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Oregon Estate Planning Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for Oregon on
Q: How can my mother transfer my deceased father's truck title to her name in Oregon?

My father passed away in April with no will, leaving a truck titled solely in his name. He verbally expressed that he wanted me to have the truck, but we believe it's simpler for the title to be transferred first to my mother, his surviving spouse, in Oregon. I have power of attorney for my... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Oct 20, 2025

Your mother can transfer the vehicle to you via an Inheritance Affidavit at the DMV. Your father's heirs will need to sign the Affidavit (before a notary public). If your father's children are all from his wife, then she is the only one who needs to sign. If he has children from a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Oregon on
Q: Requirements for a valid personal will in Oregon, including notarization and signature rules.

In Oregon, what are the requirements for a personal will to be valid? Specifically, I would like to know if the will needs to be notarized and any requirements regarding signatures.

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Jun 18, 2025

ORS 112.225 requires the testator signing a Will to be over age 18 and of "sound mind."

According to Oregon law (ORS 112.235) a valid Will must be 1) signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses or acknowledged by the testator before two witnesses, and 2) signed by the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Public Benefits and Estate Planning for Oregon on
Q: Will a $10,000-$11,000 inheritance affect my SSDI in Oregon?

I currently receive SSDI benefits and am expecting an inheritance valued between $10,000 and $11,000. I plan to use the money to catch up on bills and potentially repair my truck. How might this inheritance impact my SSDI benefits, and are there any specific steps I should take to ensure compliance... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on May 29, 2025

SSDI is NOT needed based (no asset test) so it will not be affected by any inheritance.

If you were receiving SSI, which is needs based, you would need to quickly develop a strategy to spend your inheritance in such a way as to not impact your SSI.

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Oregon on
Q: How to update will and add husband to house title in Oregon?

I have a will and a house currently in a trust. Since remarrying, I want to update my will and ensure my husband is added to the house title, as I wish for him to inherit the house when I pass. I have not consulted a legal or financial advisor yet. My three children are beneficiaries in my will,... View More

Vincent J. Bernabei
Vincent J. Bernabei
answered on May 20, 2025

First, confirm that the deed to your home is in the name of your trust. If so, then you will need to amend your trust to add your husband as a trust beneficiary. If the deed to the home is not in the name of your trust, then you should transfer ownership to your trust, and then amend the trust to... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Oregon on
Q: How to update will and add husband to house title in Oregon?

I have a will and a house currently in a trust. Since remarrying, I want to update my will and ensure my husband is added to the house title, as I wish for him to inherit the house when I pass. I have not consulted a legal or financial advisor yet. My three children are beneficiaries in my will,... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on May 20, 2025

When you married your Will was automatically revoked so it is very important that you consult with your estate planning attorney to update your documents. When someone has a revocable living trust they also have a Will (we call it a Pourover Will) that directs all probate assets back into the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Contracts and Civil Litigation for Oregon on
Q: How to reverse unauthorized house sale by power of attorney sister?

My grandma, who lives in Arkansas, has her sister as her power of attorney. During COVID in 2020, her sister sold my grandma's house in Oregon without her permission or knowledge. The sale was made to the sister's son for their personal gain. My grandma, who is still alive, did not want... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on May 16, 2025

If the house sale happened five years ago it's unlikely you will be able to undo it. However, your grandmother could 1) revoke her Power of Attorney to her sister (be sure she informs sister of the revocation), 2) ask for Adult Protective Services to start an investigation into possible elder... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for Oregon on
Q: How to find out if I'm in my father's will after his death in Tillamook, Oregon?

How can I find out if I was included in my father's will? He passed away in Tillamook, Oregon, either in 2013 or 2018. I've checked with the courthouse probate records, but found nothing. After his death, my stepmother ceased communication with me and my sister and the rest of the family.... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on May 14, 2025

Unfortunately, there is no place that Oregon Wills are kept. If a probate had been filed then you would have found those records at the courthouse. It sounds like your father was married when he passed. It's possible that he did not own any probate assets because all of his assets were held... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Probate, Estate Planning, Business Law and Real Estate Law for Oregon on
Q: How do I find out if my late father had a will in Oregon and if anything was left to me?

I recently discovered that my father passed away in Oregon in 2022, but no one notified me. He was not married and had three surviving children, including myself. He owned a business, his home, and a vehicle. I've been in contact with his sister, who appears to be preparing to sell his house,... View More

Jim Boness
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answered on Apr 3, 2025

Under Oregon law, any person who has custody of a will is required to deliver it to the court with jurisdiction over the estate or to the personal representative named in the will within 30 days of learning of the testator's death. This ensures that wills are properly filed and accessible for... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Probate, Estate Planning, Business Law and Real Estate Law for Oregon on
Q: How do I find out if my late father had a will in Oregon and if anything was left to me?

I recently discovered that my father passed away in Oregon in 2022, but no one notified me. He was not married and had three surviving children, including myself. He owned a business, his home, and a vehicle. I've been in contact with his sister, who appears to be preparing to sell his house,... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Apr 3, 2025

If you have not received notice of a probate in the mail, then it’s possible that your father may have had a revocable living trust at his death. His sister may be the trustee of the trust with authority to sell the house. If you give me a call I can check for a probate in the Oregon court system... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for Oregon on
Q: Are wills able to be seen years latter. By family member.

