Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Oregon

Re: Public Contents of Estates

If the estate has been opened, then the estate's administrator must file an inventory, describing the estate's assets and liabilities. You, and anyone, are entitled to go to the clerk's office, find out the case number of the estate, and see the file, which would contain the inventory (which will be filed within a few months.) If your son is a minor child, then you will probably receive a copy of the inventory by mail from the estate's administrator. Be aware, however, that the majority of a person's "estate" often consists of property which is not subject to probate administration, like employee benefit plans, insurance benefits, jointly held property, property in an intervivos trust, etc. This property will not be listed on the probate court inventory. To find out about it, you or your son (if he is an adult) should ask the administrators, employers, etc., if they know about any such property. If they do not cooperate, you should be able to compel discovery through court process in the probate case, for which you should retain your own attorney. (Also check county tax assessor and recorder records.)

Re: Public Contents of Estates

Just go to the court clerk and ask to see the probate file. you should also file a request for special notice with the court.