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Oregon Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning and Family Law for Oregon on
Q: How can my mother structure my brother's SNT to avoid funds becoming "marital assets" in the event of his divorce?

My mother plans to create a Special Needs Trust for my brother to manage any inheritance that he receives from her. This inheritance could exceed $500k. My brother is married, on disability, and a very poor money manager. My mother’s primary goals are to ensure that my brother has a safety net... View More

Jason E. Neufeld
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Jason E. Neufeld
answered on Feb 1, 2024

Your mother can create a Third Party Special Needs Trust (it can be embedded in her Living Trust or stand-alone). Mom can/should name anyone OTHER than your brother to serve as the trustee for this SNT with him as beneficiary. As an example: you could be trustee for your brother (in charge of... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: Can a trustee/ beneficiary live on the property that is to be sold and divided? For almost two years? Not even for sale

They were initially planning to buy out the other beneficiaries and build on the property for themselves. But they didn’t, still live there and haven’t placed the 30 acres and house for sale two years after the trust has come to complete maturity. So they just have the property, do whatever... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Jan 8, 2024

If you are a beneficiary of this Trust and are supposed to receive a portion of this property I recommend you hire an attorney to assist you.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Oregon on
Q: I need advice from a Lawyers point of view on a Petition for General Judgement of Final Distributions case.

I really don't know where to begin, there is too much to type. My mother passed away a little over 2 years ago. I was told her and her husband had a will then they said they didn't and then they did again. My mother had 4 children and her husband has 3. They have not been around but maybe... View More

Karn Thapar
Karn Thapar
answered on Dec 11, 2023

You will need to seek the counsel of a litigator who has experience with probate. The distributions in a probate happen near the end of probate proceedings and if there is a conflict or contest with respect to the will, that is where the experience of a litigator will help. The amount of time... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: Does an Oregon pour-over will have to go through probate if it uses the power of testamentary to create a new trust?

Our mother passed away in Oregon in 2019 and used her power of testamentary in her will to create a new trust for her grandkids from money in her other trusts. It never went through probate as far as I know. Looking online now, it seems to me like maybe it was supposed to go through probate because... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Dec 4, 2023

Yes, usually you must probate a Will in order to implement a testamentary trust, however, you bring up several facts that could change this answer (mom's other trusts and the fact that mom died four years ago). I recommend you consult with an experienced probate attorney who can help you sort... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Oregon on
Q: Stepfather with living trust in my home. He passed and new wife is still living. Do I need to give 30 days notice?

What are my rights to the home after the 30 days? All of his estate goes to her, do I have to allow them more time past 30 days to settle his estate and to move their things? She is incapacitated so the family is working on getting governorship, etc. I'm guessing this could take longer than 30... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Nov 29, 2023

I think you need to consult with a landlord/tenant attorney to answer your questions. If it is necessary to get Guardianship over your stepfather's wife then it's possible that process could take more than 30 days.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: In Oregon, is it allowed for a beneficiary named in a will to be an executor of that same will?
Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Oct 18, 2023

Yes, a devisee in a Will can also be named as the Personal Representative (Oregon's term for Executor). That same person can even be one of the two witnesses to the Will. In general, it is best for an attorney to draft and supervise the signing of the Will so that the attorney could testify... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Elder Law and Probate for Oregon on
Q: Dad's wife passed. Can he sell jointly held home (Oregon)? Do her adult children from previous marriage get anything?

Dad's wife's will leaves everything to my dad but if he's also deceased then her 3 sons each get 25% of the estate. Does his will supersede his wife's or does he have to follow her will?

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Oct 17, 2023

The answer to your question depends on how the home in Oregon is titled. If the Deed shows both of their names as "husband and wife" or "tenants by the entirety" then the house belongs to your father and he has full authority to sell it and keep the proceeds. If it... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: Mom died intestate w/a 350K estate. How do I stop my sister (other heir) from stealing everything pending end of probate

The heirs are just us two daughters. I found out my younger sister has been stealing assets and has liquidated 3 bank accounts and has every intention of selling everything and keeping all of the money and not probating the estate that includes 2 homes and collectibles and cash. How do I stop her... View More

Karn Thapar
Karn Thapar
answered on Sep 19, 2023

From the fact pattern that you have described, it does appear that you are entitled to a portion of the estate. If your sister distributes the entire estate to herself, she will be violating intestacy laws and her responsibilities as personal representative if she has been so named. However,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: -My husband passed away on June 29th. He was an independent contractor with a communication company here in Oregon.

He was paid monthly on a contract with a client that he had negotiated with. When I didn't receive his monthly check, I called and the company told me that they stopped paying him upon his death even though they had received payments from his customer. Are they able to just stop paying upon... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Sep 8, 2023

I'm very sorry for your loss. Your instinct to view the contract is a good one. I can't imagine that their "internal decision" will control what happens with the remainder of the contract payments. You may need to file a probate to collect the remainder of the contract. I... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: My wife passed away this month. Do I need to go through probate if we have joint accounts in the banks.

The only thing separate is her IRA. We had a will made over 30 years ago.

