Two Spruce Law P.C.

Two Spruce Law P.C. Two Spruce Law has been setting the standards of the Estate Planning and Probate law est. 2006.

If you live in Oregon and own more than $1 million in assets, your estate will owe money to the state of Oregon when you...
02/24/2026

If you live in Oregon and own more than $1 million in assets, your estate will owe money to the state of Oregon when you die. How much your estate will owe depends on the value of your assets beyond that first $1 million. It varies accordingly, between 10 and 16 percent.

However, married couples can double this exemption. With sufficient planning, both individuals are enabled to pass their first $1 million free of the Oregon estate tax, raising your estate’s overall exemption to $2 million.

For more details, see our most recently published video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1NDkdvbg7k/

Call Two Spruce Law today for expert guidance in setting up an estate plan that best supports you and your unique needs.

Are you married and living in Oregon? Does the total value of your estate fall under the federal estate tax threshold of...
02/19/2026

Are you married and living in Oregon? Does the total value of your estate fall under the federal estate tax threshold of $15 million? If so, you may be under the impression that you do not need an estate plan to protect your assets from easily avoidable tax consequences. However, as explained in our most recently shared video, Oregon’s estate tax has a much lower exemption—just $1 million per person.

Without proactive planning, you and your spouse may end up sharing one exemption, leaving any assets beyond the first $1 million vulnerable to estate taxes. In the video, attorney Patricia Louise Nelson explains that married couples can utilize their estate plan to double this exemption.

State-specific laws can have major implications for the distribution of your estate once you and your spouse are gone. Watch the entire video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18C4LRhUPw/ and give us a call at 541-389-4646 to learn more.

02/17/2026

Imagine this scenario: You and your spouse are long-term Oregon residents. You own one home, two retirement accounts, and some investment assets that have steadily appreciated in value over time. Altogether, your estate is now valued at approximately $1.4 million. In this video, attorney Patricia Louis Nelson explains how the Oregon Estate Tax comes into play once your assets exceed $1 million.

Without proper planning, the estate in the above example will owe tens of thousands of dollars to the state once both spouses die, reducing the amount of funds available for your loved ones and/or the causes you want your assets to support after you’re gone.

There is, however, an alternative. There is a way to enable both you and your spouse to pass up to $1 million free of the Oregon Estate Tax. Reach out to Two Spruce Law via the information on our profile—let’s make sure your estate plan is structured intentionally, protecting your assets from unnecessary tax liabilities.

As a parent, you may fear that a large inheritance could reduce your child’s motivation or sense of purpose, even if the...
01/29/2026

As a parent, you may fear that a large inheritance could reduce your child’s motivation or sense of purpose, even if they do not receive it until well into adulthood. As discussed in our previously published video, there is a tool we can use, called precatory language, that can help you communicate your wishes for your children, and provide guidelines for your Trustee, leading to more responsible uses of inherited funds. By adding statements about fairness, educational priorities, family harmony, or anything else that matters to you, you can preserve flexibility while still expressing your values.

View the entire video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FQnJURTWC/ to learn more about how values-based guidance can preserve parental guidance without turning personal beliefs into rigid legal commands.

Clients with strong spiritual or ethical commitments often struggle to reflect those beliefs in their Estate Plan withou...
01/27/2026

Clients with strong spiritual or ethical commitments often struggle to reflect those beliefs in their Estate Plan without feeling like they are being overly controlling of their loved ones. In our most recent video, attorney Patricia Louise Nelson explains how “precatory language” can enable meaningful communication with your appointed Trustee and your beneficiaries, even after you are gone.

This type of language does not compel behavior, but it does inform Trustee decisions in situations when discretion is needed. For example, say one of your grandchildren requests an early distribution of their funds from your Estate to pay for college, or to backpack across Europe. If you have included precatory language about your values and priorities, your Trustee will be enabled to respond to such requests in a way that reflects what you would have wanted. Precatory language allows us to bring more of your voice into your Estate Plan, so that your hopes and dreams for your descendants can be upheld.

Watch the video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ALKVZ8x6K/ and call Two Spruce Law today for an Estate Plan that reflects who you are and what you care most about.

The future is an unpredictable place. Because of this, it can sometimes be challenging for our clients to find the right...
01/23/2026

The future is an unpredictable place. Because of this, it can sometimes be challenging for our clients to find the right balance between specificity and flexibility in their estate planning documents. As Patricia Louise Nelson explains in our most recent video, we encourage our clients to use precatory language, which allows us to acknowledge uncertainty while still guiding decision-making.

