Quick answer: Oregon probate administration is moderate — a statutory PR commission ($10,630 on a $500,000 estate), a reasonable attorney fee, and a value-based filing fee. The real Oregon sting is the estate tax: a $1 million exemption (the lowest in the US) that catches many Portland-area homeowners. Get your own figure with the Oregon probate cost calculator.
The personal representative commission — statutory scale
Under ORS 116.173(3), the commission is a sliding scale on the probate estate:
| Portion of the probate estate | Rate |
|---|---|
| First $1,000 | 7% |
| Next $9,000 | 4% |
| Next $40,000 | 3% |
| Above $50,000 | 2% |
| Non-probate property (excl. life insurance) | +1% |
The Oregon estate tax — the low $1M threshold
| Estate value | Oregon estate tax |
|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | $0 (at exemption) |
| $1,500,000 | $50,000 |
| $2,500,000 | $152,500 |
| $5,000,000 | $425,000 |
Estate tax on estates above $1M; figures from the ORS 118.010 rate table — confirm on Form OR-706. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Worked examples (administration only)
| Estate value | PR commission | Attorney | Filing + misc | Admin total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $2,630 | $2,500 | $570 | ≈ $5,700 |
| $500,000 | $10,630 | $5,000 | $570 | ≈ $16,200 |
| $1,000,000 | $20,630 | $8,000 | $864 | ≈ $29,494 |
Filing + misc = filing fee (scales with value) + $150 publication + $120 copies. Administration only — add Oregon estate tax separately for estates above $1M. If the PR waives the fee, subtract that column. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
How to reduce Oregon probate costs
- Use the small estate affidavit for estates up to $275,000 under ORS 114.515 — one of the highest thresholds in the US.
- PR waives the commission if a family member and beneficiary.
- Plan for the $1M estate tax — not portable, so married couples use bypass (credit-shelter) trusts.
- Natural-resource credit (ORS 118.140) can offset the tax for qualifying farm, forest or fishing property.