What Probate Covers in Washington County
Probate is the court process for settling a person's estate after death and for protecting people who cannot manage their own affairs. In Washington County, probate is a program area inside the Circuit Court, not a separate elected court. It handles wills admitted to probate, full estate administration, small estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. The same court program also deals with fiduciary appointments, inventories, accountings, creditor notices, and the final distribution of property. Because probate runs through the Circuit Court, probate records are court records and follow court rules for access and copies.
Oregon law sets the framework for probate across several chapters. ORS chapter 111 covers probate jurisdiction and general provisions. ORS chapter 114 covers estate administration and small estates. ORS chapter 125 covers protective proceedings, including guardianships and conservatorships. These chapters control who may file, what notices go out, and how an estate or protected-person case closes.
The local probate program page on the Oregon courts site is the official starting point for Washington County.
That page links the local probate program to the broader Washington County Circuit Court services.
Probate Terms Defined
Probate filings use words that trip up first-time readers. A short glossary helps before you open a case file. These terms show up across most Washington County probate records, from a simple will to a contested estate.
- Testator
- The person who made the will.
- Executor
- The person named in a will to manage and settle the estate, also called a personal representative.
- Intestate
- Dying without a valid will, which means state law decides how the estate is divided.
- Guardian
- A person the court appoints to make personal or health decisions for someone who cannot.
- Conservator
- A person the court appoints to manage another person's money and property.
- Small estate
- A simpler process for an estate under set value limits, often handled by affidavit.
How to Search Washington County Probate Records
Probate cases are searched through the Oregon Judicial Department record tools, the same system used for other Circuit Court files. Use the free Circuit and Tax Record Search and select Washington County Circuit Court when a location filter appears. Search by the decedent or protected person's name, the fiduciary's name, or the case number. Some documents are viewable online, while others must be requested from the court.
- Open the OJD Circuit and Tax Record Search from the state records and calendar page.
- Choose to search by name or by case number.
- Select Washington County Circuit Court if a court or location filter is offered.
- Enter the decedent, protected person, petitioner, or fiduciary name, or the exact case number.
- Open a matching result to review the case number, type, parties, and docket entries.
- Request copies from Washington County Circuit Court records if a document is not available online.
The fields below mirror the probate search options on the state portal.
| Field Label | Type | Required | Notes / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Number | Text | No | Exact probate case number works best. |
| Last Name / Business Name | Text | No | Decedent, protected person, petitioner, or fiduciary. |
| First Name | Text | No | Narrows person results. |
| Court | Dropdown | No | Select Washington County Circuit Court. |
| Case Type | Dropdown | No | Probate, estate, guardianship, or conservatorship if exposed. |
The Probate Program in Washington County
Probate cases in Washington County are filed and heard at the main courthouse in downtown Hillsboro. The probate program shares the building with the rest of the Circuit Court, so the public counter, filing, and copy requests all run through the same location. The Trial Court Administrator is Richard E. Moellmer. Use the contact card below for filing, hearings, and in-person record requests.
Washington County Circuit Court, Probate Program
145 NE 2nd Avenue
Hillsboro, OR 97124
503-846-8888
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Note: The court closes for lunch each weekday, so plan a visit before noon or after 1:00 p.m. to reach the counter.
Probate Filing Fees
Probate filing fees in Oregon are set by the statewide court fee schedule, and the amount depends on the type of case and the value of the estate. Copies and certified copies of probate documents are requested through the court and follow the same schedule. Fees change over time, so confirm the current amount before you file or order. A fee deferral or waiver may be available for people who cannot afford a filing fee.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Probate or estate filing | Varies by case and estate value; see OJD Court Fees |
| Small estate affidavit | Set by the OJD fee schedule |
| Guardianship or conservatorship filing | Set by the OJD fee schedule |
| Certified copies | Set by the OJD fee schedule; request through the court |
| Fee deferral or waiver | May be available for eligible filers |
The current probate amounts are published on the statewide OJD Court Fees page.
How to File a Probate Case
Opening a probate case follows a set order. First, figure out whether the estate qualifies for the simpler small-estate path or needs full administration. Small estates under set value limits often use an affidavit instead of a full case. The chapter 114 rules govern that choice.
- Decide whether the estate qualifies for a small estate under ORS chapter 114 or needs formal probate.
- File the right petition or affidavit with Washington County Circuit Court.
- Submit the death certificate, the will if there is one, and the proposed fiduciary documents.
- Pay the filing fee or ask for a deferral or waiver if eligible.
- Give notice to heirs, devisees, creditors, and other interested persons as the law requires.
- File the inventory and any required accountings.
- Resolve creditor claims and distribute the assets.
- File the final accounting and closing documents to end the case.
The chapter 114 estate-administration text sits on the Oregon Legislature site.
That chapter sets the small-estate limits and the steps a personal representative must follow.
What Washington County Probate Records Show
A probate file builds a paper trail of how an estate or protected-person case moved through the court. It can hold the petition, the will, the order appointing a personal representative, the inventory of assets, accountings, creditor notices, and the final distribution. Guardianship and conservatorship files add reports on the protected person's care and finances. The docket, or register of actions, lists each filing and order in date order, which is the fastest way to follow the case.
Probate jurisdiction and the general rules come from chapter 111, which sits on the Oregon Legislature site.
That chapter explains the court's authority over estates and protected-person matters in Washington County.
Restricted Probate Records
Not every probate detail is open to the public. Guardianship and conservatorship cases can include medical, financial, and vulnerable-person information, so access is often more limited than a routine estate file. The protective-proceeding rules under chapter 125 shape what stays private. Personal identifiers like Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted, and a judge may seal part of a file.
The chapter 125 protective-proceedings text is posted on the Oregon Legislature site.
That chapter governs guardianships and conservatorships, where protected-person privacy can limit public access.