For most Clackamas County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.
For a Clackamas County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court. The two tools that keep a Clackamas County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Clackamas County property passes through the Circuit Court — even simple Oregon probates run 4+ months and start with $278 in filing fees.
A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Clackamas County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Clerk during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.
Before recording, an Oregon transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentORS 93.948 to 93.979Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathORS 93.948 to 93.979Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Deeds and other real property documents for Clackamas County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Catherine McMullen, at 1710 Red Soils Court, Suite 110, Oregon City, OR 97045. Phone: 503-655-8551. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (recording accepted until 4:30 PM).
The County Clerk charges $113 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Clackamas County comes to $118.
Clackamas County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Clackamas County · County Clerk · Catherine McMullen
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $113 |
| Each additional page | $5 |
ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A); ORS 205.323(1)
Verified September 8, 2026 · Source
Solo PracticeTigard, OR
Kirkendall Law, LLC is the Tigard solo practice of attorney Valerie Ingram Kirkendall, who holds a certificate of mastery in Taxation and has over 20 years of Oregon practice. The firm focuses on estate planning, wills, trusts, probate administration, guardianships, and conservatorships.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipand 2 more
Solo PracticeOregon City, OR
The Law Office of Wendell L. Belknap is a solo practice in downtown Oregon City handling probate, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives, alongside real estate, family law, and personal injury matters for Clackamas County clients.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateFamily Lawand 2 more
FirmPortland, OR
Caress Law offers a full suite of probate and trust administration services, including trust and estate administration, asset distribution, and tax returns for Portland area clients.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate
FirmPortland, OR
Gevurtz Menashe has been at the forefront of estate planning in the Pacific Northwest for more than four decades, counseling countless clients to ensure their affairs are in order. The firm serves clients in Portland and Vancouver.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Law
FirmPortland, OR
Kell, Alterman & Runstein has provided personalized and effective trust and estate counsel to a diverse clientele in Portland, Oregon, and nationally for more than 80 years.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation
FirmPortland, OR
Serves Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties from Southwest Portland. Handles wills and trusts, probate and trust administration, elder law, and Medicaid and long-term care planning, including planning for a family member already in care. Practicing over 35 years.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawMedicaid Planning
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Data sourced from Oregon statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for Oregon.
Forms and tools for property owners in Clackamas County.
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Create a free, state-specific will with witness and notarization requirements included.
Transfer assets to your existing trust. State execution requirements included.
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate.
Designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Designate someone to manage your financial affairs.
Answer questions about your estate size, real estate ownership, marital status, and family situation to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone. Includes estimated probate costs for your state.
Answer questions about your property type, ownership structure, and estate plan to see if a TOD deed is the right approach. Includes state-specific availability, signing requirements, and recording fees.
Compare trusts vs wills for your specific situation. See probate costs, trust administration expenses, and whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures based on your state and estate value.
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
Estate planning articles for Oregon.
