Serves Deschutes County and Central Oregon from Bend. Handles estate planning, trust drafting, probate administration, and guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, and reports more than 590 estates planned and 290 probate engagements.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Gilliam County, Oregon
How probate works in Gilliam County: the County Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Gilliam County Court
Gilliam County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-3:00 PM (County Clerk)
Office
221 South Oregon Street, Room 200, Condon, OR 97823
Website
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
Self-represented filing
AllowedAn heir, devisee or creditor may file a simple estate affidavit with the clerk on the statewide form the probate page links. The county's instructions call for an attorney to prepare and file the initial petition in a full probate.
P.O. Box 427
Condon, OR 97823
Fax
1-541-351-9491
Departments
- Circuit Court1-541-256-1008 · Monday-Friday 1:00 PM-4:00 PMThe circuit court hears an estate proceeding the county court transfers to it (ORS 111.115).
About the court
- Probate in Gilliam County is a county court matter: the County Judge has jurisdiction, and the County Clerk keeps the County Court's records and files. Both offices are in the Gilliam County Courthouse in Condon.
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Gilliam 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 Gilliam County, probate runs through the County Court at 221 South Oregon Street, Room 200, Condon. Unlike most Oregon probate courts, which accept electronic filing, Gilliam County remains one of 6 counties that file on paper.
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 Gilliam County
What probate costs in Gilliam 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 County Court at 221 South Oregon Street, Room 200, Condon.
Procedures at this court that affect cost: The County Clerk publishes its own probate filing fee schedule, paid when the petition or affidavit is filed.
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 County Court
Probate cases in Gilliam County are filed at the County Court. File in person during business hours or by mail.
Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Circuit Court.
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 Gilliam County Self-Filing Assessment.
Gilliam County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Probate papers are mailed to the County Clerk or delivered to the County Court offices.
The clerk's probate page asks for county court probate documents by mail, and the County Court offices also take probate filings by hand delivery at the courthouse in Condon.
SourceDocument Requirements
A filing carries a certified copy of the death certificate and, where there is a will, the original will.
A simple estate affidavit is filed with a certified copy of the death certificate, and with the original will where there is one. A petition for a full probate is filed with the same documents.
SourceWhat to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the County 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 Gilliam County
In Oregon a death is registered locally, and in Gilliam County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Gilliam County Clerk as well as by Oregon Health Authority - Center for Health Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
County Registrar
Gilliam County · Gilliam County Clerk
Phone
Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Office
221 South Oregon Street, Room 200, Condon, OR 97823
Website
P.O. Box 427
Condon, OR 97823
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $25 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
District Medical Examiner
Gilliam County · Gilliam County Medical Examiner
Phone
Serves this county
Hood River County Medical Examiner
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Gilliam 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 Gilliam County are recorded with the County Clerk at 221 South Oregon Street, Room 200, Condon, OR 97823. Phone: 1-541-351-9490. Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-3:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 427, Condon, OR 97823.
The County Clerk charges $86 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page.
Gilliam County accepts electronic recording through ePN, CSC, Hopdox, Indecomm, Simplifile and ValueCheck.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Gilliam County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Office
221 South Oregon Street, Room 200, Condon, OR 97823
Website
P.O. Box 427
Condon, OR 97823
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $86 |
| 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 Gilliam 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 Gilliam County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the County 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.
Bend firm serving Deschutes County and Central Oregon. Handles wills, trusts, and probate, and reviews plans for clients who move to Oregon so their existing documents meet Oregon requirements.
Serves the Mid-Columbia region on both sides of the river from The Dalles, covering Wasco and Hood River counties in Oregon and Klickitat County in Washington. Handles estate planning, probate, elder law, and business and farm succession, including passing down a family farm. The practice traces to 1917.
Serves Bend, Redmond, La Pine, and the rest of Deschutes County from Bend. Handles wills and trusts, probate, trust administration, and estate and gift tax, plus elder law including VA long-term care planning, guardianships, and conservatorships. Practicing in Central Oregon since 1995.
Serves Deschutes County from Bend. Structures revocable and irrevocable trusts, partnerships, LLCs, and charitable entities for estate tax planning and probate avoidance, and handles probate, blended-family planning, business succession, and digital-asset planning.
The Law Office of Paul Heatherman PC is the solo practice of attorney Paul Heatherman, focused on estate planning, real estate, and business law for Bend-area clients. Since 1995, Paul Heatherman has helped Central Oregon families implement effective estate plans including trusts, wills, financial powers of attorney, medical directives, and transfer-on-death deeds.
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)
- Gilliam County Court, official page
- Gilliam County Clerk, official page
- Gilliam 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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