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...Read More
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...Read More
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...Read More
In 2025, Catalyst Law welcomed new Senior Counsel Mary Dougherty, a seasoned Oregon tax and estate planning attorney, and celebrated the return of Associate Attorney Amanda Caffall after 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.Read More
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...Read More
Planning for Life—Not Just Death, Under Oregon Law When most people think about estate planning, they focus on what happens after they die—who gets the house, the savings, or the family heirlooms. But a truly effective estate plan also protects you during your lifetime, especially if you become injured, ill, or develop dementia (termed “financially...Read More
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 A well-drafted will or trust can fail if assets are titled incorrectly or outdated beneficiary designations are overlooked.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...Read More
I. Form of Ownership. A good estate plan should include a review of how your assets are titled. The form of ownership can affect the availability of estate tax exemptions, creditors’ rights, and which document controls how the asset is distributed at your death. II. Last Will and Testament. A written Will is a legal...Read More
At a conference in New York sponsored by the Practicing Law Institute on February 13, 2017, Treasury and IRS officials discussed two new Trump administration policy changes limiting substantive IRS guidance for “a while.” The first policy is the administration’s unusual “one-in, two-out” executive order, which generally requires agencies to eliminate two regulations for every...Read More
Under the current federal transfer tax system, there is a 40% tax on estates of individuals dying with more than $5.49 million in assets. Gifts made during lifetime are added to transfers at death for purposes of calculating the $5.49 million limit. (With proper planning, the limit is doubled for married couples.) Transfers greater than...Read More
Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.
Kofi Annan
The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all content, laws change frequently and may vary by jurisdiction. You should not act or rely on any information found on this site without first seeking the advice of a qualified attorney who is familiar with your specific legal situation.
Reading or interacting with this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Catalyst Law, LLC or any of its attorneys. If you have questions about your personal circumstances, we encourage you to contact our office directly to schedule a consultation.
