Estate administration — settling an estate, step by step.
When it falls to you to settle a loved one's estate, the law hands you duties — to the court, to the creditors, and to the other heirs. You don't have to learn them alone. We guide personal representatives through each step, in plain language, in English or Spanish.
What administering an estate involves
In an Oregon probate under ORS chapter 113, the court appoints a personal representative. That person gathers the assets, notifies creditors, pays valid debts and taxes, and distributes what remains to the beneficiaries — with clear accounting to the court along the way.
We help personal representatives meet each duty correctly and on time, and avoid the missteps that turn into conflict between family members or problems with the court.
Estate Administration questions
What does a personal representative have to do?
Under ORS chapter 113, the personal representative gathers and safeguards the estate's assets, notifies creditors and heirs, pays valid debts and taxes, accounts to the court, and distributes what remains to the beneficiaries. We keep the checklist and the deadlines so nothing gets missed.
Does every estate have to go through full probate?
No. Some assets pass outside probate — life insurance with a named beneficiary, retirement accounts, joint accounts with right of survivorship, and assets in a properly funded living trust — and smaller estates may qualify for the small-estate affidavit under ORS 114.515 instead. We look at the whole picture first and tell you which path the law requires.
What mistakes cause problems for personal representatives?
The common ones are distributing property before debts and claims are resolved, missing court deadlines, and thin record-keeping. Correct notices and clear accounting protect both the estate and you — that is much of what we handle.