Free Tools and Information for Deschutes County, OR Consumers

Oregon Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Oregon PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Deschutes County: Key information about your local probate court (Circuit Court in Oregon) for Deschutes County.
• How Probate Works in Oregon: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Deschutes County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • Oregon Probate Forms and the
    • Oregon State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Oregon: Learn how to use Oregon's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In Oregon, you can use an Affidavit if the fair market value of the estate is $275,000 or less and not more than $75,000 of the estate is personal property and not more than $200,000 is real estate. (Fair market value means what the property could be sold for, not your equity in it.) There is a 30-day waiting period.

    Or. Rev. Stat. 114.505 and following.

• Oregon Estate Taxes:

  • The state of Oregon imposes an estate tax on property owned in Oregon. If you are inheriting property from the state of Oregon, it may be subject to estate tax if the overall value of the estate is more than $1,000,000.

• Avoiding Probate in Oregon. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

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Oregon Wage & Hour Law

• Oregon Minimum Wage:  

  • The minimum wage in Oregon is $15.45 within the Portland Urban Growth Boundary, $13.20 an hour in non-urban counties, and $14.20 an hour everywhere else. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in Oregon must be paid the higher state minimum wage.

    Deschutes County Minimum Wage

    The minimum wage in Deschutes County is currently $14.20 an hour. 

• Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Oregon and whether they apply to you.
• Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Oregon. 
• Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Oregon.

  • The tipped minimum wage in Oregon is the same as the regular minimum wage: $15.45 within the Portland Urban Growth Boundary, $13.20 an hour in non-urban counties, and $14.20 an hour everywhere else. Tips don't count against the employer's obligation to pay the minimum wage. 

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Deschutes County, Oregon (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for May 15, 2024)
• Oregon BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Oregon law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in Oregon?:  

    • Yes. Or. Rev. Stat. § 18.300

  • Oregon Homestead Exemption

    • Real property, mobile home or houseboat you occupy or intend to occupy to $40,000 ($50,000 for joint owners); property cannot exceed 1 block in town or city or 160 acres elsewhere; sale proceeds exempt 1 year from sale, if you intend to purchase another home

  • Oregon Vehicle Exemption

    • Motor vehicle to $3,000 (husband & wife may double)

• Oregon BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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Oregon Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Oregon: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $190 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $812 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In Oregon, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Oregon.
  • Oregon Employment Department: Unemployment Insurance Division 
    • 877-345-3484
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

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Democracy In Oregon, Deschutes County, Bend 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Deschutes County, OR.
  • Key Links:
    • Check Your Oregon Voter Registration Status: https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/vr/showVoterSearch.do?lang=eng
• Gerrymandering in Oregon: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 
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Find a Lawyer in Deschutes County, OR

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration
• Legal Aid
  • OregonLawHelp 

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