Top best Estate Planning Lawyers Near me in ZIP 97211

You hear it in most legal circles - Portland is a small legal community. And within this community there is a dearth of cost-effective business attorneys for small to mid-tier businesses. The business attorneys at the mid-size and larger firms in Portland are skilled in dealing with large companies and organizations. Unfortunately, this does not translate well for the small business owner. Billable hour requirements and considerable overhead expenses prevent many corporate attorneys from providing legal advice to small businesses at costs that they can afford. Levinson Law is able to meet this niche by providing cost-effective, highly competent corporate attorney services for small business owners and their families.A law school friend of mine told a story where a professor at our law school was lamenting that most attorneys entering into the practice were "K thru JD" meaning that they went from kindergarten to getting their juris doctorate without ever working in a real job. These attorneys know plenty about the law, yet do not have real world experience to guide them as they provide small business owners with legal advice. Unlike these attorneys, I have had quite the adventure prior to my law degree.

With over 25 years of experience, Michael's practice is concentrated on complex estate planning, estate and trust administration, guardianship and conservatorships, as well as dispute resolution. Michael defines his role not only as a legal advisor, but as a counselor to help his clients determine solutions based on their own values and objectives. Michael is a certified mediator focusing on resolving contested matters involving his areas of practice. He is a frequent author and presenter, and is dedicated to participating in civic organizations including his current position on the board of Self Enhancement, Inc. Michael's practice includes:

Theressa Hollis is a partner with the law firm of Fitzwater Law. Her practice emphasizes legal issues unique to the elderly and their families, including guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, probate estates, trust administration, and estate planning. She specializes in emergency (“temporary”) guardianships and conservatorships.

There are many decisions facing a client going through a divorce, custody or support modification.   With a background in civil litigation, Dylan works with people during these stressful times to sort out the best options.   Because of his experience in this area, Dylan continues to enjoy and excel in resolving complex property division and large asset cases.. While he could have picked any area of law, Dylan knows that family law is where he can truly make a difference. And, he chose Four Point Legal because he wants to practice with the best.

Tax with emphasis in estate planning, trust and estate administration, and related business and real estate matters.

Steve combines his 17 years as an estate planning attorney with a solid tax background working at two of the "Big Five" accounting firms. As Shareholder of the estate planning practice Steve manages the business and assists clients with all aspects of their estate plans including wills, trusts, life insurance planning, estate and trust administration after death (including probate), and business succession planning, as well as estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax planning. Steve’s focus is on helping people plan for protecting what is important to them, both during life and upon their deaths.   As an estate planning attorney, Steve is a sincere advocate and planner, working with clients through the complexities of their situations. In his personal life Steve enjoys spending time with his family, bicycling around Portland and planning for his next big travel adventure!

Stefan views his role as a strong support system, guiding people through the critical personal and financial choices involved in estate planning. As an experienced estate planning attorney, he regularly assists clients with wills, trusts, planning for incapacity, gift tax returns, estate tax returns, and probate and trust administration matters. Anchored by his attentive spirit and genuine charm, Stefan offers clients both candid and compassionate counsel – recognizing estate planning as one of the most important aspects in a person’s financial life. He approaches each client’s unique situation by identifying their personal and financial goals so that their estate can be handled in accordance with their wishes and in a tax-efficient manner.. As a Portland native, Stefan enjoys skiing, soccer, and spending time with his family. When asked where he would live if he could choose any place in the world, he’s quick to respond with his hometown of Portland, but admits the island of Kauai comes in at a close second.

My practice is focused on estate planning, which includes wills, trusts, probate, trust administration, gifting, guardianships, and conservatorships.

My approach to practicing law is to make it as stress-free as possible for my clients. That means that I have created an environment where working with my firm is understandable, approachable and pleasant.. I have been practicing law for approximately 15 years and my area of specialization is estate planning, which includes the drafting of wills, trusts and also handling probate matters. As mentioned previously, taking care of my clients is my top priority, and as such, I charge a flat fee for nearly all of the clients that I work with.. We do not charge for new clients consultations and I do not "bill" clients when they call me to answer a simple question! Thanks for taking the time to review my biography and I look forward to working with you and your family to achieve your estate planning goals.

