Will, Trust, and Durable Powers of Attorney

Eugene Probate Lawyer

If you need legal assistance with a will, trust, or durable powers of attorney in the greater Eugene area, contact the Eugene probate attorney at the firm. Attorney John Billington focuses his practice on probate matters as well as wills, trusts, and durable powers of attorney. As a Eugene probate lawyer, he is well-versed in Oregon laws pertaining to estates and can provide thorough and comprehensive legal help with these estate planning tools and devices.

Wills

Everyone needs a will, regardless of their net worth. A will is an instrument in which you can name who you want to take care of your affairs after you die and allows you to specify how you wish your assets and property to be distributed and to whom. A will does not mean that your estate will not go through probate. Probate is necessary for the transfer of property. However, without a will, your estate will be settled according to state laws, with no input from you.

Trusts

A revocable living trust is an excellent tool to use in estate planning which helps to avoid probate and minimizes the possibility of disputes while allowing you to retain control of your property and assets while you are still alive. A living trust permits property to avoid probate and to quickly be passed to your beneficiaries without having to go through the time and expense of probate court proceedings. A living trust involves a document called a declaration of trust in which you name yourself as the trustee of the property which will be passed along to your beneficiaries, whom you also name.

Durable Powers of Attorney

In durable powers of attorney, you name the persons whom you wish to act on your behalf in a financial, legal, or medical matter. Powers of attorney may be special or limited to one type of activity or they may be general. A general power of attorney may authorize another to manage your affairs for you when you are unable to do so. A health care power of attorney authorizes the person named to make decisions about end-of-life care or other medical decisions when you are unable to do so.

For assistance with any of these estate matters, it is recommended that you speak to the Eugene probate lawyer at the firm as soon as possible.