Probate and Trust Administration

Probate refers to the administration of an estate when an individual passes away. This can be a challenging process, particularly when the decedent does not have an estate plan in place or the estate is in dispute by that person's loved ones.

For individuals who plan for their death by establishing a trust, our attorneys can assist the trustee or successor trustee in complying with their fiduciary obligations. It is important for individuals serving in these capacities to work with an experienced attorney who can provide advice on how to best preserve assets, deal with taxation, and ensure the trust is administered In accordance with the law.

At Thorp Purdy, we help individuals and families deal with complex estate administration proceedings throughout Oregon. Our attorneys are highly skilled in asking the right questions and bringing clarity to the overwhelming legal issues, particularly during a time that can be highly emotional.

Probate
- Thorp Purdy specializes in the administration of small estate and full probates for both taxable and non-taxable estates. Probate is the court process that proves a decedent’s will is valid, and is required to transfer a decedent’s assets to the beneficiaries named in his/her will, or if a decedent died without a will, to the decedent’s heirs according to Oregon’s law of intestate succession.
  
  Our firm can assist with all aspects of the probate process, including but not limited to, preparation and filing of all necessary documents, gathering of asset information and collection/disposition of assets, including sale/transfer of real and personal property, publication of notification to interested persons, search and notification relating to creditor claims, and final distribution of assets to heirs/beneficiaries after court authorization has been obtained.
  
  If you are nominated to serve as personal representative of a decedent’s estate, or if you have a family member or friend that has died without a will, please call to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced attorneys.

Trust Administration
- If you have been nominated as the Trustee/Successor Trustee in a revocable (sometimes referred to as a living trust) or irrevocable trust, please contact one of our trust attorneys to schedule an appointment to discuss your case. Our attorneys are experienced in trust administration, including administration of taxable trust estates. Trust administration is a necessary process that occurs after the death of either one or both trust settlors. There are a number of steps necessary to ensure proper trust administration, including notification of heirs/beneficiaries pursuant to Oregon law, collection and distribution of assets, notifications to creditors, sale of real and personal property and the trustee’s report and distribution proposal required by law. We have the expertise to assist our clients with all aspects of the trust administration process.