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Gevurtz Menashe

PDX 503.227.1515
WA 360.823.0410

Since 1982.

Creating Peace of Mind for Yourself & Your Loved Ones

Estate planning is all about protecting yourself and those who mean the most to you. With a rock-solid estate plan, you can rest assured you’ll be taken care of in your times of need and that, after your passing, your assets and affairs will be properly handled.

While this can be a difficult subject to discuss and seem hard to implement — which may be why an estimated 50%-70% of Americans have no estate plan — it’s a necessary one. By embarking on this, you can be prepared for the future and make some of the most trying periods of transition for your family a little easier.

Gevurtz Menashe has the expertise required to form thorough, high-quality estate plans. Moreover, we can demystify the process so it’s not so overwhelming to you.

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Our Extensive Estate Planning Practice — More Than Just Wills

Estate planning encompasses several services. Gevurtz Menashe has experience in the following aspects of estate planning.

Asset Protection Planning

​The estate planning attorneys at Gevurtz Menashe have a deep understanding of asset protection law and planning. As part of the initial planning phase, we can help structure your estate to best suit the long term interests of yourself and your family. 

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Beneficiary Selection

We advise clients on the estate and income tax impacts of beneficiary selection, understand IRAs, 401ks, and pension plans, and recommend beneficiary designations that fit within each unique estate plan.

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Charitable Planning

Charitable gifts can take many forms and can yield substantial tax advantages if made properly during one’s lifetime or at death. Our attorneys have experience helping clients make charitable gifts of many sizes and variations.

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Estate & Gift Taxes

Estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax returns are vastly different from income tax returns. Gevurtz Menashe estate planning attorneys know the rules and requirements, which are vital to ensuring a favorable outcome.

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Irrevocable Trusts

Irrevocable trusts are created for many reasons such as reducing estate or income taxes, offering creditor protection, or encouraging and instilling in beneficiaries certain values or goals. Many types of assets can be held in an irrevocable trust.

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Life Insurance Planning

Life insurance is a relatively easy way to provide for your family. With simple monthly payments, you can purchase a life insurance policy that will disburse to the named beneficiaries upon your death. Choosing the right life insurance is an important piece of the estate planning process that ensures your loved ones are taken care of financially after your passing.

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Planning for Incapacity

Incapacity planning ensures you're able to speak for yourself in all decisions, from your medical care to financial affairs. As part of the initial planning and ongoing maintenance of our estate plan, our attorneys use various tools to help plan for incapacity in the event something should happen to you.

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Probate & Estate Administration

Gevurtz Menashe estate planning attorneys have extensive experience helping people navigate estate administration and probate issues. Call us today at 503-227-1515 or contact us online to learn more or schedule a consultation.

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Trustee Representation

Working with a trust attorney is vital to ensuring the Trustee is protected in fulfilling his or her legal obligations. A trust attorney can also help ensure the trust’s beneficiaries receive the maximum potential benefits, and minimize any applicable estate taxes.

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Wills and Revocable Trusts

Wills and revocable trusts are the cornerstones of an estate plan. They allow you to direct how and when your assets will be distributed to your beneficiaries, and to appoint who will make important decisions on behalf of you.

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Why Hire Estate Planning Law Firm Gevurtz Menashe?

Gevurtz Menashe has been at the forefront of estate planning for more than four decades. During this time, we’ve counseled and worked tirelessly for countless clients so that their affairs are in order. When not busy drafting trusts and estate planning, we’re active contributors and leaders in our communities and industry.

Because of our dedication, diligence, and legal mastery, we’re held in high regard by our clients and peers. We’re ready to put our estate planning talents to work for you.

You Know Being Prepared is Important.

Making a list is more than thinking ahead. It helps ensure that things get done correctly and completely. Having a comprehensive, properly-crafted estate plan accomplishes the same. We give you personalized attention and solutions so that you're ready for the future.

You Like Simplifying.

Life is hard enough. Having a plan in place reduces the burdens for future caregivers and heirs. Allocating assets, securing long-term care, etc. are much easier to do when all your directives are officially documented. With our experience and know-how, the process isn't overly complicated either.

You Want the Best Results.

Positive outcomes mean a lot to those with intricate estates or who are involved in probate or difficult estate settlement cases. We provide smart, actionable advice, thoughtful representation, and sound legal instruments to help clients mitigate and resolve challenges as successfully, efficiently, and painlessly as possible.

How We Work Together

1. A Collaborative Process

Working with an estate planning attorney can mean divulging a lot of deeply personal or sensitive details of your life. The actions taken can have a significant impact on you and your family for years to come. We address each client and case with proper respect and professionalism. It's why we work so hard to make our process inclusive, communicative, and transparent.

2. A Team the Cares

Gevurtz Menashe is committed to helping people, especially when it comes to making critical estate decisions. It's core to what we do, how we do it, and who we are as a law firm and individuals. When you engage our attorneys, you become a part of our extended family. You'll feel this sentiment " in our actions and words " from your initial consultation onward.