Kimberly works with individuals and married couples to prepare wills and trusts, estate tax minimization, guardianships for minor children, and creative solutions for a variety of individual circumstances. She also represents clients in tax controversy matters at the federal and state level. Kimberly represents fiduciaries in a wide range of estate and trust administration matters. Her legal experience also includes entity formation for start-ups, benefit corporations, and non-profit organizations. She particularly enjoys working with clients on issues at the intersection of estate planning, tax-exempt organizations, and business.. Prior to law school, Kimberly worked in the non-profit sector for close to 10 years, most recently serving as Director of Development for Ecotrust, a non-profit conservation organization headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Her experience led her to pursue a legal career in tax law with the goal of facilitating social change through philanthropy, business, and social enterprise.. Following law school, Kimberly served as General Counsel at a finance and business-consulting firm serving clients in the clean energy and sustainability sectors. She also worked as an associate attorney for a small local law firm and served as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Oregon School of Law, supervising the Portland-based In-House Counsel Externship Program.. Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Kimberly enjoys spending time with her family exploring Portland and the greater Pacific Northwest, practicing Barre3, cycling, playing cello, gardening, and cooking with fresh ingredients grown close to home.

Ken Davis brings an unusual combination of skills to his legal practice. Before becoming an attorney, Mr. Davis worked for more than eight years as an independent property and casualty insurance agent and principal with a family-owned insurance agency, assisting individuals and business with their insurance needs. He then spent four years in commercial real estate leasing with a prominent Oregon firm before turning to the practice of law. The breadth of Mr. Davis's background gives him real-world insight into the needs of clients seeking business, business succession and estate planning advice.

Karen Hobson focuses her practice on estate planning and administration, as well as tax planning and business transactions. She is experienced in the preparation of wills, trusts and other estate planning documents for high net worth individuals, and provides strategic tax and legal advice to help her clients reach their business goals. Karen regularly assists clients in the creation and development of estate plans through the assessment of assets and goals, and understands complex tax and entity planning including the use of grantor trusts and family limited liability companies. Karen also has experience advising on pre-formation planning, entity formation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, contractual interpretation issues and business succession planning.

Jonathan Bacsalmasi is an attorney at Fitzwater Law focusing on estate planning, probate, trust administration, guardianship/conservatorship, and elder Law, matters. He guides clients through the estate planning process to ensure their affairs and long-term goals are in order while also accounting for problematic family dynamics. In probate and trust administration matters, he helps clients and families through the transition period of settling a loved one’s estate.. Jonathan is passionate about working in collaboration with clients to create estate plans that anticipate and address their current needs, while also protecting family assets for future generations. He focuses on Fitzwater Law's elder law clients to discuss Medicaid planning options and to properly prepare clients for the devastating costs of long-term care.  He also assists to establish guardianship or conservatorship for individuals who need help with personal and medical decisions. Jonathan works with Veterans to plan for VA Pension and Aid & Attendance benefits. Jonathan is accredited by the US Department of Veterans Affairs and is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

