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2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Portland

Our Recommended Top 19

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Portland Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

136

Reviewed

89

Curated

19

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

4605 NE Fremont St. Suite 203, Portland, OR 97213

Why choose this provider?

Wright & McTaggart, LLC is a boutique law firm that serves clients in Portland. It assists clients in arranging and distributing their assets and wealth to their designated beneficiaries. Its attorneys also help disabled and critically ill adults to manage their personal affairs by appointing guardians or conservators. Founding attorneys Erin McTaggart and Bronwen Wright have more than 43 years of combined legal experience.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Bronwen Wright - PartnerActive21 yrs

1211 SW 5th Ave., Suite 2250, Portland, OR 97204

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (16)
Facebook
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Kehoe Moneyhun Law LLC offers representation to clients on probate matters and trust administration in Portland. It handles probate matters, assisting clients in properly navigating the court process and facilitating the distribution of the remaining assets. The firm also helps plan for incapacity or death by drafting documents like advanced directives, power of attorneys, and wills. The firm adopts a holistic approach to addressing the needs of families during different life transitions through family law and estate planning services, working to minimize conflicts in resolving issues that may arise.

  • Estate Planning

4511 SE 63rd Avenue, Suite C, Portland, OR 97206

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Colin P. Mackenzie Attorney at Law is a firm that handles probate matters in Portland. Its lawyer guides and advises executors in navigating the probate court procedures to settle a deceased person's estate. Firm lawyer Colin P. Mackenzie also provides estate planning, which includes will and tax strategizing and special needs trust preparation and administration. He strives to help clients achieve their estate goals through a collaborative approach, listening to them first before proposing an estate plan that matches their needs.

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Colin Mackenzie - PrincipalActive12 yrs

2164 Northeast Broadway, Portland, OR 97232

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (25)
Avvo
4.3 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Aiston Law, LLC, is a legal firm that offers estate planning services in Portland and the surrounding areas. Founded by Candice Aiston in 2008, the firm assists in drafting wills, setting up trusts, and preparing other legal documents on how the clients want their estate to be managed after they pass away. Candice strives to provide clients with comprehensive and personalized plans and administer decedents' estates with meticulous care. She is a member of the Oregon State Bar's Estate Planning section.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Candice Aiston - founder and lead attorneyActive16 yrs

101 Southwest Washington Street, Hillsboro, OR 97123

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.0 (4)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

McKean & Knaupp Attorneys is a civil litigation law firm serving the residents of Portland and the nearby communities. The firm has experience with simple and complex probate cases, and its team handles a number of related services, such as appointing a representative, examining the estate of the deceased, and representing individuals who are contesting a loved one's will. Partner Matthew McKean is a member of the estate planning section of the Oregon State Bar.

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Matthew McKean - PartnerActive20 yrs

3115 Northeast Sandy Boulevard, Portland, OR 97232

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (13)
Avvo
4.9 (11)

Why choose this provider?

Posey Legal, PC is a law firm that has been operating in Portland since 2019. It assists individuals and families with different areas of probate and estate planning, such as wills, trusts, and probate administration. Whether or not wills are involved, its legal team helps personal representatives in various tasks, including filing petitions to the court, submitting final death certificates to confirm decedents' death, and distributing the estates to heirs or devisees. The firm also handles family law matters.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Joanna Posey - Founder and OwnerActive14 yrs

5695 Hood St Hood Street Professional Bldg, West Linn, OR 97068

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (35)
Google
5.0 (5)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of Karen B. Dawson PC has provided legal services in the greater Portland area since 2007. Attorney Karen Dawson assists executors with all stages of the probate administration process, including filing petitions, notifying heirs, appraising assets, settling debts, distributing assets, and filing estate taxes. She also provides complete estate planning services involving wills, trusts, guardianships, and powers of attorney. Attorney Dawson is a member of the Oregon State Bar Association and the State Bar of California.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Karen Dawson - PrincipalActive21 yrs