3. A Wealth of Resources

Having a slate of stellar estate planning lawyers on your side goes a long way. But, you're probably also going to need the knowledge and skills of medical resources, financial planners, and other professionals as you move through various stages of life. You can confidently tap into our vetted network of seasoned subject matter experts to get the assistance you require.

Meet Your Estate Planning Strategy Lawyers

Attorneys

  • Stefan Wolf Stefan Wolf Shareholder
    Stefan Wolf

    Stefan Wolf

    Shareholder
    Stefan views his role as a strong support system, guiding people through the critical personal and financial choices involved in estate planning. As an experienced estate planning attorney, he regularly assists clients with wills, trusts, planning for incapacity, gift tax returns, estate tax returns, and probate and trust administration matters. Anchored by his attentive spirit and genuine charm, Stefan offers clients both candid and compassionate counsel – recognizing estate planning as one of the most important aspects in a person’s financial life. He approaches each client’s unique situation by identifying their personal and financial goals so that their estate can be handled in accordance with their wishes and in a tax-efficient manner. 

    As a Portland native, Stefan enjoys skiing, soccer, and spending time with his family. When asked where he would live if he could choose any place in the world, he’s quick to respond with his hometown of Portland, but admits the island of Kauai comes in at a close second.

  • Sara Winter Sara Winter Shareholder
    Sara Winter

    Sara Winter

    Shareholder
    Sara has a natural talent of instantly connecting with people. Both personally and professionally, building great relationships has always been the cornerstone of her success. Whether she is helping clients plan for their future or guiding them through the loss of a loved one, her goal is to give clients comfort that their loved ones are taken care of, preserve their legacy, and achieve their goals. Knowing each client has different needs, and complexity of estate planning work, she strives to ensure each client understands the work being done—and more importantly, the mission behind it—in a practical and sensitive manner. With an LL.M. in Taxation, Sara uses her expertise to place a special focus on tax planning for all of her clients, whether it is income, gift, or estate related.  
       
    Sara relocated to Portland after a decade of building a successful estate planning practice in Houston, Texas. When she’s not helping clients plan for their future, you’ll likely find Sara running, baking, or spending time with her husband, their son, and their French Bulldog, Butters.

    Her professional motto is "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." –Helen Keller 
     
  • Steven Zipper Steven Zipper Shareholder
    Steven Zipper

    Steven Zipper

    Shareholder
    Steve combines his 23 years as an estate planning attorney with a solid tax background working at two of the "Big Five" accounting firms. As Shareholder of the estate planning practice Steve manages the business and assists clients with all aspects of their estate plans including wills, trusts, life insurance planning, estate and trust administration after death (including probate), as well as estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax planning. Steve’s focus is on helping people plan for protecting what is important to them, both during life and upon their death.  

    As an estate planning attorney, Steve is a sincere advocate and planner, working with clients through the complexities of their situations. In his personal life Steve enjoys spending time with his family, bicycling around Portland and planning for his next big travel adventure!
     
Meet our entire team!

We're Honored

But don't just take our word for it. Our efforts and abilities have earned the recognition of the legal community. Here are just a few of the awards we've won for excellent service and results for clients like you. 
  

Our Locations

Portland

Vancouver

FAQ

  • What is an estate plan?

    What is an estate plan?

    Estate planning is the process of declaring — in a legally-binding manner — how you’d like your assets to be managed or disposed of upon your death. Many estate plans also include directives for long-term care or what to do if an individual is incapacitated. Common artifacts of estate planning include wills and trusts.

  • Why is it important to have an estate plan?

    Why is it important to have an estate plan?

    Understanding why estate planning is important is key. Having an estate plan helps to ensure that your needs and wishes are documented so that they can be carried out in your absence. An estate plan allows you to choose who will make important decisions on your behalf, name your beneficiaries, and protect your assets.
     

  • How long is the estate planning process?

    How long is the estate planning process?

    The amount of time it takes depends on the nature and complexity of the estate plan and how speedily each party is able to provide necessary documentation.

  • When should I start creating an estate plan?

    When should I start creating an estate plan?

    Some experts suggest establishing your first estate plan as soon as you become a legal adult. Others recommend creating an estate plan when you start accumulating assets (e.g., a house) or growing your family (e.g., getting married or having children). At the very least, it makes sense for those nearing retirement to have their affairs in order. However, an estate plan is a safety net that can be helpful for a person (and their loved ones) at any age or life stage. Once you have an estate plan, you should review it on a periodic basis and update it as needed.

Estate Planning in Oregon & Washington with the Area’s Top Attorneys

All it takes to begin your estate plan is a quick call or message to Gevurtz Menashe. You can reach us by phone at our Portland (503-227-1515) or Vancouver (360-823-0410) office or submit the contact form below.

We’ll get in touch to set up a consultation with a lawyer who specializes in estate planning in Washington or Oregon. During your appointment, you can ask all your questions — and start crafting your necessary documents.
 
Schedule a Consultation!