Portland Oregon Legal Planning News
One of the most frequent questions I hear as a Portland, Oregon trust lawyer is, "Is my estate large enough to justify a living trust?" Behind this question often lies a deeper concern: "Am I making the right choice for my family's future?" Let me share something that might surprise you – the size of your estate is just one small piece of a much larger picture.
Read MoreMany of us drag our feet on changing professional relationships, especially when it comes to legal matters. As a Portland, Oregon estate planning lawyer, I often meet people who knew for years that they needed to find a new estate planning lawyer in Portland, Oregon, whether because their original estate planning attorney retired, or because they moved to Oregon from another state. Perhaps you created your plan decades ago, lost touch with your original attorney, moved from another state, or simply want a fresh perspective that better aligns with your current values and goals.
Read MoreAs a Portland, Oregon probate lawyer, I've witnessed firsthand how scammers exploit families during their most vulnerable moments. The days and weeks following a loved one's passing should be a time for healing and remembrance – not defending against fraud. Let me share some crucial insights to help protect your family during this sensitive time.
Read MoreWhen a child with disabilities receives a personal injury settlement, parents often face a crucial decision: how to manage these funds without jeopardizing essential government benefits. As a Portland, Oregon trust lawyer, I've helped many families protect their children's financial future through special needs trusts, particularly after receiving personal injury settlements.
Read MoreAs a Portland, Oregon probate attorney, one of the most common questions I hear from families is about student loan debt after death. With student loan debt in America reaching unprecedented levels, it's a crucial topic that affects many families during probate administration.
Read MoreAs a Portland, Oregon trust lawyer, I often meet families who've been targeted by aggressive marketing from what's known as a "trust mill." These clients usually come to us worried, clutching generic trust documents that aren't worth the paper they're printed on. While the low prices might have been attractive initially, they quickly discovered that cheap, mass-produced estate planning can cost far more in the long run.
Read MoreAs we embrace the fresh start of a New Year, there’s no better time to address one of the most crucial aspects of family planning: naming legal guardians for your minor children. While it’s not the most comfortable topic to consider, ensuring your children’s care and security is perhaps the greatest gift you can give them—and yourself.
Read MoreYou've carefully built your retirement savings over decades, but did you know that once inherited, these accounts could be vulnerable to creditors? As a Portland, Oregon estate lawyer, I've seen too many families surprised when inherited retirement accounts they thought were protected ended up exposed to legal claims.
Read MoreAs a Portland, Oregon estate planning lawyer, I often find that people associate powers of attorney only with end-of-life planning. However, limited powers of attorney (POAs) can be incredibly useful tools for managing specific tasks in your day-to-day life. Think of them as delegating authority for a particular purpose, rather than handing over complete control of your affairs.
Read MoreThe holiday season is often a time when we gather with family members we may not see regularly throughout the year. While these reunions are filled with joy and connection, they can also be a time when we notice changes in our loved ones that might cause concern. Whether it’s subtle physical differences or more apparent cognitive changes, the holidays can be a pivotal moment for recognizing when someone may need increased support.
Read MoreAs a will lawyer in Portland, Oregon, I often receive urgent calls from families with loved ones in the hospital. They're concerned about getting legal documents in place quickly, especially if their loved one's condition might deteriorate. It's a delicate situation that requires immediate attention, but many wonder how to proceed when their family member can't come to an attorney's office.
Read MoreIf you own commercial property, you've likely spent years building and managing your real estate investments. As a Portland, Oregon will and trust lawyer, I've guided many property owners through the complex process of including these valuable assets in their estate plans. The truth is, passing down commercial property requires much more careful consideration than transferring a family home.
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