Overview
Coos County is located in Oregon with a population of approximately 64,326. The Coos County Circuit Court handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Oregon probate is governed by Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 111 through 118. The process begins with filing a Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters Testamentary for testate estates or Letters of Administration for intestate estates.
Oregon offers a simplified "Small Estate" proceeding for estates valued at $275,000 or less (with no more than $200,000 in real property and $75,000 in personal property). This involves filing a Small Estate Affidavit rather than a full probate petition.
Oregon does not have a statutory fee schedule for attorneys or personal representatives based on a percentage of the estate; fees must be reasonable and are subject to court approval.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Coos County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
Coos County Circuit Court
Probate matters in Coos County are handled at the Coos County Courthouse.
Address: 250 N Baxter St, Coquille, OR 97423
Phone: (541) 396-8372 (Probate Department)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM; Thursdays closed 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM)
The Probate Department is responsible for processing all estate, guardianship, and conservatorship filings.
Parking and Access
Street parking is available around the courthouse, particularly on Adams Street and 3rd Street. Public transportation is available via Coos County Area Transit (CCAT), which has stops near the courthouse in Coquille.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Estate Affidavit: If the estate is valued at $275,000 or less (max $200,000 real property / $75,000 personal property), you may file a Small Estate Affidavit 30 days after death.
- Survivorship/Beneficiary Designations: Assets held in joint tenancy or with named beneficiaries (POD/TOD) pass outside probate.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file a Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative with the Coos County Circuit Court. Include:
- Petition for Probate
- Original will and codicils (if any)
- Certified death certificate
- Filing fee (approx. $263)
- Limited Judgment Appointing Personal Representative
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys and optional for self-represented litigants in Oregon circuit courts.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the hearing to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties.
- Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in Coos County (such as The World) for three consecutive weeks.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court will review the petition. Many probate petitions in Oregon are handled administratively without a formal hearing unless objections are filed. If approved, the court issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify creditors and heirs (creditors have 4 months to file claims)
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 60-90 days
- Pay valid creditor claims and administrative expenses
- File federal and state tax returns as needed
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- File a General Judgment of Distribution and final accounting
Local Requirements
Coos County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Mandatory for attorneys via File & Serve Oregon; optional for pro se filers.
- Bond requirements: A bond is typically required unless the will waives it or all heirs/devisees sign a waiver.
- Local court rules: Coos County follows the Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR) and Supplementary Local Rules (SLR). Check SLR Chapter 9 for specific probate rules.
- Publication: Notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Coos County for three consecutive weeks.
Consult the Coos County Circuit Court Supplementary Local Rules for specific filing requirements regarding exhibits and proposed orders.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Coos County)
- Petition for Probate: approximately $263
- Small Estate Affidavit: approximately $124
- Certified copies of Letters: approximately $5.00 + $0.25 per page
- Publication costs: approximately $100-$300 depending on the newspaper
- Response/Objection: varies based on estate value
Oregon law requires attorney and executor fees to be "reasonable" based on services provided, rather than a fixed percentage of the estate.
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). Convenience fees may apply for card payments.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (no disputes, limited assets): 6-9 months
- Average estates: 9-12 months
- Complex or contested estates: 12 months to 2 years
Creditors have 4 months from the date of first publication to file claims, which sets a minimum duration for the process.
Local Resources
Coos County Court Resources
- Court Website: courts.oregon.gov/courts/coos
- Probate Self-Help: courts.oregon.gov/help
- Oregon Probate Forms: courts.oregon.gov/forms
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Oregon State Bar Referral Service: (503) 684-3763 — osbar.org
- Oregon Law Center (Coos Bay): (541) 269-1226 — Legal aid for low-income residents
- Legal Aid Services of Oregon: lasoregon.org
Publication
- The World: (541) 269-1222 — theworldlink.com