John started his career in Roseburg, Oregon where he practiced estate planning, family law, and civil litigation. He now specializes in estate planning, including trusts, wills, and probate.. John has practiced at Warren Allen LLP since 2022, working on complex cases involving estate planning, family law matters, and multimillion dollar civil litigation cases related to the devastation caused by the wildfires in Oregon.. A graduate from the University of Oregon, John received his bachelor’s degree in 2012, and graduated from Willamette University College of Law in 2019. He has volunteered with the Multnomah Bar Association to educate the public on available legal resources and hosted legal presentations discussing issues that affect families across Oregon.. At home, John spends most of his time with his wife, daughter, and two pets, and is a huge sports fan, especially when it comes to discussing anything related to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Jody Stahancyk has earned the reputation as a strong woman and a formidable opponent in the courtroom who all the while has a generous heart and is a pillar of her community. Jody Stahancyk founded the family law firm in 1987 after a decade of legal work. She began her legal practice in 1973 as a Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney where she successfully prosecuted for 6 years. In 1979 she was appointed as the Referee (Pro-tem Judge) for the Multnomah County Juvenile Court where she sat until 1982. After this appointment she spent a year as an Assistant Oregon Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division. From 1983 until she began private practice in 1986, Jody was a full time mother and wife.|Since 1986, Jody has led her firm in making innovative and creative advances in the area of family law. She prides herself on creative solutions to difficult problems in every area of her work. Today, Stahancyk, Kent, Johnson & Hook has grown to over sixteen attorneys and fifty support staff with offices in Portland, Bend, Prineville and Astoria, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. SKJ&H is one of the leading family law firms in the Northwest. Jody Stahancyk’s practice emphasis is complex asset divorces.. Professional Activities: Jody is a member of the Oregon State Bar as well as a member of multiple local bars where she has served on various committees. Jody regularly lectures at continuing legal education seminars as well as being a guest lecturer at various Oregon colleges and Law Schools.Community Activities: Jody is currently on the boards of the Children’s Relief Nursery and Child Centered Solutions and has previously served on the boards of the Perry Center, Boys and Girls Club, Children’s Charity Ball, Lutheran Family Services and as a Trustee of Linfield College. Jody particularly enjoys feeding the Lincoln High School Football Team pre-game mac and cheese at the Portland Office and working with the SKJ&H High School Intern Program which includes twenty-five high school students. The SKJ&H Student Interns polish their skills in work ethic, presentation, etiquette, problem solving and creative business thinking. They also spearhead a variety of community projects including volunteering at the Children’s Relief Nursery. In 2005, the SKJ&H Student Interns produced a short film titled The Firm which they published and distributed on DVD.In 2006, Stahancyk, Kent, Johnson & Hook was honored with the 2005 Better Business Bureau Large Business of the Year Award for overall excellence in Integrity, Community Service, Community Involvement, and Innovative Business Practices. SKJ&H is the first law firm to win this prestigious award. Jody and her husband, John Crawford, and their children Seth and Kate attend Trinity Episcopal Church.

Jeana is an associate with the Wills and Estates team and her practice focuses on estate planning, probate and trust administration, and taxation.  Prior to joining Dunn Carney, Jeana practiced at Ball Janik LLP in Portland for four years.. In addition to being an attorney, Jeana holds an Oregon CPA license and has an LL.M. in Taxation.  Prior to law school, Jeana practiced as a CPA with Schultz & Crouse, CPAs in Portland for six years.  In her spare time Jeana enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

James D. McVittie, Attorney at Law, principal attorney at Legacy Preservation Law.. Jim’s desire to help others led him to start his own law firm in 2000 to focus on estate planning issues. In 2011 the firm rebranded as Legacy Preservation Law to more accurately reflect the services we provide.. Jim is a native of Washington state, receiving his undergraduate  degree in Political Science from Washington State University in 1984.  Jim attended law school at Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1987. After law school Jim passed the bar exam in both Oregon and Washington and is currently licensed to practice in both states.. Jim enjoys boating, community involvement, travel, scuba diving, kayaking, camping, hiking and skiing.

I am a partner with the law firm of Fitzwater Law.  My practice focuses on all aspects of estate planning and administration, including planning for high-net worth clients, complex trust administration, preparation of estate tax returns, and planning for people with special needs.. After 23 years of practicing estate planning and estate administration, I believe that promoting family harmony is the core of a good estate plan. My early background as a professor allowed me to develop the skills to explain the law, even technical aspects of the law like taxes and public benefits, in a way that is understandable and practical. I am a visual person so I tend to draw flowcharts and use a white board to illustrate the discussion points for my clients.. For my estate planning practice, I specialize in working with families who have complex issues such as special needs, blended family, or estate/gift tax concerns. I also enjoy estate administration and helping people organize and manage the distribution of assets when a friend or a family member has passed away. In my time off I am entertained by the antics of my two lively young girls, my charming husband, and all of our loveable pets.. Specialties: Estate planning and administration, including planning for high-net worth clients, complex trust administration, preparation of estate tax returns, and planning for people with special needs

