Wills / Estate Planning and Elder Law
Call Us Today
at
(541) 485-2007
or Email
JAMES W. HOFFMAN, P.C.
EUGENE ESTATE PLANNING LAWYER
OREGON WILL
REQUIREMENTS • LEGAL ADVICE ON TRUSTS • ELDER LAW
 PRESERVE YOUR ESTATE WITH A
COMPREHENSIVE ESTATE PLAN
If you are concerned about
preserving your savings and property for your children or heirs, contact our Eugene
law office and arrange a meeting with attorney Jim
Hoffman to discuss your specific estate planning needs. If you die
intestate—with no Will—your beneficiaries will be at the mercy of
intestate laws of the State of Oregon.
WHICH PLAN IS BEST FOR YOU?
Your estate planning
needs may be extremely simple, or more complex solutions might be
indicated. We will always suggest the most economical legal solution that
secures your interests for the future. All adults should have, at a
minimum, an advance directive (living Will), a power of attorney, and a
legal Oregon Will, requirements necessary to make your intentions known
when you can no longer speak for yourself. While it is true you can write
your own Will, having an attorney draft such instruments for you prevents
having your Will invalidated for failing to meet Oregon Will requirements.
It can also help prevent contested Wills.
POWER OF ATTORNEY, ADVANCE DIRECTIVE AND OREGON
WILL
Requirements, even if you have little in savings and
property, include:
- An Advance Directive (living Will) to indicate your desires
about treatment if you can no longer speak for yourself. You will help
make the difficult decisions about life support, feeding tubes, or other
treatment options easier for your doctor, the court, and your relatives
by leaving a legal record of your desires.
- A Power of Attorney so that, if you are not able to sign
checks or handle your property, your chosen representative can do it for
you.
- A legal Oregon Will. Requirements for a Will vary by state.
This is the only way you can be sure special mementos, heirlooms, and
property will go to those you designate. More important, you can arrange
for the care of your minor children you may have custody of, now or in
the future. If you die intestate (without a Will) your property and
possessions are disposed of under strict Oregon law, and guardianship of
your children will be decided by Oregon courts as well.
If a member of your family has yet to complete an advance directive
(living Will) or appoint a power of attorney, who will make the personal
decisions regarding their health and finances if they become unable to do
so? Attorney James W. Hoffman can help you petition for guardianship when
a person becomes so incapacitated that he or she is in danger of serious
physical injury or illness. The guardian will provide continuing care
and supervision. If your family member cannot manage his or her financial
resources, Mr. Hoffman can also help with the appointment of a conservator
who will handle their business affairs.
A MORE COMPLEX ESTATE PLAN PROVIDES TAX PLANNING REGARDING
FEDERAL ESTATE TAXES AND OREGON INHERITANCE TAXES, AND REDUCES PROBATE
EXPENSES
Probate
is a public court process by which ownership of property is
reassigned after a person’s death. It is not always a good idea to avoid
probate, but it is always a good idea to avoid unnecessary taxes. Attorney
James W. Hoffman will evaluate your estate and may recommend:
- A Revocable Living Trust which transfers ownership of your
assets to a trustee while you are alive. You can serve as the trustee
with your chosen designee as a successor in case of your death or
disability.
- Tax planning to preserve your assets for your heirs as you
build your estate.
- A Life Insurance Trust, which transfers life insurance
proceeds out of your estate and preserves them for beneficiaries, to
help you save on death taxes and probate expenses. This is irrevocable
and should only be done on the advice of an experienced Oregon estate
planning lawyer.
- A business succession plan to ensure that your small
business can be continued as you direct in the event of your death
or disability.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE AN ESTATE
PLANNING LAWYER? You cannot afford to
wait. Contact
Oregon estate planning attorney James W. Hoffman today and arrange for
a consultation with us to determine what plan would be best for you. You
will have our thirty-three plus years of experience in the practice of
Oregon Will and estate planning on your side. Call (541)
485-2007 today!
James W. Hoffman, P.C.
Attorney at
Law
975 Oak Street
Suite 600
Eugene, OR 97401
Phone:
(541) 485-2007
Fax: (541) 342-8569
Attorney with Over Thirty-Three Years
of Experience On Your Side Serving the Oregon Communities of Eugene,
Springfield, Florence, Corvallis, Albany, Cottage Grove, Creswell,
Bend, and La Pine.
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to
be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice
regarding your own situation.
Copyright © 2006 by James
W. Hoffman, P.C. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials
available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial
distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement.
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