Probate · Portland & Beaverton
Portland & Beaverton probate attorney
Steady guidance for personal representatives and families moving an Oregon estate through Circuit Court — from the first petition to closing.
- Steady support during a hard stretch
- Oregon probate explained in plain English
- Filings for Washington, Multnomah & Clackamas counties
Talk to a probate attorney
Tell us a little about your situation. We’ll follow up promptly.
Start with the right question
Not every Oregon estate needs a full probate
Before anything else, it is worth knowing which route the estate is on. That depends on what the person owned and how title was held — and it changes everything that follows.
The estate goes through Circuit Court
A personal representative is appointed, notice goes out, assets are inventoried, and claims are handled before anything is distributed. We handle the filings and track the deadlines with you.
- Petition filed and Letters issued by the court
- Information to Heirs and Devisees sent, notice published
- Inventory prepared and creditor claims handled
- Final accounting, distribution, and closing
A simpler route may apply
Assets passing by beneficiary designation, by survivorship, or through a trust generally transfer outside probate. Oregon also has a small estate affidavit procedure for estates under the statutory value limits.
- Reviewing what the person owned and how it was titled
- Identifying assets that pass outside the estate
- Whether a small estate affidavit fits your situation
- What to do if only part of the estate needs probate
We’ll tell you which route applies before you commit to anything.
Why Portland-area families work with Bryan
Clear, local, and steady from petition to closing
Steady support after a loss
You are handling this while grieving. We keep the legal side moving so you are not carrying it alone.
Probate in plain English
Court steps, personal representative duties, and deadlines explained without the legal shorthand.
Portland roots
Bryan Hedlind grew up in the Portland area and is admitted to practice law in Oregon.
What happens, in order
The path an Oregon estate follows
Probate runs in a fixed sequence, and most delays come from missing a step early. Here is the shape of it, and where we help.
Petition & appointment
The will, if there is one, is filed with the petition. The court appoints a personal representative and issues Letters — the document banks and title companies ask to see.
Notice
Information to Heirs and Devisees goes to interested persons. Notice is published, and known creditors receive direct notice.
Inventory
Estate assets are located, secured, valued as of the date of death, and reported to the court.
Creditor claim period
Creditors have four months from first publication to present claims. Valid claims are paid; questionable ones can be disallowed.
Taxes & expenses
Final income tax returns are handled, an Oregon estate tax return is filed if one is required, and administration expenses are paid from estate funds.
Accounting & closing
The personal representative accounts to the court and to interested persons. Once approved, remaining property is distributed and the estate closes.
Handling a loved one’s estate and unsure where to start? A short, no-pressure conversation can make the path clear.
Schedule your free consultationWhy families choose Hedlind Law
Informed clients make confident decisions
Most probate clients reach out during a difficult stretch. Our role is to make the process feel clear and manageable rather than one more thing to worry about.
- Direct attorney accessYou work with Bryan Hedlind from the first call through closing the estate.
- Plain-English explanationsWhat the court requires, when, and why it matters.
- Local Circuit Court filingsPrepared for Washington County in Hillsboro, Multnomah in Portland, or Clackamas in Oregon City.
- Responsive communicationYou are never left guessing where the estate stands.
What working with us looks like
We guide you through Oregon probate step by step, so you always know what just happened and what comes next.
You’ll leave your first conversation with a clearer picture of where the estate stands and what it will take to move it forward.
Common questions
No. Assets that pass by beneficiary designation, by survivorship, or through a trust generally transfer outside probate. Oregon also provides a simplified small estate affidavit procedure for estates that fall under the statutory value limits. Whether an estate qualifies depends on what the person owned and how title was held, which is one of the first things we review with you.
Oregon uses the term personal representative for the person the court appoints to administer an estate. Other states call this role executor or administrator. If there is a will, it usually nominates someone; the Circuit Court still has to appoint that person and issue Letters before they have authority to act.
Probate is handled by the Oregon Circuit Court in the county where the person lived. For the Portland metro that is most often Washington County in Hillsboro, Multnomah County in Portland, or Clackamas County in Oregon City. Each court has its own filing practices and scheduling, and we handle those filings on your behalf.
Oregon requires a four-month window for creditors to present claims after notice is published, so a full probate cannot close sooner than that. In practice, uncontested estates commonly run longer once the inventory, claims, tax matters, and final accounting are complete. Estates with real property, business interests, or disagreements among heirs take more time. We will give you a realistic estimate once we see the assets involved.
Several run from the date of appointment. Information to Heirs and Devisees generally goes out within 30 days, and the inventory of estate assets is generally due within 60 days. Notice to interested persons is published, and known creditors receive direct notice. Missing these steps can delay the estate or create personal exposure, which is a large part of why people bring in counsel.
Ask who will actually handle the file and whether you will be speaking with the attorney or with staff. Ask how the fee is structured and what is included. Ask whether the attorney regularly appears in the Circuit Court for your county. Then judge how clearly they explain the process in your first conversation, because that is a fair preview of how communication will go for the rest of the estate.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation
Confidential. No obligation. We’ll explain what Oregon probate requires and what comes next.
Get your bearings before the first filing
Understand where the estate stands
If you are handling a loved one’s estate, the first thing to sort out is whether probate is required at all, and if it is, what the court will expect from you. We’ll listen, explain what the personal representative role involves, and lay out the process in straightforward terms.
- A free, no-pressure consultation
- The process explained in plain language
- Washington, Multnomah & Clackamas counties
Attorney advertising. This page is advertising material. It is provided for general information only and is not legal advice.
Viewing this page, submitting the form, or calling does not create an attorney-client relationship. That relationship is formed only by a written agreement signed by both you and the firm.
Every estate is different. Descriptions of Oregon probate procedure on this page are general and may not apply to your situation. Do not act or delay acting on the basis of this page without speaking with an attorney about your circumstances.
Attorney responsible for the content of this advertisement: Bryan Hedlind, Hedlind Law, PLLC, 12725 SW Millikan Way, Suite 300, Beaverton, OR 97005. Bryan Hedlind is admitted to practice law in Oregon.