Legal guardianship solutions are available for minor children and incapacitated adults It’s never easy emotionally when you realize that an adult in your life is becoming incapacitated, or when a minor child needs someone other than a parent to manage their safety, care, and life decisions. Fortunately, Oregon offers different types of legal guardianship as a means to assist families with their loved ones’ care needs.  Oregon law specifies 3 kinds of legal guardianships. Let’s talk through what each type is and when it might be needed. What is a legal guardian? For starters, in Oregon a c ..read more

In Oregon, a typical estate takes 6-9 months to complete probate. If you expect to receive a bequest, that time can feel like it moves far too slowly. You might also be aware of companies that offer an inheritance advance, giving you a lump sum faster… but at a cost. An inheritance advance can be tempting, but is it a good idea? What is an inheritance advance? Put simply, an inheritance advance is money that a company provides you, in exchange for a payment. Inheritance advances are often compared to payday loans, where a person can receive an amount of money that’s paid back, often at high in ..read more

Oregonians can use this specialized trust for a taxpayer spouse who is not a US citizen Love might not know boundaries or citizenship, but taxes do. Surviving spouses can be eligible for estate tax exemptions. However, a spouse who is not a US citizen is ineligible and may face much higher estate taxes. When providing for a spouse who is not a US citizen, your Oregon estate planning may require more speciality legal instruments to achieve favorable tax treatment. Under many legal circumstances, a surviving spouse can often take full advantage of a tax deduction on estate taxes. However, when t ..read more

Understanding what a guardian is and what a conservator is You might have seen it on a permission or a release form: “parent or guardian.” Or perhaps headlines about someone being in a “conservatorship” has piqued your interest, but also stirred up your confusion. After all, what are guardianships and conservatorships in Oregon? Are they for health? Finances? Adults? Minor children? The simple answer is… yes, all of the above. The right role for a situation depends on the specific circumstances. Are guardians and conservators different words for the same thing? It can seem like “guardian” and ..read more

Who you include, exclude, and don’t mention in your estate can make all the difference in whether someone receives a bequest or is left out When people consider whether or not they need an Oregon will, or who to include and exclude in their estate, it can get confusing. After all, does someone need to mention their stepchildren? Or a cousin or friend? Since Oregon estate and probate law specify who is an heir, sometimes people think that means they don’t need to have an estate plan at all. Misunderstanding the difference between an heir and a beneficiary can be a big mistake. These mistakes ca ..read more

Keep these legal matters in mind as you plan to grow your craft beverage business No matter when, where, or how you started your craft beverage business, you’ve made gains and realized that you’re ready to scale up your startup brewery, winery, distillery in Oregon. Strategizing your growth isn’t just a matter of production. Legal considerations come into play that could affect your plans, profits, and future strategy. As you review your business plan, talk with your key players, and consider what a scaled-up operation might look like, keep these legal factors in mind too. Does your current sq ..read more

Grief has emotional and pragmatic sides. An estate plan helps you work through both Estate planning isn’t just about the pragmatic nuts and bolts of what to do with your property after you pass away. It can also help families prepare for and grieve loss healthily, especially when it involves kids and grief. This came home to me personally, when my kids and I watched the movie Over the Moon together. Loss is part of life, and I deal with that every day in my work helping people prepare and manage estates. I’m also a parent. I’ve learned how integral estate planning is in helping people work thr ..read more

Oregon landlords may face many difficult circumstances, but one of the most heart-wrenching and challenging can be when a tenant dies. Fortunately, Oregon law covers some aspects of this event, and others are up to your discretion. Landlord best practices in the event of tenant death The information below gives you some high-level understanding of what to do and what not to do when a tenant dies. For help with your specific situation or a better understanding of how the law applies to the situation you are working through, please contact Megan for a consultation. Notify the authorities For sta ..read more

Every brewery, winery, and distillery needs an estate plan The founders, owners, key management, and rank-and-file employees all take pride in what they help make. However, through retirement, change of interest, health, or other circumstance, all founders and owners need to consider how to transition out of running the business. Whether a brewery, distillery, or winery, succession planning for Oregon craft beverage businesses is key to the long-term health of your operation. There are many ways stakeholders and partners can plan how to pass the reins to a new generation, employees, or another ..read more

Going pro? Let’s take care of the law so you can take care of the wine Wine country from Portland to Medford continues to hold opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to start a winery in Oregon. As of 2021, 1,058 bonded wineries call Oregon home. Room remains for new wineries, vineyards, and blenders, but pro winemaking isn’t just about the wine. It’s also about complying with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Whatever stage your winery startup is in, let’s look at some of the legal issues you may need to take care of. 1. What names do you want to use for your winery and wines ..read more