I think my aunt, was not honest. of my dads estate

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Jan 24, 2025

If a probate was filed for your Dad's estate it is possible to retrieve a copy of his Will from the probate Court. If not, then you may be able to obtain a copy from the attorney who drafted the Will and/or the attorney who represented your Aunt.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Oregon on
Q: Does the spouse of a grantor of a deed that states "tenancy in common with right of survivorship" have any claim?

Does the spouse of a grantor of a deed that states "tenancy in common with right of survivorship" have any claim to the property after the grantor dies if one of the co-owners (a grantee) of the property is still living? This is in a non-community state. Does that make the spouse of the... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Jan 13, 2025

I recommend you have an attorney review this Deed for you. It sounds to me like this property is owned by (likely) two people (the Grantees) with a right of survivorship. This means that if one owner dies the remaining owner continues to own 100% of the property. The spouse of the deceased owner... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Oregon on
Q: Does the spouse of a grantor of a deed that states "tenancy in common with right of survivorship" have any claim?

Does the spouse of a grantor of a deed that states "tenancy in common with right of survivorship" have any claim to the property after the grantor dies if one of the co-owners (a grantee) of the property is still living? This is in a non-community state. Does that make the spouse of the... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jan 12, 2025

The surviving tenant in common will be the owner in fee if what you state is accurate. That tenant in common will be a grantee, not a grantor. The grantors' interest were extinguished by the deed conveyance, so the spouse of a grantor is irrelevant. Hire an OR attorney to search the title.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Oregon on
Q: Does my deceased father's 8th wife, married for 2 yrs, widow in the Philippines, have rights to his Fidelity retirement?

He moved to the Philippines after a bad divorce from his 7th wife. He passed away in 2013. He never announced to anyone in the USA that he married again in the Philippines. I was contacted several months ago by Fidelity to let me know that he had a retirement that I could collect. I had everything... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Jan 7, 2025

If your father's retirement account is not subject to the Retirement Equity Act (REA) and he named you and your brother as beneficiaries then you should be able to receive the money even if he was married at the time of his death. The only way you can find out is to fill out the Fidelity... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Oregon on
Q: My friend is the beneficiary of his sister's estate. The Trustee is not giving him any information. Can he replace her?

She sends him 150 dollars a week on a card. The will clearly stated upon my death, but he has received no money other than the 150 a week which he cannot live on. She has repeatedly threatened to sell the house which was left to him.

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Nov 4, 2024

It's possible that your friend could go to Court to have the Trustee removed. However, the most cost-effective thing is for him to work with the Trustee. It's a very good idea for your friend to hire a probate attorney to review the Trust and advise him of his rights. If the trust is... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: My mom's will had language that indicates that we don't need to do probate. Do we have to anyway?

The language:

In Article VI, C Mom's will says "I authorize and empower my Personal Representative to seland transfer any or all of my property, real and personal as I the discretion of my Personal Representative may reasonably be necessary for the payment of claims, expenses of... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Oct 25, 2024

Please accept my condolences for your mom's passing. Unfortunately, that provision in your mom's Will doesn't avoid the probate process. The person (or company) named as Personal Representative has no authority until they are appointed by the probate Court.

Some assets may...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: My mom's will had language that indicates that we don't need to do probate. Do we have to anyway?

The language:

In Article VI, C Mom's will says "I authorize and empower my Personal Representative to seland transfer any or all of my property, real and personal as I the discretion of my Personal Representative may reasonably be necessary for the payment of claims, expenses of... View More

Vincent J. Bernabei
Vincent J. Bernabei
answered on Oct 24, 2024

Probate is not always necessary. For example, if the deceased person owned bank accounts or property with another person, the surviving co-owner often will then own that property automatically. If a person dies leaving very few assets, such as personal belongings or household goods, these items can... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Oregon on
Q: Can some one explain this?

In determining the cash on hand for a trust, the bank has $66k, together with payment of $33k made by said person/beneficiary, is $99k to be divided in 3 equal shares, = $33k per beneficiary. Then the $33k is subtracted from the beneficiary share? How is that?

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Oct 2, 2024

To give you an accurate answer an attorney would need a lot more information. However, based on what you have written it sounds like one beneficiary owes the Trust $33,000 and the Trust bank account holds $66,000. Since the Trust is evidently to be split in three equal shares, the beneficiary who... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Oregon on
Q: as the beneficiary of a loved ones trust how long does the trustee have to supply the mandated financial reports thank u
Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Sep 6, 2024

You should receive an annual trustee's report. Upon your request the trustee has a reasonable time to provide you with relevant trust information. Depending on the complexity of the trust assets and what information you have requested I would expect a response in three to six weeks.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Oregon on
Q: In California can friends make end of life decisions based on an emergency contact when the next of kin is available.

If there is no power of attorney or will. Even after in the beginning the friend was allowed to make decisions for the family member when the said patient first was in the hospital?

Steven Leskin
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answered on Jun 13, 2024

A "friend", whether it is a romantic partner or a life long friend or even man's best friend, has no rights to make end of life decisions unless that person is named in an advance directive as the decision maker. The hospital will have a procedure it follows for making these crucial... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning and Family Law for Oregon on
Q: In my divorce it states that I would give him the house with the condition that if anything happens to him the house

Would go to my daughter. He is getting married at the end of this month and my daughter is concerned. How do I protect her interest.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jun 5, 2024

That marriage will give spouse rights. Why did your lawyer not get you a life estate/remainder deed at the divorce hearing? You might record a certified copy of the divorce decree in the County of the house, but the surviving spouse might try to ignore it. A contempt action probably does not... View More

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