What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate in Oregon?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for the Oregon estate inventory — what furniture, electronics, and appliances would sell for today, not what was paid.
Personal property in Oregon is valued at fair market value: what the item would sell for on the open market as of the date of death, not what it cost. Most household goods (furniture, electronics, clothing) resell for a small fraction of their purchase price. Art, collectibles, jewelry and other high-value items are valued by a professional appraisal. Oregon lets the executor value most property without a formal appraisalORS 113.165, ORS 113.175Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, though a valuable item still warrants a qualified appraiser.
No. An executor in Oregon can group low-value household goods into a single inventory line, such as "household furnishings and personal effects", while jewelry, art, vehicles and collectibles are listed individually. Each value is fair market value as of the date of death.
In Oregon, the executor files the estate inventory within 90 daysORS 113.165, ORS 113.175Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment. Oregon requires a supplemental inventory for assets discovered laterORS 113.165, ORS 113.175Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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. The test is the value of the personal property, so an inventory at fair market value is what decides eligibility.
High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry and collectibles are appraised by a qualified professional, while ordinary household items (furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing) are valued from comparable sales. Oregon lets the executor value most property without a formal appraisalORS 113.165, ORS 113.175Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, though a valuable item still warrants a qualified appraiser.
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Oregon
Free forms for settling an estate in Oregon: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Notice to Creditors
In Oregon, the notice to creditors is published for 1ORS §§ 113.155, 115.003, 115.005, 115.125Verified Oct 19, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 4 monthsORS 115.005Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Oregon, a person named as personal representative may renounce the right to serveORS 113.085(1)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Estate Inventory
In Oregon, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysORS 113.165, ORS 113.175Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Oregon, the personal representative is discharged by court orderORS 116.113, ORS 116.213, ORS 116.208(4)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required unless it is waived.
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 inheritance taxes.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
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 non-jurisdictional property, exclusive of life insurance proceeds, reportable for Oregon or federal estate tax; + reasonable for extraordinary services)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Oregon, the Circuit Court appoints the personal representative and the Circuit court issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the court.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Oregon, creditors have 4 monthsORS 115.005Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Oregon pays the claims in 14ORS 115.125Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with support of spouse and children (subject to ORS 114.065 limits).
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
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%ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.2%ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Hire an Oregon Probate Attorney
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Oregon Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Oregon probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.