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What to Do When Someone Dies in Columbia County, Oregon
How probate works in Columbia County: the Circuit Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Columbia County Circuit Court
Columbia County · 19th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM; Friday 8:30 AM-1:00 PM (front counter)
Office
230 Strand Street, Saint Helens, OR 97051
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
E-filing
Required for attorneysAttorneys file through OJD eFile. A self-represented filer may file on paper at the counter or register for a free individual eFile account, and most courthouses have an eFiling kiosk during business hours. On paper: Self-represented filers are not required to e-file: the rule binds active Oregon State Bar licensees (UTCR 21.140); An original will is filed in its original form; when an image of it is e-filed, the original follows on paper within seven business days (UTCR 21.070(3)(h)).
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe Oregon Judicial Department's statewide estate forms are the simple estate packet (the small estate affidavit) and the claim against an estate.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCash, Check, Credit card.The circuit court takes cash, checks and credit cards in person, checks by mail, and credit card payments by phone at 1-503-397-2327.
County forms
- Simple Estate Objection and Request for HearingAn objection to a small estate affidavit filed in Columbia County, with a request for a hearing.
Fax
1-503-397-3226
Departments
- Probate1-503-397-2327 · (ext. 24017) · columbia.probate@ojd.state.or.us
- Accounting1-503-397-2327 · (ext. 24007) · columbia.general@ojd.state.or.usThe financials desk handles payments and payment questions.
- Civil1-503-397-2327 · (ext. 24009) · columbia.civil@ojd.state.or.us
- RecordsCopies are requested at the courthouse during business hours or through the online records request form, and most requests are completed within 10 business days. Newer case records can be viewed on the lobby kiosks.
About the court
- The operator answers the main line Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Columbia 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 Columbia County, probate runs through the Circuit Court at 230 Strand Street, Saint Helens. The court sits in the 19th 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. Creditors have 4 monthsORS §§ 113.155, 115.003, 115.005, 115.125Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Columbia County
What probate costs in Columbia 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 230 Strand Street, Saint Helens. The court is part of the 19th Judicial District.
Procedures at this court that affect cost: The personal representative keeps the vouchers for every disbursement; Attorney fees paid from the estate are approved by the court on an itemized statement.
Oregon charges $278 - $1,176 (based on estate value)ORS 21.170(1)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Oregon are negotiated, typically 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 estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Oregon sets executor compensation by statute — about $10,630 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.1%ORS 116.173 (7% first $1K, 4% $1K-$10K, 3% $10K-$50K, 2% over $50K, on property subject to the court’s jurisdiction; 1% of other property reportable for estate tax; extraordinary services)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Oregon requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under 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.
How to File Probate at the Circuit Court
Probate cases in Columbia County, Oregon are filed at the Circuit Court. The court sits in the 19th Judicial District.
Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for Probate, Accounting, Civil, and Records.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Oregon has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Columbia County Self-Filing Assessment.
Columbia County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Court Appearances
A late filing not cured within 30 days of notice can bring an order to show cause
When a required filing is late, the court notifies the personal representative and the attorney of record. If it is not cured within 30 days of the notice, the court may order them to appear and show cause.
SourceWhat to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the Circuit Court: Original will and any codicils, with an affidavit of attesting witness or affidavit of genuine signature (ORS 113.055); Petition for appointment of personal representative stating decedent, venue, heirs/devisees, and nominee (ORS 113.035) — typed pleading, no statewide form; Proposed limited judgment of appointment of personal representative; Bond unless waived by the will or because the PR is the sole heir/devisee (ORS 113.105)ORS 113.035 (petition for appointment), 113.105 (bond), 113.125 (issuance of letters)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Columbia County
In Oregon a death is registered locally, and in Columbia County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Columbia County Clerk as well as by Oregon Health Authority - Center for Health Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
County Registrar
Columbia County · Columbia County Clerk
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Office
230 Strand Street, Columbia County Courthouse Annex, St. Helens, OR 97051
Website
Certified copies
At the counter
Fax
1-503-397-7266
Local rule
- In-person requests can be filled the same day. Payment is by check or money order payable to Columbia County Vital Statistics.
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $25 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Medical Examiner
Columbia County · Columbia County Medical Examiner's Division
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Columbia County
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 Columbia County are recorded with the County Clerk at 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051. Phone: 1-503-397-3796. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
The County Clerk charges $101 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page.
Columbia County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile and CSC.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Columbia County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Office
230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
Website
E-recording
available via Simplifile and CSC
Fees
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $101 |
| Each additional page | $5 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | No transfer tax applies to TOD deeds |
ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A); ORS 205.323(1)
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Columbia County
Oregon allows independent administrationORS 114.275Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so the personal representative manages, pays and distributes the estate without returning to the court for approval at each step. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Oregon are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Columbia 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.
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.
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.
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.
Myatt & Bell, P.C. has an estate planning legacy dating back to 1960 and has drafted thousands of wills and trusts. The firm practices estate planning, probate, trust administration, and elder law with offices in the Portland metro area and Vancouver, Washington.
Serves Clackamas County and the Portland metro from West Linn. Handles wills and trusts, probate, and trust administration, with three attorneys working exclusively in that area. The practice has run more than 50 years.
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.
Legal Sources
(9)·
- ORS §§ 113.155, 115.003, 115.005, 115.125
- ORS 113.035 (petition for appointment), 113.105 (bond), 113.125 (issuance of letters)
- ORS 114.275
- ORS 116.173 (7% first $1K, 4% $1K-$10K, 3% $10K-$50K, 2% over $50K, on property subject to the court’s jurisdiction; 1% of other property reportable for estate tax; extraordinary services)
- ORS 21.170(1)
- ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A); ORS 205.323(1)
- Columbia County Circuit Court, official page
- Columbia County Clerk, official page
- Columbia County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from Oregon statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Oregon
Free tools for settling an estate in Oregon: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines 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.
See the Steps
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.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
Oregon has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
Get the Answer
Hire an Oregon Probate Attorney
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