Blog
Getting Organized to Meet With Your Estate Planning Attorney
You’ve finally decided to meet with an estate planning attorney and get your affairs in order. It’s time to make sure your family is protected. Now that you’ve scheduled the first appointment, what’s your next step? You can do one of two things: (1) Simply wait for...
Estates and Estate Taxes
Some states collect an Estate tax (also known as a “death tax”) which is based on the value of the deceased person’s estate and, in some states, who inherits it. As of January 1, 2015, 19 states and the District of Columbia collect an estate tax, including Oregon and...
Storing Your Original Estate Planning Documents
Our office is often asked where original estate planning documents—wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives—should be stored for safekeeping. While we generally recommend a fireproof home safe, consider the following: A home safe For a home safe to...
Estate Planning Basics for Newlyweds
It’s the time of year for beautiful weddings, fun receptions, delicious cakes, special gifts, and romantic honeymoons. While this is a joyous time for everyone, it’s also time for you and your new spouse to plan for your future—for richer or for poorer, in sickness...
Incapacity Planning IV: Choosing the Right Agents
A designated health care or financial representative is also called an “Agent.” When selecting the agents who will be named in your incapacity plan, there are two important decisions to be made: 1. Who will manage your finances during incapacity; and 2. Who will make...
Incapacity Planning III: Three Must-Have Documents for Making HealthCare Decisions
There are three essential legal documents for making healthcare decisions that must be in place prior to becoming incapacitated: 1. Medical Power of Attorney. This legal document gives your agent the authority to make health care decisions for you if you cannot do so....
