Can a Will Avoid Probate?

No. A will only provides instructions to your loved ones about how to distribute your property after your death. Without a will, your property will transfer subject to the intestate laws of Oregon. This means, the state decides how your property will pass to your heirs.

We wrote an article in 2016 about What happens when you die without a Will. The charts in that article will show you what happens to your property in most situations.

While a will is not a tool to avoid probate, a will can ensure that your assets are distributed as you choose. Without a will, Oregon intestate laws determine how your assets are passed. If you wish to avoid probate, please refer to the previous article How to Avoid Probate in Oregon.