Being named successor trustee of a revocable living trust means taking on real legal responsibility the moment the grantor dies or becomes incapacitated. Here's what the job actually involves under Oregon law.

Oregon taxes real estate within its borders even when the owner lives in another state. A vacation home in Sunriver or Bend can trigger an Oregon estate tax bill that catches families off guard — but the right ownership structure can prevent it.

Most Oregon estate plans address the house, the bank accounts, and the retirement funds. Almost none of them address the email inbox, the streaming subscriptions, or the cloud storage full of family photos. Here's why that gap matters.

Oregon operates one of the most aggressive Medicaid estate recovery programs in the country — and it can reach assets that avoid probate. Here's what Oregon families need to understand before a loved one needs long-term care.

In Oregon, life insurance death benefits count toward your taxable estate even though they avoid probate. For families near the $1 million threshold, a policy you bought to protect your family can trigger a tax bill you didn't expect.

Joint bank accounts in Oregon pass to the surviving owner automatically in most cases — but the rules are more nuanced than people expect, and the convenience account problem trips up Oregon families constantly.

Tenancy by the entirety avoids probate when the first Oregon spouse dies. When the surviving spouse eventually dies, it's a different story — and most couples don't realize the gap until it's too late.

Most estate planning attorneys bill by the hour. I don't. Here's how flat-fee pricing changes the client relationship — and why it produces better estate plans for Oregon and Idaho families.

When your parent's income is over Oregon's Medicaid cap, a Miller Trust may be the only thing standing between your family and $10,000-a-month care costs. Here's how it works—and what to do if you need one now.

SB 1511 died in committee when the Legislature adjourned. Oregon's estate tax is unchanged. Here's what happened, what comes next, and what it means for your plan.

Gene Hackman had a will, a trust, and an attorney. His estate still ended up in probate court. The reason why is something every Oregon family should know.

Everyone in estate planning tells you to avoid probate. But most people don't actually know what it is—just that it's bad. This post breaks down what Oregon probate actually involves, how long it takes, what it costs, and why a will alone doesn't help you avoid it.

Oregon's $1 million estate tax threshold has been catching families off guard since 2012. A bill that passed the Senate today would change that — but it's not law yet.

Leaving money directly to a loved one with a disability can unintentionally cost them their Medicaid coverage and SSI. A special needs trust is designed to solve exactly this problem — preserving both the inheritance and the public benefits that support daily life. Here's how it works and who needs to be thinking about it.

Oregon conservatorship may be required if no valid power of attorney exists. Learn how guardianship works and how to avoid court involvement.

A revocable living trust avoids probate only if it is properly funded. Learn the common funding mistakes Oregon families make and how to fix them.

Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance override your will. Learn how Oregon families get this wrong and how to fix it.

Oregon Medicaid estate recovery allows the state to seek reimbursement for long-term care costs after death. Learn how it works and how to plan ahead.

Wills can be challenged in Oregon probate court. Learn the four most common grounds for a will contest and how to make your estate plan more defensible.

Oregon's long-term care Medicaid program can cover nursing home costs that would otherwise consume a family's life savings — but qualifying requires navigating a medical standard, a strict income cap, and a five-year look-back on asset transfers.