Overview
Washington County is located in Oregon with a population of approximately 611,000. The Washington 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 ORS Chapter 111 through 118. The process begins with filing a Petition for Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative (for testate estates) or a Petition for Administration (for intestate estates). The court then issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Oregon offers a simplified procedure known as a Simple Estate Affidavit (or Small Estate Affidavit) for estates valued at $275,000 or less (with specific sub-limits of $75,000 for personal property and $200,000 for real property). This process avoids full probate and can be filed 30 days after death.
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 often based on hourly rates or a fixed fee approved by the court.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Washington 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
Washington County Circuit Court
Probate matters in Washington County are handled by the Probate Department located in the Justice Services Building.
Probate Department Address: 150 N 1st Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97124 (First Floor)
Phone: 503-846-8888 (Probate Department)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM)
The Probate Department is part of the Civil Division. The court handles wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available in designated lots near the courthouse and on surrounding streets. Be mindful of time limits on street parking. Security screening is required for entry into the courthouse building.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Simple Estate Affidavit: If the estate consists of $75,000 or less in personal property and $200,000 or less in real property (total limit $275,000), you may file a Small Estate Affidavit 30 days after death.
- Non-Probate Transfers: Assets with designated beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts) or held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship pass outside of 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 Probate with the Washington County Circuit Court. Include:
- Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative
- Original will and codicils (if any)
- Certified death certificate
- Filing fee (varies by estate value)
- Limited Judgment Appointing Personal Representative
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys in Oregon circuit courts and available for self-represented litigants.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing and appointment, you must:
- Mail notice to heirs, devisees, and interested parties.
- Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in Washington County (such as the Daily Journal of Commerce or Hillsboro News-Times) for three consecutive weeks.
- Notify creditors and the Oregon Health Authority (Estate Administration Unit).
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
Formal probate in Oregon often does not require an initial hearing if the petition is uncontested. The judge reviews the documents and signs the judgment appointing the Personal Representative. If there are disputes, a hearing will be scheduled.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Wait for the creditor claim period to expire (4 months from first publication)
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 60-90 days
- Pay valid creditor claims and administrative expenses
- File federal and state tax returns
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- File a General Judgment of Distribution and a Supplemental Judgment of Discharge to close the estate
Local Requirements
Washington County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Mandatory for attorneys; optional for pro se litigants via OJD eFile.
- Bond requirements: A fiduciary bond is typically required unless waived by the will or by all beneficiaries/heirs.
- Local court rules: Washington County Supplementary Local Rules (SLR) Chapter 9 governs probate proceedings.
- Publication: Notice to interested persons must be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the county, such as the Daily Journal of Commerce or Hillsboro News-Times.
Consult the Washington County Circuit Court Probate Department for specific local forms or procedural checklists.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Washington County)
Filing fees are determined by the value of the estate (subject to change, verify with court):
- Small Estate Affidavit: $124
- Full Probate (Estate < $50,000): approximately $278
- Full Probate (Estate $50,000 - $1,000,000): approximately $596
- Full Probate (Estate $1,000,000 - $10,000,000): approximately $882
- Full Probate (Estate > $10,000,000): approximately $1,176
- Certified copies: $5.00 plus $0.25 per page
- Publication costs: approximately $100-$250 depending on the newspaper
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). Convenience fees apply for card payments.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (Small Estate Affidavit): 1-2 months (if no claims)
- Average formal probate: 6-9 months
- Complex or contested estates: 12 months to 2 years
The creditor claim period in Oregon is 4 months from the date of first publication, which sets a minimum duration for formal probate.
Local Resources
Washington County Court Resources
- Court Website: courts.oregon.gov/courts/washington
- Probate Department: courts.oregon.gov/courts/washington/programs-services/pages/probate.aspx
- State Probate Forms: courts.oregon.gov/forms
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Oregon State Bar Referral Service: 503-684-3763 — osbar.org
- Legal Aid Services of Oregon: 503-224-4086 — lasoregon.org
Publication
- Daily Journal of Commerce: 503-226-1311 — djcoregon.com
- Hillsboro News-Times: 503-543-6387 — hillsboronewstimes.com