Overview
Hood River County is located in Oregon with a population of approximately 23,764. The Hood River 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 113. 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 procedure known as a Simple Estate Affidavit for estates valued at $275,000 or less (with no more than $200,000 in real property and $75,000 in personal property).
Filing fees in Oregon are determined by the value of the estate. For example, the filing fee for a petition for appointment of a personal representative starts at $278 for estates under $50,000 and increases for larger estates.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Hood River 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
Hood River County Circuit Court
Probate matters in Hood River County are handled at the Hood River County Courthouse.
Address: 309 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031
Phone: 541-386-3535 (Probate Department)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM (closed for lunch)
The courthouse is a historic building located in downtown Hood River. The Circuit Court is part of the 7th Judicial District of Oregon.
Parking and Access
Street parking is available around the courthouse. The building is accessible to the public, but visitors must pass through security screening.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Simple 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 simplified affidavit.
- Survivorship Estates: Assets held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship pass directly to the surviving owner.
- 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 Hood River County Circuit Court. Include:
- Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative
- Original Last Will and Testament (if applicable)
- Certified Death Certificate
- Filing fee (e.g., $278 for estates under $50,000; fees increase with estate value)
- Information on Heirs/Devisees
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys via OJD eFile; self-represented litigants may file in person or by mail.
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 Hood River County (such as the Columbia Gorge News) once each week for three consecutive weeks.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court will review the petition. If approved, the judge issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. Formal hearings are not always required if the petition is uncontested.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify creditors (claims must be presented within 4 months of publication)
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 60 days
- Pay valid creditor claims
- File federal and state tax returns as needed
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- File a final accounting and petition for discharge
Local Requirements
Hood River County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Mandatory for active members of the Oregon State Bar; optional for self-represented parties.
- Local Rules: Refer to the 7th Judicial District Supplementary Local Rules (SLR), particularly Chapter 9 regarding probate and adoption proceedings.
- Mediation: The court may refer certain contested probate matters to mediation.
- Publication: Notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Hood River County for three consecutive weeks.
Always check with the court clerk for the most current local forms and procedural requirements.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Hood River County)
- Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative: Starts at $278 (varies by estate value)
- Simple Estate Affidavit: $124
- Certified copies of Letters: $5 plus $0.25 per page
- Publication costs: approximately $150-$300 depending on the newspaper
- Guardianship/Conservatorship: Varies by asset value
Oregon allows reasonable compensation for personal representatives and attorneys, often based on a percentage of the estate or hourly rates approved by the court.
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards (Visa/Mastercard/Discover). Credit card payments may incur a convenience fee.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (no disputes, limited assets): 6-9 months
- Average estates: 9-15 months
- Complex or contested estates: 18 months to 2+ years
Timelines are affected by the 4-month creditor claim period and the speed of asset liquidation and tax processing.
Local Resources
Hood River County Court Resources
- Court Website: courts.oregon.gov
- Probate Self-Help: Oregon Judicial Department Self-Help Forms
- Oregon Probate Forms: OJD Forms Center
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Oregon State Bar: 503-684-3763 (or toll-free 800-452-7636) — Lawyer Referral Service
- Legal Aid Services of Oregon: (503) 224-4086 — Low-income legal assistance
- Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral: osbar.org
Publication
- Columbia Gorge News: 541-386-1234 — General circulation newspaper
- Columbia Community Connection: (Contact via website) — Local news source