2722 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97212

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (9)
Yelp
3.0 (4)
Facebook
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Bouneff, Chally & Koh Attorneys at Law is a legal firm that provides its services in the Portland area. It handles various aspects of probate administration, including financial asset transfers, tax liability, life insurance claims, decedent bills settlement, and creditor claims. Additionally, the law firm covers estate planning and management, and guardianship and conservatorship. Bouneff, Chally & Koh Attorneys at Law has been helping families and individuals for over 40 years. Its managing partner Tabitha L. Koh is a member of the Oregon Women Lawyers.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Tabitha Koh - Managing PartnerActive15 yrs

4511 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Suite 215, Portland, OR 97215

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (23)
Yelp
1.0 (1)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Eric M. Kearney, LLC has been advocating for Portland-based clients since 2006. The law firm provides legal advice and representation for clients in court cases concerning probate and estate administration, guardianship and conservatorship, wills contests, and Medicaid. It also assists with Oregon's Advance Directive forms, powers of attorney, trusts, and wills to help clients avoid the probate process. Eric M. Kearney is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Eric Kearney - PrincipalActive18 yrs

205 SE Spokane St,, Portland, OR 97202

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (6)
Avvo
5.0 (2)
Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Gibbons Law has been helping residents of Portland and nearby areas since 1991. Its team of lawyers provides legal assistance in probate, wills, and trusts. It represents the executor or administrator of an estate, helping them complete the requirements of the probate process. It also counsels trust beneficiaries and helps them understand and protect their rights under a trust. It extends its service to individuals and families who need guidance with estate planning. The firm's other practice areas include personal injury and real estate.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Dean Gibbons - PartnerActive33 yrs

9900 SW Wilshire, Ste. 200, Portland, OR 97225

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (14)
Facebook
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Breakwater Law is a private practice that focuses on estate planning, business, and property law. It protects the legacy and property of families in Portland by helping them with probate administration. The firm's services include probate with and without wills, trust administration upon death or incapacity, trustee representation, and customized legal guidance for families who have lost a loved one. The company's attorneys, Michael and Taylor Kittell, also assist clients with the guardianship and conservatorship of minors and disabled adults.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

5603 SW Hood Avenue, Portland, OR 97239

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (3)
Google
5.0 (1)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

With over 25 years in the industry, the Law Offices of Geoff Bernhardt & Julie Nimnicht handles probate-related matters for clients in Portland and the surrounding areas. Its team comprises lawyers and support staff who assist clients in navigating the probate court system, complying with the necessary court guidelines. They also help administer trusts and estates. In addition, they focus on other areas, such as estate planning, guardianship and conservatorship, healthcare directives, and powers of attorney.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Geoff Bernhardt - ShareholderActive31 yrs

2100 SE Lake Road, Suite 5, Milwaukie, OR 97222

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (15)
Yelp
5.0 (1)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Barbur Law LLC is a small estate planning firm representing individuals and families in Portland. It handles probate matters, assisting with the process from administering court probate estates to conducting private trust administrations. It helps clients understand the legal obligations of an administrator and guides them with the timeline. The firm also offers legal solutions for estate planning, guardianships, and conservatorships. Barbur Law was established in 2012 by Scott Barbur, who practices litigation in local, district, county, and administrative courts.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

1865 NW 169th Place Suite 202, Beaverton, OR 97006

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

NW Estate Law, LLC, is a private firm that represents individuals and families in Portland. It provides legal assistance for probate proceedings, which include the appraisal of assets and settlement of debts. The firm also deals with estate planning for singles, married couples, blended families, minors, and divorcees. Other services include long-term care, guardianship, conservatorship, business succession planning, and asset protection. Before establishing the firm, founding partner Meredith L. Williamson co-owned a company that helps the elderly get connected with housing and care services.

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

7318 N Leavitt Ave, Portland, OR 97203

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

KG Law Group serves clients in Portland. It guides beneficiaries, personal representatives, and trustees through the probate process to facilitate smooth asset and wealth transfers to beneficiaries of decedents. The firm provides estate planning services that cover wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives. Founding attorney Taylor Kittell uses her background in mediation in resolving probate and trust administration cases. She emphasizes the well-being of family members when providing legal counsel and representation.

