Estate Planning

Financial planning is a sound strategy for those with wealth and complex, high-value assets, but you still need an estate plan. These two distinct approaches can work together harmoniously to create a comprehensive strategy. While financial planning focuses on your...

A lot of people do not have an estate plan. One reason is people do not think they are old enough to worry about such things and there are more important things to think about like enjoying life. Are they correct? Can you ever be too young to have an estate plan? You...

Having a proper estate plan in place can be very important for testators, family and loved ones. The more a testator adds to their estate plan, the better defined their last wishes can be. There are several additions that testators can make to improve their estate...

You should review your estate plan at least every two or three years. You won’t necessarily need to change it each time, but reviewing it allows you to decide whether you must do so or not. Some events are significant enough to require immediate updates even if you...

If you’ve recently moved to Oregon, whether for work, retirement or any other reason, updating your estate plan likely isn’t at the top of your to-do list. However, if you have an estate plan that was created in your former home state, it’s a good idea to review it...

In the unfortunate event that a child’s parents pass away in Oregon without having named a guardian in their will, the situation is handled through the state’s legal system. While the state aims to ensure a child’s welfare and safety in this scenario, having a trusted...

In your estate plan, you will name several people to perform different duties, including a health care agent or proxy. This party will make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Doing this can prevent disputes, which are likely to happen when...

Every adult should have an estate plan to make sure that their assets are protected and their final wishes are safeguarded.  That means much more than just having a will. While a will is a critical part of an estate plan, it’s not a complete strategy for your...

One of the key life events that prompts many people to start developing an estate plan is the birth or adoption of a child. It’s always wise to designate a legal guardian (typically in your will) who will be responsible for raising your child should they be left...

Some people decide that they do not want CPR and other such measures to be used if they stop breathing or if their heart stops beating. They’re not against medical intervention if they have an illness or an injury. But if it gets to that point, they don’t want medical...