Toy house, gavel and text PROBATE.

How to Avoid Probate

Probate is the formal court process in which a deceased person’s property and assets are transferred to their beneficiaries. It is required for most estates in Oregon — even if there is a will in place. While these proceedings can be lengthy, costly, and emotionally overwhelming, many people wish to avoid probate for their family members. Fortu… Read More
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Categories: Probate
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A Guide to the Home Study and Placement Report

Adoption is a major decision that can come with many rewards for both parents and the child. If you are planning to expand your family through adoption, one of the requirements in Oregon is completing a home study. This is meant to ensure that prospective parents are emotionally and financially prepared to welcome an adopted child into their home.… Read More
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Categories: Adoption
Unhappy woman holding wedding ring close up - estate planning after divorce concept

Estate Planning After a Divorce

Few life events bring as many changes, as quickly, as divorce does. Because there are so many details to manage, one that can stay under the radar is the need to review—or create—your estate plan. Estate planning is something many people put off at the best of times, and it is especially easy to do when you are embarking on life after divorce.… Read More
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Categories: Divorce, Estate Planning
Man signing custody contract at meeting with social worker

Revisiting Custody Agreements as Your Children Grow

It can be hard to imagine what life will be like in a year, much less several years, when you have growing children. If you have a custody agreement in place after a divorce or breakup, you made it with the needs of your children in mind. But those needs are almost certain to change over time, along with other circumstances. That means that custody… Read More
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Categories: Child Custody
Divorce Attorney Presenting Case in Courtroom with Judge, Custody Battle Over Family House and Children

What Factors Does the Court Consider in Divorce Property Division?

Just about everyone understands that marital property division is a part of divorce. But it may not be until you are actually facing a divorce that you wonder: how exactly does the court decide who gets what? Portrayals of divorce in the media often show one spouse “taking the other one for all they are worth.” It’s no wonder that the specifi… Read More
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Categories: Property Division
Family arriving to the picnic at the beach together

Tips for Estate Planning for Blended Families

If you have created a blended family, you and your new spouse have probably faced some challenges or loss in the past, and chosen to build a hopeful new future together. You’re older and wiser, and you’ve learned some valuable lessons that will help your new family to thrive. One of those lessons is likely that everything goes more smoothly if… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning
Child girl having fun with her mothers using mobile phone sitting on house steps outdoors

Types of Adoption in Oregon

Adoption can be a wonderful way to expand your family and open your home to a child who needs one. However, the process can often feel overwhelming with so many different pathways that you can take. It’s important to be familiar with the different avenues for pursuing legal adoption to determine how to make the right decision for your family —… Read More
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Categories: Adoption
IRREVOCABLE TRUST - words on wooden blocks on a white background with a judge's gavel.

What’s the Difference Between a Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trust?

A common estate planning tool that is used to pass assets is a trust. These instruments allow a third party to hold assets on behalf of a beneficiary and distribute them in accordance with the instructions provided by the creator. While there are many different types of trusts that can be used based on your objectives, they fall into one of two cat… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning
Young couple arguing in front of male judge, contemplating divorce

The Difference Between Divorce Mediation vs. Litigation

If you are thinking about divorce, it’s important to understand that fighting a lengthy battle in the courtroom isn’t the only way to end your marriage. Depending on the facts of your case, there can be many advantages to divorce mediation vs. litigation. While litigation takes place inside the courtroom before a judge, mediation is an alternat… Read More
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Categories: Divorce, Mediation
Young family managing budget and paying bills and taxes.

What to Include in a Parenting Plan

If you and your spouse are divorcing or you’re separating from your partner, a parenting plan will need to be put into place if you share a child together. This is a written document that outlines how your child will split their time, who will care for them on a daily basis, and how decisions will be made about their health, welfare, and educatio… Read More
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Categories: Child Custody, Divorce