Will-based plans
A will says who receives what and who looks after your children. The powers of attorney and the directive say who decides for you while you're alive and can't.
This is the plan most people need. It fits a home with a mortgage, retirement accounts that already name a beneficiary, and a family you'd like to keep out of court arguments.
Who it suits
- Parents of children under 18 who need to name a guardian
- Couples whose children have grown and moved away
- Anyone whose last will was signed before a marriage, divorce or move
- People who own one home in one state
What a will doesn't do
A will goes through probate, the court process that confirms the executor and lets them act. For most estates here that's manageable. If you'd rather your family skip it, a trust-based plan is the alternative, and I'll tell you on the first call if it's worth the extra cost.
A guardian named in writing, not assumed
If young children lose both parents without a will, a judge picks who raises them. A will lets you choose, name a backup and leave a note about why.
Fees
One fee for the whole set
Quoted in writing before I start. If the plan turns out to be simpler than we thought, the fee goes down, not up.
One person
One flat fee for a single, widowed or divorced client.
Start this planWill, with a guardian for minor children
Financial power of attorney
Health care directive and HIPAA release
One round of changes to the draft
Signing with two witnesses and a notary
One-page summary and a binder for copies
A couple
One flat fee for two matching sets, one for each of you.
Start this planTwo wills, written to work together
Two financial powers of attorney
Two health care directives
One round of changes to each draft
One signing for both of you
One-page summary and a binder for copies
Registry of deeds recording fees and probate court filing fees are separate. Signing at your home within 20 miles of Portland is included. Farther away, I add mileage at the federal rate.
Before you choose a will
Who should I name as guardian?
Someone who shares your values and could take the children in practice, not only on paper. Name a backup too. We'll talk through it on the first call, and you can change the choice later.
Can I leave things to a friend, a charity or a pet?
Yes. A will can leave anything you own outright to anyone. For a pet, we add a short clause and a sum for the person who takes them.
Do I need a new will if I move here from another state?
A will signed properly elsewhere is usually still valid, but it may name people or refer to rules that no longer fit. I'll read it and tell you whether to keep it, amend it or replace it.
What happens to the originals?
You take the signed originals home in an envelope with a list of what's inside. I keep scanned copies, and you'll get a binder with plain copies for your executor.
Talk it over for twenty minutes
Tell me who's in the family and what you own, roughly. I'll say whether a will-based plan fits and send the fee in writing.