Areas of Practice
Estate Planning
Our planning process guides clients step-by-step through the creation of an estate plan. Our clients teach us about their families, assets, and wishes. We teach our clients how the estate planning laws will impact their future. We then work together to design and implement an estate plan that uses documents, asset titling, and beneficiary designations to meet client goals and objectives. Common planning goals include avoiding probate, reducing estate tax, and the efficient, economical transfer of inherited assets.
Wills & Trusts
A will is perhaps the most fundamental and familiar estate planning document. A “living trust” or “revocable trust” is essentially a will that avoids probate. Irrevocable trusts are specialized types of trusts used to accomplish special tax and nontax planning objectives. We guide clients in creating, modifying, and administering wills and trusts.
Probate
In some cases, a court proceeding known as “probate” is required to transfer assets from a deceased person’s name to those inheriting. The probate process requires numerous steps and court filings to complete. We assist with all stages of the probate process.
Estate Tax
Pick your term: estate tax, inheritance tax, death tax... All refer to the tax that applies when assets transfer as a result of the owner’s death. Want to know a dirty little secret? The estate tax applies to life insurance policies. We advise clients in strategies to reduce or eliminate state and federal estate tax. We also represent clients in the preparation and filing of estate tax returns, including Oregon’s Form OR-706 Estate Transfer Tax Return.