113.155, 115.003, 115.005, 115.125Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Oregon happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeORS 130.001 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
Do I Need Probate?
In Oregon, estates with personal property of $75,000ORS 114.510Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less use the Simple Estate AffidavitORS 114.510Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysORS 114.510Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, a court filing short of full probate.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Oregon, a surviving spouse takes the entire estateORS § 112.025Verified Oct 21, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per capita with representationORS § 112.065Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Oregon costs an estimated $24,214ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2%Modeled estimate under ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.2%Modeled estimate under ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Oregon Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Clackamas County.
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