Karn Thapar
Karn Thapar
answered on Aug 29, 2023

The answer to the question of whether or not your wife's estate needs to go through probate depends on which assets she left behind. If the only assets that she left behind are the joint bank accounts and an IRA, then you may not need to go through probate. This is if the bank accounts list... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Oregon on
Q: Does joint tendency on property on a joint deed apply to a second property owned by just one of the tenants ?
Karn Thapar
Karn Thapar
answered on Aug 22, 2023

Generally speaking, it does not. The deed for real property generally takes preference over any estate planning document in place, such as a will or a trust. For the property which had a joint tenancy, both of the individuals listed would be co-owners. However, if another property had just one... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: What can I file if my deceased significant others personal representative won't acknowledge his will and omitted it.

The personal representative filed small estate with out including the will, is with holding my inheritance and won't communicate with me or release property left to me.

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Aug 7, 2023

You should be able to file the Will with an Amended Small Estate Affidavit. I recommend you hire a probate attorney to assist you with this.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: I am fighting cancer and my brother filed an affidavit 7 months ago for my moms estate and never disclosed me as an heir

He has been telling me her estate is not settled but I had an investigator find the affadavit where he didn't disclose me as an heir. He has been lying to me and took everything. I am going to hospice and have large medical bills I told him I needed help How do I get my portion of my... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Jul 7, 2023

I'm sorry to hear you are having to deal with so much. Is it possible that your mother had signed a Will? Even if the answer is "Yes" you should have been included on the Small Estate Affidavit and received a copy of it in the mail from your brother. I recommend you hire a probate... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Oregon on
Q: Can I refuse a life estate?

My father who lives in Oregon, said he has set up his trust gifting me his house and property through a life estate. I live in another state, and have to interest in receiving the home. Can I refuse?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 3, 2023

You can disclaim a conveyance. A recorded disclaimer in the property's County will work. But you might want to read the Trust first as it might have other provisions. Also your Father might amend or revoke the Trust. You need to wait until the Life Estate vests before disclaiming it.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Foreclosure and Elder Law for Oregon on
Q: I am looking into getting stuff together, like a POA, Trust, Will for my 81 year old mother. Also looking to defer taxes

My sister and I live with mom and we are all on disability. I don't know what all we need to do for all of this and we can't afford and attorney. We need property taxes to keep from going into foreclosure. Any help will be appreciated.

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Jun 30, 2023

Go to this website and follow the steps to help your mother defer her Oregon property taxes:

https://www.oregon.gov/dor/programs/property/pages/senior-and-disabled-property-tax-deferral-program.aspx

If your mother lives in Multnomah County she may be eligible for free legal...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: Is the trustee obligated to account to beneficiaries for funds held in reserve?

We think the trustee has just taken reserve funds for himself. For example attorney reserve the courts allowed be held. The trustee refuses to send us bank statements for the trust accounts so that we can verify the funds that are supposed to be there are still there. Says he doesn't have to,... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Jun 26, 2023

You are correct. The trustee must account for how all of the trust monies are spent. I recommend contacting the trustee's attorney instead of the trustee directly.

You are also correct that it's the Court case that is closed, not the trust. The trust is not terminated until all...
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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Oregon on
Q: What is the law around amending revocable trust, adding child to house title or deed?

He wants to add me to the house title or deed and give it to me through a trust. He owes @$20,000 in property taxes and $60,000 on the mortgage. I believe he has a revocable trust now that needs only to be amended. However, we are unsure about possible issues that may arise due to the deferred... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Jun 20, 2023

I recommend that your father return to his estate planning attorney to discuss the pros and cons of adding someone to the title of his house. With few exceptions, at his death the mortgage will very likely need to be paid off and the property taxes will need to be paid. If the mortgage company... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: Need attorney for two llc, in OR and CA setting trust to avoid probateDo I need attorney licensed in both state?

Currently one sole llc operated in Portland Or

Another LLC operated in LB Ca as Oregon based foreign status

Need set up trust to own both.

Need to change LB CA from OR foreign Llc operations in CA to CA Llc

To avoid probate

Do I need an attorney licensed for... View More

Karn Thapar
Karn Thapar
answered on Apr 24, 2023

If you are residing in California, then you should be fine with just a California licensed attorney. Each of the membership interests of your LLCs will be assets that will be held in the name of your trust. Although it may be preferable to find an attorney licensed in both states in case novel... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: Is it legal for a conservator to have there name added to the conservatees bank account and upon conservatees death the

There was ,$90000.00 in my mother's bank account when she died but my sister the conservator had her name added to my mom's account and upon her death it was reported that that money doesn't belong to the estate it belongs to my sister how is that possible

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Apr 17, 2023

Having your name on someone's bank account as their Conservator does not give the money in that account to the Conservator at the person's death. Is it possible that your mother named your sister as "Payable On Death" on that account before she became financially incapable... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Oregon on
Q: Can I filed a small estate affidavit as an heir if I am not inheriting anything listed within the affidavit?

My mother passed away without a will and has a couple things that did not have a beneficiary listed (some stocks and an IRA). She was married to my father so he is the one who will receive those items. I want to file a small estate affidavit but am unsure if I can since I will not be benefitting... View More

Theressa Hollis
Theressa Hollis
answered on Mar 28, 2023

In an intestate estate (when someone dies without a Will) the people who can file the small estate affidavit are the heirs (your father, in this case) and any creditor. This means that if you pay one of your mother's bills or pay for her burial/cremation, for example, you will become a... View More

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