Most Multnomah County estate questions come down to one fork: avoid probate before a death, or work through it after one. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the Circuit Court.
Filing probate at the Circuit Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Multnomah County→Keep a Multnomah County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Multnomah 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 Multnomah County, probate runs through the Circuit Court at 1200 SW 1st Avenue, Portland. The court sits in the 4th Judicial District.
Full Multnomah Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Multnomah County · 4th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Office Record
Multnomah County
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
$86 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page.
Full recording details →Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
The Circuit Court for Multnomah County is located in Portland, Oregon. Full address, phone, hours, and e-filing details are listed on this page.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys in Multnomah County, but families handling probate without an attorney are exempt. Self-represented filers can submit paper documents at the Circuit Court in person or by mail.
Yes. The Circuit Court offers a self-help center where staff review paperwork and explain filing procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on a specific case. Call 971-236-8670 for details.
No. Oregon allows estates under $75,000 to use a Simple Estate Affidavit and skip formal probate. The waiting period is 30 days after death. Use the Oregon probate decision tool to see if the estate qualifies.
When there is no will, Oregon's intestate succession rules decide who inherits. Spouses, children, and parents are prioritized in that order. The Multnomah County probate court applies the state rules without variation. See who inherits in Oregon for the exact order.
A revocable living trust is the cleanest way for most families to skip probate entirely. Assets titled to the trust pass to beneficiaries without court involvement, filing fees, or the Multnomah County probate docket. Create a revocable trust online to avoid putting your family through this process later.
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Multnomah County.
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Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Multnomah County.