Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Lake Oswego & the Portland Metro
We help individuals, couples, and families put a plan in place that protects what matters most — drafting wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives for clients across Oregon and Washington.
What is estate planning?
Estate planning is the process of arranging your legal, financial, and personal affairs so your wishes are honored — both during your life and after you're gone. A well-built plan brings peace of mind: it provides for the people you love, names who can speak for you if you can't, helps your family avoid unnecessary court and taxes, and keeps important decisions in your hands.
For most people, an estate plan includes a will, a power of attorney, and an advance directive — and often a revocable living trust. These documents work together to make sure your intentions are clearly written down and recognized under Oregon (and Washington) law.
Our estate planning services
We build every plan around your specific situation — never a one-size-fits-all template. Because we have attorneys licensed in both Oregon and Washington, we can prepare estate plans for residents of either state. Depending on your needs, your plan may include:
- Wills — define how your assets are distributed and who is responsible for your estate.
- Trusts — manage your assets according to your wishes while helping your family avoid probate.
- Powers of Attorney — name a trusted person to handle your financial and legal matters if you become incapacitated.
- Advance Directives — document your health-care wishes and name someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
- Special Needs Planning — provide for a loved one with a disability without jeopardizing their benefits.
- Beneficiary Designations — coordinate retirement accounts, life insurance, and other assets with your overall plan.
- Business Succession Planning — set out how your business will continue after your death.
- Charitable Giving — direct gifts to the causes and organizations you care about.
The right documents protect more than your assets
Estate planning isn't only about who receives your property. It's also about what happens to you if a stroke, dementia, or an accident ever takes away your ability to make decisions. The right power of attorney and advance directive can spare your family from court, conflict, and unnecessary cost during the hardest moments — and make sure the people you trust are the ones making decisions on your behalf.
Why start your estate plan early
“I still remember sitting by my great-grandmother's bedside as she struggled with terminal cancer. That experience left a lasting impression on me — and it's a big part of why I believe so deeply in planning ahead. Too many families wait until it's too late. Don't let yours be one of them.”
— Michael J. Rose, JD, Founding Attorney
Life is unpredictable. Starting early — while you're healthy and clear-headed — means your plan reflects exactly what you want, and your family isn't left guessing. Planning ahead lets you:
- Provide for your loved ones and reduce the chance of family disputes.
- Name who manages your finances and health care if you become unable to.
- Help your family avoid the time and expense of probate.
- Put thoughtful tax planning in place where it applies.
- Leave a clear record of your wishes and your values.
Estate planning for Lake Oswego & the greater Portland metro
Rose Elder Law is based in Lake Oswego and works with families throughout the greater Portland metro area — including Portland, West Linn, Tigard, Tualatin, Beaverton, Milwaukie, and Oregon City, across Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties. We take an education-first approach: we'll explain your options in plain language, answer your questions, and never pressure you. There's no charge for the first ten minutes while we figure out whether we're the right fit.
Prefer to learn before you decide?
Join Michael Rose for our free “Estate Planning 101: Protecting Yourself and Your Family” webinar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning
Every plan is different, but most comprehensive estate plans in Oregon range from about $3,000 to $8,000. The cost depends on a few things:
- The complexity of your assets and family situation.
- The specific documents you need — a simple will package versus a full trust-based plan.
- Whether you prefer a flat fee or hourly billing.
We believe in transparency: we'll walk you through your options and give you a clear quote before any work begins. Your first ten minutes with us are always free.
These ranges are general estimates for planning purposes only — not a quote or a guarantee of price. Your actual fee depends on your specific situation.
You can create a basic plan using online templates — but for anything beyond the simplest situation, we strongly recommend working with an attorney. Oregon's estate and probate laws are specific, and small mistakes can cost your family far more than the plan itself: an improperly signed will, the wrong power of attorney, or a living trust that's never funded can all fail exactly when your family needs them.
An attorney makes sure your plan is complete, legally sound, and tailored to your goals — and that the documents will actually work the way you intend.
Most plans include a Last Will & Testament, a Durable Power of Attorney, and an Advance Directive, and many also include a Revocable Living Trust to avoid probate. Depending on your situation, we may also prepare special needs provisions, beneficiary designations, and business succession or charitable giving plans.
A will directs who receives your property and names someone to administer your estate — but it still goes through probate. A revocable living trust can accomplish the same goals while keeping your affairs private and helping your family avoid the time and expense of probate. Many Oregon families benefit from having both; we'll help you decide what actually fits your situation.
We're based in Lake Oswego and work with families throughout the greater Portland metro — including Portland, West Linn, Tigard, Tualatin, Beaverton, Milwaukie, and Oregon City — and we can meet in person or by video. With a Washington-licensed attorney on our team, we also prepare estate plans for Washington residents.
We're Here Whenever You Need Us
If you have a question about whether we can help you, give us a call. We will determine whether we can help or if we might be able to refer you to someone who can.
Send a Message
Serving the Greater Portland Metro Area, OR
amber@roseelderlaw.com
Phone
971-865-3171
Open Hours
Mon–Thurs: 9AM – 5PM Friday: 9AM – 2PM
Address
5200 Meadows Rd., Ste 150 Lake Oswego, OR 97035