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Gevurtz Menashe

PDX 503.227.1515
WA 360.823.0410

Since 1982.

Wills and Revocable Trusts

Serving Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA

Be Prepared with Estate & Wealth Management Plans

No one likes thinking about what’ll happen when they’re gone. Doing so can raise a range of intense feelings. 

Having a thoughtful, well-crafted will or trust can help. Knowing that your loved ones are taken care of and your affairs are in order is bound to ease your mind.

With over 40 years in practice, Gevurtz Menashe estate planning lawyers are experts at crafting wills and revocable trusts that match your individual needs. We can advise you on tax-efficient strategies, help you through the probate process, and provide any additional legal services you require.

 

Schedule a Consultation

The Cornerstones of Estate Planning

Wills and revocable trusts are mainstays of most estate plans. They enable you to say how and when your assets should be given to beneficiaries. You can also use these documents to appoint someone to make important decisions on your behalf.

Wills & Revocable Trusts

Will and revocable trust are legal contracts that outline your final wishes. They both enable you to articulate things like:

  • How you want your assets (e.g., property, money, and personal belongings) disbursed
  • Who your beneficiaries are
  • Who you’d like as executor of the will
  • Who you’d like to assume care for dependents
  • How you’d like your remains handled
  • How to resolve tax and debt concerns

Wills go into effect after death and must go through the probate process.

With a revocable trust (also known as a living trust), your assets are placed into the trust but you still have control over those assets during your lifetime. 
 

Which Is Right for Me?

A will is a much simpler document than a trust. As such, they tend to cost less to set up and don’t require as much ongoing attention. If you have a smaller or less complicated estate, a will may be ideal for you. 

However, a revocable trust may provide two key benefits over a will. Because they usually don’t go through the probate process, trust settlement may be less expensive and quicker than wills. Trusts also provide a way for you to plan for incapacity, not just death.

Many people have both a will and a revocable trust. You can have a will inside a trust. With this approach, you may be able to take advantage of the strengths each arrangement offers.

Working with a qualified inheritance lawyer will ensure that you create an estate plan that makes sense for you and your family.
 

In Our Client’s Words

“I worked with Sara Winter on my estate planning and she was amazing to work with and made what I thought would be an overwhelming process so simple and stress free. She is extremely knowledgable, always available for questions and just so kind and easy to talk to. Feels so good to get this task checked off my list! Thank you Sara!!!”
-Sarah Bucko

 
    

Attorneys

  • 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!
     
  • 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 
     
Meet our entire team!

FAQ

  • How can an estate lawyer help me?

    How can an estate lawyer help me?

    An estate planning lawyer can draft your will, create a revocable trust, help you develop strategies for wealth management, advise you on beneficiary designation, and more.

  • What’s the difference between a revocable trust and a will?

    What’s the difference between a revocable trust and a will?

    Revocable trusts avoid probate and provide privacy. Wills go through probate (which can make them more time-consuming and costly) and become public records.

  • How does the probate process work?

    How does the probate process work?

    Probate is a legal process that helps ensure a deceased person’s estate is settled according to their will and applicable laws. The process involves authenticating the will, taking stock of assets, resolving debts and tax obligations, and distributing inheritances to beneficiaries.

  • What is the role of the executor of a will?

    What is the role of the executor of a will?

    The executor of a will administers the estate, pays debts and taxes, and distributes assets to beneficiaries according to the will.

  • What should I do if there are disputes among beneficiaries?

    What should I do if there are disputes among beneficiaries?

    Hire an inheritance lawyer to act on your behalf and ensure a fair trust settlement.

Our Locations

Portland

Vancouver

Gevurtz Menashe, Your Will & Trust Creation Lawyers

Gevurtz Menashe has the experience and expertise you need for all your estate planning matters. We can help you create wills and trusts so that you and your family are prepared for the future. To learn more, call our Portland (503-227-1515) or Vancouver (360-823-0410) office or fill out the contact form.