OAR 141-035-0045
Search for Heirs
(1)
The Estate Administrator shall conduct a search of records to locate any heirs that may have a legal right to inherit. The search may include but not be limited to the following:(a)
Papers, records, albums, newspaper clippings, letters, personal telephone books, etc., included in the personal effects of the decedent;(b)
Friends and neighbors;(c)
Employee unions, businesses or places of employment, retirement funds, insurance companies or any other association of which the decedent may have been a member;(d)
Banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, savings and loan associations, mortgage and investment funds with which the decedent may have conducted financial affairs;(e)
Public agencies;(f)
Paid genealogists or other heir searching method.(2)
If the Estate Administrator finds a valid will before filing a full probate or Small Estates Affidavit, the Estate Administrator shall immediately contact the personal representative named in the will. If the Estate Administrator cannot locate the personal representative, the Estate Administrator shall notify the primary beneficiary. The Department shall then make arrangements to turn over all assets, less the Department’s administrative costs to the appropriate individual upon proof of identity.(3)
The Department’s probate file is a public record under Oregon’s public meetings and records laws. The Department file may contain privileged and/or protected information subject to being withheld. Researching firms or heir finders must make an appointment with the Estate Administrator to view the Department files after the Department has filed the records with the probate court.
Source:
Rule 141-035-0045 — Search for Heirs, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=141-035-0045.