Morley, Thomas & McHill, LLC
Experienced Wills, Estates and Probate Administration Lawyers in Linn County, Oregon
There is a common misconception that estate planning is only for the wealthy or the elderly. In reality, no matter what stage you are in life, having a thoughtful, well-crafted estate plan in place is essential.
Since 1940, our firm has helped clients throughout Linn County create effective estate plans and guide them through the probate administration process. We are trusted firm with deep community roots. Our attorneys will help give you the peace of mind of knowing that you have spared your loved ones the burden of decision making.
Call us at 541-258-3194 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
Giving You Control
Estate planning is important, yet often overlooked, particularly by younger people or couples with minor children. You can take steps to ensure that distribution of your assets, care of your loved ones, and medical and financial decision making, will be carried out according to your wishes when you can no longer make these decisions yourself. Without an estate plan, the State will make these decisions for you.
Effective Estate Planning Tools
We will begin by discussing your situation and understanding your goals. We will explain the different estate planning tools available, advising on the pros and cons of each. Then, we will develop an estate plan tailored to meet your needs:
- Wills — These allow you specify how your assets will be distributed after your death; it also lets you name a guardian for the your minor children should both parents die.
- Trusts — Many types of trusts are available, including testamentary trusts, special needs trusts and living trusts. Trusts provide for the management and distribution of assets according to terms you specify. A living trust can be an effective way to avoid probate.
- Powers of attorney — These allow you to designate a party to make medical and financial decisions your behalf.
- Advance health care directives / durable powers of attorney for health care — These allow you specify your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment should you incapacitated and unable to communicate these wishes yourself.
We also represent clients seeking to establish a guardianship or conservatorship over a loved one no longer able to manage his or her own personal or financial affairs due to illness or incapacity.
Probate and Estate Administration
Our experienced attorneys represent personal representatives, including executors and administrators, in the probate and estate administration process. We also counsel family members who want to understand the often-complicated process of estate distribution.
We aim to make the probate process as streamlined as possible, to ease your mind during a difficult time. Count on us for reliable guidance throughout the process:
- Filing the petition to become a personal representative of the estate
- Opening the estate
- Inventorying property
- Identifying creditors and debtors
- Accessing accounts
- Distributing assets
- Assisting with the preparation of income or estate tax returns, coordinating with accountants and other financial professionals when needed
- Preparing any accounting required by the court
When disputes arise during the probate or estate administration process, we represent parties in our civil litigation practice.
Contact Us
Schedule an appointment by calling 541-258-3194 or contact us online to begin the process of creating your estate plan or administering the estate of a loved one.
