Attorneys Practicing in this Area

Brandon Bittner, Terry Bittner

You don't need a high net worth to benefit from a strong estate plan. We serve individuals and families from all income levels. We make sure your medical and financial wishes are adhered to and that your desires for family and beneficiaries are clear and unambiguous.

• Wills

  Wills

  Every adult should have a will. A will allows you to designate the beneficiaries of your estate; to appoint a guardian for minor children; to establish a trust for your children upon your death; and to minimize income and estate tax upon your death. You should always prepare or update your will if you have a change in marital status; if you have a new child; if your children become adults; or if your financial situation has significantly changed.

• Living wills

  Living wills

  A living will provides you with the opportunity to express your health care wishes, including those regarding artificial life support, should you become unable to express those to medical providers and loved ones. This can help ensure your wishes are heard and your loved ones aren’t burdened with such overwhelming decisions. Oregon’s living will is called an Advance Directive.

• Trusts

  Trusts

  A common trust is a revocable living trust. A revocable living trust serves the same primary purpose as a will. However, unlike a will, the assets of your living trust are distributed to your beneficiaries without the necessity of probate. See the differences between a will and a revocable living trust, discussed in our article "Will vs Revocable Living Trust". Other types of trusts we draft and can administer include, but are not limited to, irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, special needs trusts, and charitable trusts. A life insurance trust is common. It is an irrevocable trust that owns your life insurance policy. Upon your death, the life insurance proceeds are paid to the beneficiaries of the trust without the life insurance proceeds being included in your taxable estate for estate tax purposes.

• Tax planning

  Tax planning

  We assist clients with tax planning for current and potential situations in their lives, including estate, inheritance, gift, income, and post-mortem tax planning. A properly drafted estate plan can significantly reduce income and estate tax upon your death.

• Insurance distribution

  Beneficiary designations

  People frequently fail to properly complete their beneficiary designation forms for their life insurance and retirement plans. These proceeds will not get distributed in the same manner as your will or living trust unless the beneficiary form is properly completed. The designation of your beneficiaries can also make a huge difference in tax consequences.

• HIPAA compliance

  HIPAA compliance

  Without written authorization, your family members will not be able to readily access your medical records. We can provide you with the necessary release and waiver forms.

• Probate/Estate settlement

  Probate/Estate settlement

  Probate is when a court oversees the transfer of property from an estate to the heirs. This can occur even if there is a will. We have extensive experience helping families through all aspects of settling an estate including contested wills, lost wills, asset inventories, settling claims, preparing and reviewing accountings, changing executors or trustees, distribution of assets, and post-mortem tax planning.