Estate Planning & Probate in Lane County, Oregon
Lane 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 Lane 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 Lane County →Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Lane County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Lane County →The Probate Process in Lane 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 Lane County, probate runs through the Circuit Court at 125 East 8th Avenue, Eugene. The court sits in the 2nd Judicial District.
Full Lane County probate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Lane County Circuit Court
Lane County · 2nd Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Files probate
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Lane County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Lane County · Deeds & Records
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Recording fee
E-recording
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Vital Records Office Record
County Registrar
Lane County · Lane County Vital Records
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Certified copies
Certified copy fee
Full death certificate details →
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Medical Examiner
Lane County · Lane County Death Investigations Division
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Full coroner or medical examiner details →
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the Circuit Court
Protective proceeding hearings before the Probate Commissioner, and hearings on objections to a final estate account, are set on Mondays; a hearing expected to run past two hours goes on the trial docket.
The Lane County Law Library in the courthouse basement is open to the public and holds publications on probate and the Oregon Revised Statutes.
Probate matters that need the probate judge's authorization, approval or signature are filed with the court clerk's office. Ex parte orders and judgments in estates, guardianships and conservatorships may be filed at any time without the fiduciary's attorney appearing. A late or deficient required filing draws a courtesy notice to the attorney of record, and if it is not corrected in the time the notice sets the court sets a status hearing requiring a personal appearance. Where a bond is posted, the surety is notified of a resignation or substitution of attorney, with proof to the court.
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 Lane County.
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