Probate and Estate Planning Attorneys in Gresham
Planning for the future and ensuring that your loved ones are taken care of after you pass away is at the heart of elder law. It's about making thoughtful decisions and designating trusted individuals to carry out your wishes.
One crucial aspect of this planning is creating a Will, which serves as a clear guide for your family and friends on how you want your assets to be distributed. Whether you need assistance in setting up your Will or navigating the Probate process, our experienced attorney, Nathan Begley, is here to provide you with the guidance and support you need.
"Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate."
Ambrose Bierce
Probate
Losing a loved one is already a difficult and emotional time, and dealing with the financial and legal complexities of the probate process can add to the stress. At Good Advice Law, we understand the challenges families face during this time, and our goal is to simplify the probate process as much as possible.
Our experienced attorneys will guide you through every step, ensuring that all legal requirements are met while providing support and protection for our clients. We are here to make the probate process efficient, understandable, and as seamless as possible for you and your family.
Wills
A Will serves as a powerful tool to determine the distribution of your assets, the management of your finances after your passing, the future of your beloved pets, and most importantly, the guardianship of your minor children.
Additionally, a Will has the potential to eliminate the need for a Personal Representative to post a bond, resulting in significant cost savings when administering your estate. However, it's important to note that even with a Will in place, probate may still be required.
Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is a powerful legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to manage your finances and make important decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself.
This legal tool empowers your chosen individual to act in your best interests and ensure that your financial matters are properly handled during your lifetime. With a Power of Attorney in place, you can have peace of mind knowing that someone you trust will be there to support and assist you when you need it most.
Advance Directive
An Advance Directive for Healthcare Decisions, also known as a Living Will, allows you to appoint a trusted representative who will make important medical decisions on your behalf in situations where you are unable to communicate your preferences. It also serves as a valuable tool to outline the specific type of care you desire during critical end-of-life circumstances.
Burial Instructions
In the event that you have concerns about your next of kin's ability to fulfill your final wishes, having clear instructions for the disposition of your remains can provide valuable guidance. Whether you have specific burial instructions or preferences for how your remains should be handled, these instructions ensure that your wishes are respected and carried out accordingly.
Beneficiary Designation
Designating beneficiaries on your bank accounts, life insurance policies, retirement benefits, and other assets can potentially allow you to bypass the probate process entirely, depending on the nature and value of your assets.
Trusts
A Trust is a valuable tool often utilized in estate planning. When clients inquire about setting up a trust, they are typically referring to the creation of a revocable or irrevocable living trust. By establishing a living trust, you establish a legal entity that becomes the owner of your assets, and you designate a trustee to manage those assets during your lifetime and after your passing. While you are capable, you have the option to serve as your own trustee. One of the significant advantages of having a trust is its potential to help you avoid the probate process.
Conservatorship & Guardianship
Both conservatorships and guardianships serve unique purposes, offering solutions for different situations. A guardianship enables you to make decisions related to personal and healthcare matters for an incapacitated adult. On the other hand, a conservatorship grants you the authority to manage the financial affairs, property, and assets of someone who is unable to handle their finances.
Conservatorships are often established to provide protection for individuals who struggle with making sound investment choices, have been targeted by financial scams, or face difficulties in meeting their financial obligations.
Guardianships, on the other hand, are put in place for individuals who have been deemed incapable of making or expressing decisions regarding their basic health and safety.
These legal avenues are essential tools to ensure the well-being and protection of individuals who may be vulnerable or unable to manage certain aspects of their lives. They offer support and guidance to help safeguard their interests and enable responsible decision-making on their behalf.