Estate Planning Services

What Is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is the process of arranging your legal, financial, and personal affairs to ensure your wishes are honored in life and after death. A well-done estate plan provides peace of mind, protects loved ones, minimizes taxes, avoids probate, and ensures your legacy.

Estate planning often includes a creating a personalized will, power of attorney, advance directive, and may also involve creating a trust. This legal preparation ensures your wishes are documented and recognized by the law.

Our Estate Planning Services

Our experienced estate planning attorneys in Portland, Oregon, specialize in crafting personalized solutions that meet your unique needs.

Our estate plans are customized to your personal situation and needs which might include creating some of the legal documents below:

• Wills: Define how your assets will be distributed and who will be responsible for your estate.
• Trusts: Ensure your assets are managed according to your wishes, while potentially avoiding probate and reducing estate taxes.
• Powers of Attorney: Designate a trusted person to manage your financial and legal matters if you become incapacitated.
• Advance Directives: Document your healthcare preferences to ensure your medical treatment aligns with your values and desires.
• Special Needs Planning: Create a plan that addresses the unique requirements of family members with special needs, ensuring their care and financial security.
• Healthcare Power of Attorney (Healthcare Directive): Designates someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
• Living Will: Expresses your wishes regarding life-sustaining medical treatment.
• Beneficiary Designation Forms: Specify who will receive your retirement accounts, life insurance proceeds, and other assets.
• Business Succession Plan: Outlines how your business will continue to operate after your death.
• Charitable Giving Plan: Specifies how your assets will be donated to charitable organizations.

The Importance of Early Estate Planning

Personal experience from a seasoned estate planning attorney – Michael Rose

As a estate planning attorney, I’ve witnessed firsthand the consequences of neglecting this crucial aspect of life. Having grown up in a family that faced financial hardship and personal loss, I understand the importance of planning for the future.

I remember vividly the day I sat by my great-grandmother’s bedside, watching her struggle with the pain of terminal cancer. It was a heartbreaking experience that left a lasting impression on me. Witnessing her suffering made me realize the importance of having a well-thought-out estate plan in place.

Unfortunately, many people delay estate planning until it’s too late. They may be busy with work, raising children, or simply avoiding the uncomfortable topic of mortality. However, the reality is that life is unpredictable, and accidents, illnesses, and other unexpected events can happen at any time.

By starting your estate planning early, you can:

• Protect your loved ones: Ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, preventing potential family disputes and financial hardships.
• Minimize taxes: Implement strategies to reduce or eliminate estate taxes, preserving more wealth for your beneficiaries.
• Avoid probate: Streamline the process of transferring your assets after your death, saving your loved ones time and money.
• Provide for your healthcare needs: Appoint a healthcare proxy to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
• Create a lasting legacy: Express your wishes and values, ensuring that your legacy lives on.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Schedule a consultation with our experienced estate planning attorneys today and take control of your future.

Frequently Asked Questions about Estate Planning