Making a Change: Working with a New Portland, Oregon Estate Planning Lawyer
Many 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.
Why a Special Needs Trust is Crucial for Your Child's Personal Injury Settlement: Insights from a Portland, Oregon Trust Lawyer
When 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.
What Happens to Student Loans After Death? Portland, Oregon Probate Attorney Explains
As 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.
Trust Mills: Why Mass-Produced Estate Planning Could Put Your Family at Risk
As 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.
New Year, New Guardian? Protecting Your Child's Future in 2025 with Estate Planning
As 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.
Portland, Oregon Estate Lawyer Explains: Your Inherited IRA May Be at Risk
You'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.
When Do You Need a Limited Power of Attorney? More Often Than You Might Think.
As 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.
Over the Holidays: Spotting Signs an Aging Loved One May Need More Help
The 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.
Will Lawyer in Portland, Oregon Explains: Creating Estate Plans for Hospitalized Loved Ones
As 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.
Commercial Property in Your Estate Plan: Advice From a Portland, Oregon Will and Trust Lawyer on Protecting Your Real Estate Legacy
If 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.
Heir-Raising Concerns? Why a Family Session with Your Portland, Oregon Elder Lawyer Might Be the Answer
You've spent a lifetime building your legacy, but now you're tossing and turning at night, worried about how your heirs might handle it. As a Portland, Oregon elder lawyer, I've sat across the desk from countless clients who share these concerns. They wonder: Will my wishes be respected? Could one of my children challenge my decisions? Might my healthcare choices become a family battleground?
Estate Planning Red Flags: A Portland, Oregon Will and Trust Lawyer Reveals Common Parental Missteps
As a Portland, Oregon Will and Trust Lawyer, I've seen firsthand the consequences of inadequate estate planning. Many parents, regardless of age, overlook crucial aspects of securing their family's future. Whether you're a new parent, think you're too young for estate planning, or haven't updated your documents in years, this post is for you. Let's explore some common estate planning mistakes and how to avoid them.