Probate in Clatsop County runs through the Circuit Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Clatsop County, settling their estate runs through the Circuit Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
Clatsop County · 18th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Accepted paymentCash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card. Credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), cash, check, or money order at the courthouse customer service windows; also by phone, by mail (PO Box 835), or online via OJD Courts ePay.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 835, Astoria, OR 97103. Court closed 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM the first Wednesday of each month for staff meetings.
Verified July 4, 2026 · Source
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 Clatsop County, probate runs through the Circuit Court at 749 Commercial Street, Astoria. The court sits in the 18th Judicial District.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Oregon intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Oregon estates take 6 months to 12 months to move through this process. The 4 monthsORS 115.005Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What probate costs in Clatsop County, Oregon comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Circuit Court at 749 Commercial Street, Astoria. The court is part of the 18th Judicial District.
Oregon charges $278 - $1,176 (based on estate value)ORS 21.170(1)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the Circuit Court (https://www.courts.oregon.gov/services/online/Pages/file-and-serve.aspx). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Oregon are negotiated, typically 2%ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.2%ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is also statutory in Oregon. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Oregon requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%ORS 113.105Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Oregon typically runs 6 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
If you're handling probate yourself in Clatsop County, Oregon, you can file at the Circuit Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms. The court sits in the 18th Judicial District.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Clatsop County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
View E-Filing InformationPaper Filing Required For
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Circuit Court is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Clatsop County Self-Filing Assessment.
Before You Go
Cash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card. Credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), cash, check, or money order at the courthouse customer service windows; also by phone, by mail (PO Box 835), or online via OJD Courts ePay.
To file at the Circuit Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Clerk.
Deeds and other real property documents for Clatsop County are recorded with the County Clerk at 820 Exchange Street, Suite 220, Astoria, OR 97103. Phone: 503-325-8511. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (recording accepted until 4:30 PM).
The County Clerk charges $107 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page.
Clatsop County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Clatsop County
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $107 |
| Each additional page | $5 |
ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A); ORS 205.323(1)
Verified September 8, 2026 · Source
Oregon uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Clatsop County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in Oregon are based on reasonable compensation — typically 2%ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.2%ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Clatsop County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Circuit Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
FirmSeaside, OR
Seaside Attorneys (formerly Moberg & Rust) is a general-practice firm serving the north Oregon Coast since 1974. Practice areas include estate planning, wills and trusts, probate and trust administration, elder law, real estate, and business law.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 3 more
Solo PracticeAstoria, OR
Blair Henningsgaard has practiced law in Astoria since 1983, serving the North Oregon Coast with estate planning, probate, real estate, and business law. A former Clatsop County Commissioner and Astoria City Attorney, he has appeared in courts throughout Oregon including the Oregon Supreme Court and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawCivil LitigationReal Estate
FirmTillamook, OR
Albright Kittell PC is the longest-standing law firm in Tillamook County, focusing on building and protecting client legacies through estate planning, probate, wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipand 2 more
FirmGearhart, OR
Coast Family Law provides personalized estate planning services to clients on the Oregon Coast, including Clatsop, Tillamook, and Lincoln counties. Services include wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, and advance directives.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateFamily LawWills
FirmCoos Bay, OR
Costello Law Office has provided professional legal services in Coos Bay since 1977. The firm offers experienced counsel in estate planning, probate, family law, and small business law. Attorney Karen L. Costello serves as City Attorney for Coquille and Associate Judge for the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateFamily Law
FirmNewport, OR
Newport Law provides thoughtful and dependable legal services for individuals and families on the Oregon Coast. The firm focuses on guiding clients through estate planning, estate administration, family law, and landlord-tenant matters with skill and sensitivity.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateFamily Law
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.
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Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.
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Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
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This tool provides general information about self-filing probate and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
Step-by-step tools for families in Clatsop County, Oregon.
Get a personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away. Covers trust administration, probate, and intestate estates.
Get a personalized plan for settling a trust after the grantor passes away. Covers beneficiary notification, asset transfers, creditor handling, taxes, and distributions.
Get a score-based recommendation on whether self-filing probate is right for your situation. See estimated savings vs. hiring an attorney and get a step-by-step checklist.
Browse vetted Oregon attorneys handling probate matters.
