Elder Law PDX

• Older adults planning for their own future care and estate.
• Spouses, adult children and other family members helping a loved one with age-related legal and care decisions.
• Individuals and families needing guidance on long-term care, Medicaid, and disability-related planning.

Our philosophy and approach

• We combine legal expertise with a highly personal, compassionate approach.
• We take time to listen to your situation and concerns before recommending options.
• Legal concepts and documents are explained in clear, straightforward language.
• The goal is to reduce stress, protect you and your family, and help you feel more at ease about the future.

Experience

• Elder law and estate-focused practice based in Portland, Oregon.
• Many years of experience working with seniors and their families on health, estate and financial-related legal matters.

Educational resources

The firm provides educational resources to help people understand elder law issues, such as:

• Recorded talks and lecture series on estate and long-term care planning and the legal issues related to aging.
• Occasional online events or presentations that walk through getting affairs in order and key elder law topics.

For information about current resources or events, clients should contact the office directly.

• Counseling on how the cost of long-term care can affect a person's assets and the financial security of a healthy spouse.
• Guidance on using Medicaid rules to help protect assets while arranging for needed care.
• Support for individuals and families who are planning ahead for potential long-term care needs.

Estate planning: wills and trusts

• Planning an estate so that assets pass in line with a client's wishes.
• Preparing wills and, when appropriate, trusts to help reduce the burden on family members after a death.
• Helping clients think through practical issues that arise for survivors when administering an estate.

Probate and estate administration

• Assisting families with the legal and practical steps after a death.
• Helping with paying final bills and taxes and transferring or selling assets.
• Guiding families through probate court when court supervision is required.

Powers of attorney

• Preparing financial powers of attorney that authorize a trusted person to act if a client cannot manage finances.
• Including provisions tailored to older adults, such as directions related to long-term care planning.
• Explaining why generic forms may not address the specific needs of seniors.

Guardianships and conservatorships

• Assisting families when a loved one cannot make important decisions because of conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease or stroke.
• Petitioning the court for a guardian to make decisions about medical care and housing when needed.
• Petitioning the court for a conservator to manage finances when a person is unable to do so safely.

Advance directives for health care

• Preparing advance directives that appoint a trusted person to make medical decisions if a client cannot speak for themselves.
• Helping clients think through and document their wishes so that family members can advocate for their dignity and preferences.

Special needs trusts

• Drafting special needs trusts for people with disabilities who receive or may receive public benefits.
• Structuring inheritances or personal injury settlements so that funds can improve quality of life without causing loss of key government benefits.

For information about whether the firm can assist with a specific legal need, clients should contact the office directly.

Clients and prospective clients can contact the office by phone, email or through the contact form on the firm's website.

Office location

• The office is located in the John's Landing area of Southwest Portland, a few minutes from downtown.
• It is one block west of Macadam Avenue (Highway 43).
• The building is behind the Wells Fargo Bank, across from the bank's drive-through, between S Sweeney Street and S Flower Street.
• The office is about one mile north of the intersection of Taylors Ferry Road and Macadam Avenue, and one block south of the John's Landing Water Tower Mall.

Directions overview

Driving directions on the website provide detailed routes from:

• I-5 from the south.
• Highway 26 from the west.
• I-5 from the northeast.
• I-84 (Banfield Highway).
• Ross Island Bridge / Highway 26 from the east.

Clients can refer to the full directions on the website or call the office if they need additional help finding the building.

Parking and accessibility

• A small parking lot is located in front of the building, with ADA-accessible parking available.
• Additional free street parking is available nearby.
• If visitors need assistance with parking or access, they are encouraged to call the office at 503-548-4000.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.