THE SMITHS The Smiths came to Affordable Estate Planning after the death of the matriarch of the family. She had a home, RV, some money in a bank account and no will. The first thing that had to be done was to open probate. The woman’s three adult children had been close for years, the celebrated events and holidays together. But, when their mother passed they all handled it different ways. One wanted control of everything, another was still grieving, and the third threw the

The HIPAA Authorization is one of the most overlooked — and most important — legal forms for families with young adults or aging parents. Here’s why: HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) protects medical privacy. Without a signed HIPAA Authorization, doctors and hospitals legally cannot share medical information with you — even if you’re the parent or spouse. That means in an emergency, you could be left in the dark. A HIPAA Authorization allows: Acce

PORTLAND, Ore (KOIN) – Around this time of year, family gatherings may mean some awkward conversations, including what older family members plan for the future. That’s where our sponsors at Affordable Estate Planning come in. Affordable Estate Planning makes wills and trusts accessible and approachable, and they come in to take some of the awkwardness out of planning for the future. Everyday Northwest host Ally Osborne spoke with owner and attorney Chad Fuss about how to red

Over the next few months, most people will be spending at least a little, if not a lot, of time with immediate and extended family. This is a time you catch up, reminisce, and check in on how everyone is doing. It’s also a time when wills, estate planning, and long-term care begin to come up in conversation with aging family members, or really need to come up. Here are some tips to help make it less painful for everyone. Gather information beforehand. Know what a will, trust,

Chad was invited to do an interview with Canvas Rebel Magazine. Here it is below: We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chad Fuss. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chad below. Chad, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back at the decisions you made early in your career, particularly whether to join a firm or start your own, do you feel you made the right choice for that stage of your career? When I was firs

One of the most important parts of our job is being available to help people during a crisis. Over the past few years , we have been there for families during some of the hardest moments of their lives, and at times it feels like you know them and grieve with them, even if the relationship is only fleeting. Earlier this year, we received a call from a son whose mother was just put on hospice at home. She had lived her whole life in Oregon City and had been in the same house

This was our first year participating in the Lake Oswego Wine Walk, and it was so much fun. We want to give a special shout-out to Oswego Skate Co., Liz Hartman, and the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce because without Jen, Matt, and Joyce, we would never have been able to participate in this event or throw this killer party. The Downtown Lake Oswego Wine Walk is an annual event that showcases businesses in the downtown Lake Oswego area. You purchase a ticket and get 12 coupon

A few months ago, we decided to try something new; we wanted to have a float in a parade. Everyone asked us when we would have the time...

No matter where we go, people ask us about the difference between a will and a trust. Lots of people we meet with, whether it's Lake...

We love supporting our community, and part of that is hosting booths at local markets to answer estate planning questions while offering...

Why do I need a trust? People often think that trusts are for the wealthy and that the average person doesn't need anything more than a...

Why You Need a Will: Because You Want to Protect Your Loved Ones and Legacy When someone passes away without a Will , it’s called dying intestate . That's a fancy way of saying that the state steps in to decide what happens next. Unfortunately, this often leads to unnecessary delays, extra expenses, and avoidable emotional strain for your family. When there is no will: ⚖️ The Court Decides Who Gets What Unfortunately, without a will, you don’t get to choose who inherits your

Grantor/ Settlor> Trustee> Beneficiary With a will , you write down who gets what assets and that's it, but with a trust you have much more control over who gets what, how much they get, when they get it, and if there is anything else they need to do to receive it. Trusts are more complex than wills, which means you need someone to enact your wishes. This is where the trustee comes in. As the grantor/ settlor, you dictate who receives what assets, who your children or pets

The biggest mistake you can make with your estate planning is simply not doing it. Waiting because you don't think you need it, would rather not face your mortality, or don't think you have enough money for it. It's something that no one wants to think about, but everyone needs. Although that is the number one issue we see, there are a few other mistakes you can make as well. 🤦‍♂️Like getting a Power of Attorney that isn't "durable." Just missing that one word could mean th

I'm Chad Fuss, Esq., and having kids changed my views on wills and trusts. It made me realize how important estate planning is for everyone. It's not just for the rich; it's vital for all normal working families. Wills and trusts are a way to protect your family, to pass on assets, and could help you build generational wealth. Do you want just anyone to raise your kids? Do you want your irresponsible sibling or uncle to be in charge of your money? What about your pets? Can th

Protect your college students and adult children. Parents want what is best for their children, no matter what age they are, but in most states, their legal rights to assist their child significantly decrease when they turn 18. This means if your unmarried teen or adult child gets into an accident or has a serious medical emergency, leaving them incapacitated, you will not automatically have the right to access their medical records, make medical decisions, or handle their fi