With precatory language, you can express what is important to you regarding your beneficiaries, such as financial stability, education, or emotional well-being. This information helps your Trustee understand what matters to you while protecting their ability to respond organically as circumstances evolve.

If you missed it earlier this week, view the video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DYHkxqVHX/ to understand how precatory language helps your estate plan prioritize adaptability and certitude simultaneously.

01/20/2026

There are two types of language that are generally used in estate planning: Mandatory Language and Discretionary Language. In this video, attorney Patricia Louise Nelson of Two Spruce Law endorses a third option, Precatory Language, and explains how using it in your estate plan can provide useful guidance for your Trustee—instead of rigid instructions or vague hopes, which have the potential to create resentments or unintended inequities during the administration of your estate.

The video clarifies that Precatory Language does not legally bind your Trustee. Rather, it provides meaningful context and information, enabling them to make decisions that reflect your wishes and values. For families with emotional complexity, this approach helps Trustees understand the “why” behind the plan, not just the mechanics.

Give us a call via the contact information on our profile to set up an estate planning consultation with an attorney at our office. We look forward to doing business with you.

Financial decisions made during probate can trigger anxiety for family members, especially when they are unfamiliar with...
12/26/2025

Financial decisions made during probate can trigger anxiety for family members, especially when they are unfamiliar with the process. That is why fostering trust as the personal representative, by communicating with others beyond just what the law requires, can be so meaningful.

Sharing relevant information throughout the probate process, rather than just at the end, creates clarity and improves understanding. When family members understand how funds are being managed, they feel more confident that the estate is being handled responsibly. If a family member has information that might be helpful to the personal representative, they are more likely to provide that information while it can still be helpful.

This openness also gives the personal representative valuable feedback now that can prevent disputes later. Transparency is not just polite—it is practical. It builds confidence, ensures accountability, and keeps the probate process efficient.

Families benefit when trust is nurtured at every stage. Learn more about communication throughout the probate process in last week’s video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14QVgCyXr5h/. Contact Two Spruce Law to learn more. We are here for you every step of the way.

Although usually only one individual gets appointed as personal representative in probate matters, entire families are a...
12/23/2025

Although usually only one individual gets appointed as personal representative in probate matters, entire families are affected by the process. Clear, consistent communication is one of the best ways to mitigate potential conflict and protect relationships.

When a personal representative openly shares documents, decisions, and anticipated steps, others are less likely to make assumptions or question motives. Trust is strengthened when everyone feels included, and no one is surprised at the end of the process.

Early transparency also gives family members the chance to have their voices heard before decisions become final. Encouraging trust through open communication from the start helps ensure a fair, calm, and well-managed probate experience for everyone.

Learn more about how to provoke trust in our previously published post https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17XuSVXoeW/ and reach out to us at Two Spruce Law via the contact information in our profile if you’d like to learn more.

Probate can be a difficult process for everyone, not just the personal representative. Family members may feel uncertain...
12/18/2025

Probate can be a difficult process for everyone, not just the personal representative. Family members may feel uncertain or anxious, especially when they do not understand what the personal representative is doing behind the scenes, making effective communication essential.

At Two Spruce Law, we recommend offering regular updates—even when not legally required—to help eliminate suspicion and encourage cooperation, so that family members can follow the process and feel confident in the estate's management.

The personal representative also benefits from extra communication by detecting any concerns earlier rather than later. Transparency can turn a potentially tense situation into a collaborative one, where family members feel respected, informed, and included.

Building trust from the beginning sets the tone for a smoother, more efficient probate experience. Learn more about how to provoke trust in our recent video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1M6d7fJJTx/ and reach out to Two Spruce Law to learn more.

12/16/2025

Clear and open communication during probate is one of the strongest ways to maintain trust within your family. As explained in this video, a personal representative is not required to give updates during the process—but doing so can prevent suspicion and reduce conflict.

Patricia Nelson, owner of Two Spruce Law, encourages personal representatives to regularly share information with family members, to reassure them that the estate is being handled responsibly. Trust grows when people feel informed, respected, and included, leading to an overall smoother process for everyone.

Proactive transparency supports smoother administration of your loved one’s estate and helps to preserve family relationships during a difficult time.

Connect with Two Spruce Law about how best to provoke trust—rather than suspicion— between yourself and the rest of your family during the probate process.

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204 SE Miller Avenue
Bend, OR
97702

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