Estate Planning for Umatilla County, Oregon Property Owners

For most Umatilla County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a Umatilla County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court. The two tools that keep a Umatilla County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Skipping this planning step means the Circuit Court decides who receives the property: a simple Oregon probate takes 4+ months and opens with $278 in court filing fees.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Umatilla County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Umatilla County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Clerk during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, an Oregon transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentORS 93.948 to 93.979Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathORS 93.948 to 93.979Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Create a OregonTOD deed →Umatilla Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Umatilla County are recorded with the County Clerk at 216 SE 4th Street, Room 116, Pendleton, OR 97801. Phone: 541-278-6236. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (recording accepted until 4:30 PM).

The County Clerk charges $96 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $101 to record in Umatilla County.

Umatilla County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Umatilla County

Address

216 SE 4th Street, Room 116Pendleton, OR 97801

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (recording accepted until 4:30 PM)

E-recording

Available via Simplifile
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$96
Each additional page$5

ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A); ORS 205.323(1)

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Umatilla County

FirmLa Grande, OR

Baum Smith LLC

Serves 4 counties

Baum Smith LLC is a La Grande law firm representing individuals, businesses, and public-sector clients across Eastern Oregon, with practice areas including estate planning, civil litigation, municipal law, eminent domain, criminal defense, and real estate and land use. The firm serves Union, Wallowa, Baker, and Umatilla counties.

PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawCivil LitigationMunicipal LawReal Estate

Office
808 Adams AveLa Grande, OR 97850
Free consultation

FirmLa Grande, OR

Centennial Law LLC

Serves 4 counties

Centennial Law LLC serves Eastern Oregon from its La Grande office, focusing on trusts and estates, estate planning, probate, and trust administration, along with guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. Attorney Glenn Null brings more than 20 years of Oregon practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipand 2 more

Office
1602 6th StreetLa Grande, OR 97850

FirmHermiston, OR

Clooten Law, LLC

Since 2013 · Serves 2 counties

Clooten Law is a family-owned firm with offices in Hermiston and Pendleton serving Umatilla County. Established in 2013, the firm prepares estate planning documents including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance medical directives, and also handles probate, family law, and bankruptcy.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateWills

Office
230 SE 4th StHermiston, OR 97838

FirmPendleton, OR

Grable Hantke Law Group, LLC

Serves 3 counties

Grable Hantke Law Group is a Pendleton firm serving Eastern Oregon with estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate, alongside elder law and family law. Attorney Seth Hantke focuses on elder law, including guardianships, conservatorships, and trust and estate matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 3 more

Office
334 SE 2nd StPendleton, OR 97801

FirmPendleton, OR

Corey, Byler & Rew, L.L.P.

Since 1945

Works from Pendleton across Eastern Oregon and southeast Washington, including the Umatilla, Morrow, and Union county courts. Handles estate, trust, and probate matters alongside the agricultural and real estate work that shapes farm and ranch estates. Established 1945, and one of the largest firms in the region.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateAgricultural LawReal Estate

Office
222 SE Dorion AvePendleton, OR 97801

FirmHermiston, OR

Anderson Hansell PC

Since 1976

Anderson Hansell PC has served the Hermiston area since 1976, providing estate planning and probate services for farms, ranches, businesses, and individuals throughout Eastern Oregon. The firm assists clients with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, tax planning, probate, and trust administration.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateAgricultural LawBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
475 E Main StreetHermiston, OR 97838
See all 10 firms serving Umatilla County→

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.

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