Irina's practice is primarily concentrated in the area of business and family-based immigration. She works with domestic and international companies in developing appropriate strategies to facilitate the international transfer of skilled employees and secure temporary employment visas and permanent residence. Irina manages the relationships with key corporate clients, providing legal advice and guidance to small and large companies on the issues of immigration and compliance.  Irina also works with individual clients in the area of family-based immigration, and to date, have represented clients from over 70 countries around the world.. Irina is a native of Russia, who in 1994 was selected to participate in the Future Leaders Exchange (Flex) Program, sponsored by the United States Department of State as part of the Freedom Support Act (FSA) of 1992. She was one of 1,200 talented and motivated students who spent the 1994 academic year in the United States with a goal to enhance an understanding and dialogue between the people of the United States and Russia.  Irina graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from Portland State University in 2000.  Irina subsequently earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Lewis and Clark Law School in 2004.. Prior to founding The Batrakova Law Office (TBLO) in 2012, Irina was an Immigration Associate at one of the largest business immigration practices in the U.S. of Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC in Raleigh, NC, where she was managing the relationships with key corporate clients, providing legal advise and guidance to small, mid-size and Fortune 100 companies on the issues of immigration and compliance.  Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins, Irina was an Immigration Attorney for with a boutique firm of Samuels Yoelin Kantor LLP in Portland, Oregon, where she practiced in the area of employment-based and family-based immigration.

I was born and raised in Wisconsin and relocated to Portland in 2008. I have been licensed to practice law in Oregon since 2009.. Since 2012, I have focused my practice on estate planning, estate administration, and elder law. Prior to 2012, I represented low-income clients in family law matters as a staff attorney at St. Andrew Legal Clinic and worked as a clerk in the Clackamas County probate court.. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Erik, and our dogs, Gary and Bea. I am an avid Portland Pickles baseball fan.. Please feel free to contact me with any questions!  OR

I specialize in probate administration and estate planning.  Assisting people in dealing with the difficulties following the death of a loved one, and planning for the future to protect and care for their families is a very gratifying practice for me.  I welcome the opportunity to meet new clients.

I grew up in Portland, Oregon and enjoy all this area has to offer.  In my free time, I enjoy hiking, backpacking, camping, skiing and a multitude of other outdoor activities with my family and friends.  In addition, we have become avid Portland Thorns fans and look forward to the start of each new NWSL season.

I got into estate planning law because it’s one of the few legal practices where everyone leaves my office happy. I genuinely enjoy getting to know my clients and being a small part of their family.. Before starting my practice, I helped the estate planning clients of Ben Knaupp and Associates and worked as a corporate lawyer for KT Contracting Co., Inc. At Thatcher Smith Law I get to work closely with families and individuals through major life transitions. Whether they’re starting a small business, writing their first will, or dealing with the death of a loved one, I’ve been proud to serve them.. I’m here to make sure that your planning – whatever it entails – is done quickly and successfully. The sooner you start thinking about the future, the better you’ll be prepared to deal with it once it’s actually arrived.

I earned my J.D. Degree from Maine Law School in 1992. Since then, I have worked  in private practice, except for the five years I was a judicial officer in the Family Division of the Maine District Court where I presided over family law cases.  I am now back in private practice and feel I have been effective in helping people deal with a variety of legal issues with more flexibility.. I have represented numerous clients in Maine's District, Superior, and Probate Courts, both as an Attorney and as a Guardian ad Litem.  I work with families to set up wills and trusts, special needs trusts, and to address their other estate planning needs.

I am the Portland Branch Office Lead Member for Williams Kastner. I specialize in general civil litigation with an emphasis on health care, professional, commercial, and product liability issues. I have been listed in Best Lawyers in the area of Medical Malpractice Law since 2007, and have been named to Super Lawyers by Law & Politics magazine since 2007.. I have been lead counsel in more than 80 trials. My trial experience includes defense of accountants in cases involving investment losses, shareholder litigation, business failures, tax planning and advice, and business and personal tax liabilities.. I have served on several committees of the Oregon State Bar, including the Local Professional Responsibility Committee, the Affirmative Action Committee, and the Client Security Fund Committee. I presently serve as disciplinary counsel for the Bar. Since 1991, I have served actively as a pro-tem circuit court judge.