  • Estate Planning

806 SW Broadway Suite 800, Portland, OR 97205

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (65)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Richard L. Grant, P.C., caters to the counsel needs of individuals and families in and around Portland. It helps clients in law areas such as trusts and estates, probate, and estate planning. Grant and his team draft wills, contracts, and agreements. In addition, they assist families in resolving disputes through litigation, mediation, and arbitration. Grant has been representing clients for over 29 years and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

2173 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Oregon Elder Law is a women-operated firm that caters to residents of Portland and neighboring communities. Partners Whitney Yazzolino and Julie Meyer Rowett are active members and conservatorship instructors of Guardian Partners. They advise clients on the informal and formal probate processes and on which option best suits their needs. The firm also assists the appointed representative in fulfilling tasks like compiling assets and appraising them. Aside from probate, Oregon Elder Law covers estate planning and special needs trusts.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Whitney Yazzolino - PartnerActive19 yrs

4504 S. Corbett Ave. Suite 210A, Portland, OR 97239

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (6)
Avvo
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Robert M. Lusk, Attorney at Law, offers solutions for families and estates in Portland. He assists in navigating the probate process, whether for modest or sizable estates, and helps settle disputes through litigation or settlement. In addition, he reviews case details and provides strategies to settle taxes and creditor claims and distribute assets to beneficiaries with minimum delay and expenses. Lusk has been practicing law for over 44 years and also handles divorce, custody, and guardianship cases.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

4713 N Albina Avenue, Suite 204, Portland, OR 97217

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Gapinski Law, LLC, deals with legal matters of clients residing in Portland and the neighboring areas. The firm offers assistance in cases surrounding estate administration, including probate and trusts. Kathryn Gapinski, its principal lawyer, assists a family member or personal representative in probate-related matters, including distributing a decedent’s assets. Gapinski Law also helps draft wills and trusts in case of possible incapacity and death. Gapinski, who has been practicing law for 12 years, served as a Clackamas County probate court clerk.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Kathryn Gapinski - PrincipalActive15 yrs

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Portland, Oregon?

    Call the Portland Police Bureau at 503-823-3333 to report non-emergencies.

  • What are the things possibly included in an estate in Portland?

    In the context of probate, an estate encompasses everything the deceased person owns, such as real estate, stocks and bonds, businesses, and financial investments. It can also be furniture, heirlooms, antiques, jewelry, vehicles, and art pieces. Estates in Portland can also include insurance policy benefits, retirement plans, and business interests.

  • Does the court in Portland provide guidance on how to become a better personal representative, trustee, or conservator?

    The Probate Department of the Multnomah County Circuit Court requires personal representatives, conservators, and trustees to attend the Fiduciary 101 class. For more information, contact the class provider, Guardian Partners, at 971-409-1358 or visit its office at 1600 SE Bybee Blvd., Suite 206, Portland, OR 97202. Class registration can be directed to liz@guardian-partners.org.

  • Should you get a lawyer for a probate case in Portland?

    If you cannot justify clearly the process required to complete your Portland probate case, the court will require you to have a lawyer or be dismissed as fiduciary. Otherwise, you have to prove before a judge you are competent in probate matters including possibly case law, Oregon statutes, and tax regulations. The Multnomah County Supplemental Local Rule 9.085 requires you to inform the probate court first if you want to proceed with your case without a lawyer.

  • Can you get all the forms from the probate court in Portland?

    Not all probate forms are available at the Multnomah County Courthouse. Only forms such as Small Estate Affidavits, Acknowledgment of Restricted Assets, Minor Guardianship, and Guardian’s report are available in the courthouse at 1200 SW 1st Ave., Portland, OR 97204. You can seek assistance from the Oregon State Bar on this matter by calling 800-452-8260, ext. 408, or 503-431-6408 and sending an email to ris@osbar.org.

  • What should you do to transfer a vehicle in Portland after the owner's death?

    File the required paperwork to the Oregon DMV in Portland. If the vehicle is part of an estate that is not probated, the vehicle can be passed on to the beneficiary by submitting the DMV form, Inheritance Affidavit, together with the title. If the estate is undergoing probate, letters of testamentary are required by the DMV, but if probate is already closed, the Decree of Final Distribution will be needed.

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