Your will or trust may not control everything you own. Many assets, such as retirement accounts and life insurance policies, pass by beneficiary designation, and outdated or incorrect choices can override even the most carefully drafted estate plan. Reviewing and coordinating these designations is essential to ensure your assets are distributed as you intend, avoid unnecessary taxes, and protect your loved ones.
Probate is the court process that happens after someone dies—and it can be time-consuming, expensive, and public. The good news? With proper planning, you can often avoid probate entirely.
In this article, learn:
– What probate is and why people try to avoid it;
– The top tools to bypass probate (like revocable trusts, beneficiary designations, and TOD/POD accounts)
– Common mistakes that can still land your estate in court; and
– How to protect your heirs—and your legacy
Estate planning is not just about what happens after death. Under Oregon law, a properly drafted Power of Attorney and Advance Directive protect you during your lifetime if you become incapacitated, ensuring your finances and healthcare decisions remain in trusted hands.
Oregon couples with more than $1 million in assets may face estate taxes if their plan doesn’t protect both spouses’ exemptions. Learn how marital and credit shelter trusts can help keep your family’s wealth intact.
In 2025, Catalyst Law welcomed Attorney Amanda Caffall back to the firm after she served several years in public service. Learn more about our growing legal team and how we continue to serve clients with purpose and professionalism across Portland and beyond.
Why do-it-yourself estate plans can backfire. Learn how a custom plan from an Oregon attorney can protect your family and reduce taxes.
Balancing confidentiality with practical administration is a common concern in estate planning. At Catalyst Law, we respect your privacy while helping you plan for a smooth transition. We encourage open communication about confidentiality preferences and offer tailored solutions, including written authorizations to release documents to trusted fiduciaries like your trustee, personal representative, or agent. While not required, these consents can ease administration if originals are ever lost. We also understand that some clients may wish to limit access due to privacy, family dynamics, or control concerns. Learn how you can protect your estate while honoring your values.
Take a Moment to Protect What Matters Most: As we pass the halfway point of 2025, it’s the perfect time to review your estate plan to ensure it still reflects your goals, life changes, and financial situation. Estate planning is not a “set it and forget it” process, so regular check-ins can help prevent unintended […]
Probate is the court process that happens after someone dies—and it can be time-consuming, expensive, and public. The good news? With proper planning, you can often avoid probate entirely.
In this article, learn:
– What probate is and why people try to avoid it;
– The top tools to bypass probate (like revocable trusts, beneficiary designations, and TOD/POD accounts)
– Common mistakes that can still land your estate in court; and
– How to protect your heirs—and your legacy
When evaluating estate planning services, it’s tempting to compare fees—but the true value of your plan lies in how well it actually works. A well-drafted will or trust can fail if assets are titled incorrectly or outdated beneficiary designations are overlooked.
At Catalyst Law, we go beyond documents to ensure your estate plan aligns with your goals. From asset title reviews to beneficiary coordination and built-in asset protection for your heirs, our comprehensive, fixed-fee process ensures clarity and peace of mind—without surprises.
Learn what really matters in a high-quality estate plan and how we can help.