» Guardianship

A guardian may be appointed by a court for a child in cases where the child’s parents are unable to meet their best interests or are unwilling to care for them. Unlike with adoption, when a guardianship is established, the legal parent’s rights typically are not terminated by the court. Nevertheless, it’s essential to understand that a guardi… Read More

A good estate plan should not only dictate what will happen when you pass — it should also include a plan for incapacity. Guardianships and powers of attorney are two legal tools that can appoint someone to act on your behalf in the event you can no longer make decisions for yourself. While incapacity should be considered when creating a comprehe… Read More

Conservatorships are essential to ensure those who are incapable of taking care of their own financial affairs have someone trustworthy to make business, legal, and monetary decisions for them. Unfortunately, those who are appointed as conservators don’t always act in the best interests of the protected person and sometimes take advantage of thei… Read More

Adoption is a big decision. If you are considering growing your family through adoption, there are many things you should consider before you start the process. Being an adoptive parent will bring many changes to your life and the lives of those in your family. Not only should you be aware of the legal process regarding adoption, but you must also… Read More

In Oregon, an adult may legally adopt another adult as their child. These types of adoptions are often done for emotional reasons and can legalize a parent-child relationship that the parties had for many years. Adult adoption can also be important to solidify inheritance rights and legalize a strong connection or bond between the parties. However,… Read More

If you are concerned that your loved one cannot manage their financial affairs — and a financial power of attorney was not executed — you might consider petitioning the court for a conservatorship. A conservator can assist someone who cannot make decisions about their money or property. However, it’s important to understand that there are cer… Read More

If you have an elderly family member who can no longer make decisions on their own behalf, you may consider a guardian arrangement. Not to be confused with a conservatorship (which has to do with financial decision-making), an adult guardianship is a legal arrangement to assist an incapacitated individual with making healthcare and personal decisio… Read More

Paid family leave is critical for new parents, whether their family has grown due to the birth of a child, by adoption, or through foster care. Unfortunately, many employers do not pay their employees for the time they take off to bond with a new child, and they are not required to do so. Although there is currently no mandate in Oregon that family… Read More