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Affordable Estate Planning

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10/15/2026

🧟‍♂️ Probate, Estate Taxes & the Zombies Coming for Your House

Picture this:
You have a beautiful home. You've worked hard for it, maintained it, and made memories there.

Then, after you die, a horde of zombies starts shambling toward your front door.
🧟‍♂️ Probate.
🧟‍♂️ Debts.
🧟‍♂️ Expenses.
🧟‍♂️ Taxes.
Okay—not literally. But estate administration can involve all of those things, depending on the circumstances.

Probate is the legal process through which an estate may be administered, including dealing with assets, debts, and distribution to heirs or beneficiaries.
And then there's Oregon estate tax. For deaths on or after January 1, 2012, an Oregon estate tax return generally must be filed when the gross estate is $1 million or more at the date of death. Oregon's Department of Revenue notes that the $1 million filing threshold is not adjusted for inflation.

That doesn't mean every estate over $1 million owes exactly the same amount of tax—or that an estate under that threshold has nothing to consider. Estate-tax rules can be complicated, and the calculation depends on the circumstances.

And here's another important point:
A will or trust isn't automatically a magic shield against taxes. Good estate planning considers taxes, asset ownership, beneficiary designations, trusts, charitable giving, family circumstances, and other factors when appropriate.
So don't picture your estate plan as building a giant wall around your house to keep the zombies out. Think of it as creating a strategy so your family knows what needs to happen, who is responsible, and how your assets should be handled.

The last thing you want is for your family to be standing on the front porch yelling:
"WHO INVITED THE ZOMBIES?" 🧟‍♂️😂

Estate and tax laws are complex and fact-specific. This post is educational and not tax or legal advice.

Reach out anytime for a free consultation
Affordable Estate Planning - Chad Fuss, Esq.
503-908-5457 - [email protected]
www.AffordableEstatePNW.com

10/13/2026

⚖️ What Actually Happens in Probate in Oregon?

"Probate" can sound intimidating.
But what exactly is it?

In simple terms, probate is a legal process used to administer a deceased person's estate. The court oversees the process of identifying and handling assets, addressing debts and claims, and distributing property to the people who are legally entitled to receive it. Think of probate as the estate's official "to-do list" after someone dies.

Depending on the circumstances, the process may involve:
🎃 Finding and identifying assets.
👻 Determining who is entitled to inherit everything.
🕷️ Addressing debts and claims.
🧙‍♀️ Handling taxes and expenses.
🏚️ Transferring property.

And here's an important misconception:
Not every estate has to go through a full probate proceeding.
Oregon has alternatives for certain smaller estates, and some assets may pass outside probate altogether—for example, certain jointly owned assets, beneficiary-designated accounts, or assets held in a properly structured trust.
Oregon also has a Small Estate Affidavit process for qualifying estates, subject to specific value limits and other requirements.

Thoughtful estate planning can sometimes make the process simpler, avoid probate for certain assets, or make things easier for the people handling your estate.

🎃 The goal of estate planning isn't to make death scary.
It's to make the paperwork afterward less scary for the people you love.

Reach out anytime for a free consultation. We're licensed in OR, WA, CA, NV, FL, and NE.
Affordable Estate Planning - Chad Fuss, Esq.
503-908-5457 - [email protected]
www.AffordableEstatePNW.com

10/11/2026

🧙‍♀️ "Witch Better Have My Trust!"

Move over, witches. We've got a little estate-planning magic to talk about. 🧙‍♀️🎃

Because even a witch with a crystal ball can't predict everything that will happen to her estate.
What will happen to her haunted cottage, suspiciously large collection of spell books, investments, bank accounts, real estate, family heirlooms, and even her black cat.

She doesn't want her family trying to figure everything out in probate while she's off haunting the neighborhood. That's where a trust may be useful.

A properly created and funded revocable living trust can allow assets held in the trust to pass according to the trust's terms without going through the same probate process those assets might otherwise face. Oregon courts specifically recognize living trusts as one estate-planning tool that may help avoid probate.

But here's the catch:
A trust isn't magic. You can't simply sign a trust document and assume every asset automatically belongs to the trust. The trust generally needs to be properly funded and coordinated with the rest of the estate plan. And a trust isn't necessarily right for everyone.

Sometimes a will is exactly what someone needs and makes the most sense.
The right plan depends on your family, your assets, your goals, and your circumstances.
So whether you're a witch, wizard, muggle, vampire, werewolf, or perfectly ordinary human…
Estate planning still matters. 🧙‍♀ 😂🎃

Estate-planning laws are complex and individual circumstances matter. This post is for educational purposes only.

Reach out anytime to talk about your specific needs.
Affordable Estate Planning - Chad Fuss, Esq.
503-908-5457 - [email protected]
www.AffordableEstatePNW.com

10/08/2026

🌊 The Oregon "Waterfall": What Happens If You Die Without a Will?

Here's a spooky estate-planning question:
What happens to your stuff if you die without a will in Oregon?
No, your estate doesn't simply disappear into a mysterious black hole. 👻
Instead, Oregon's intestate succession laws determine who inherits property that isn't otherwise transferred by another method. Think of it like a waterfall.

The law works through a series of relationships to determine who is entitled to inherit. For example, if someone dies with a surviving spouse and children who are all also children of that spouse, the surviving spouse generally receives the entire net intestate estate.
But if the deceased person has a surviving spouse and at least one descendant who is not the spouse's descendant, the spouse's intestate share is generally one-half, with the remaining portion passing to descendants.
If there is no surviving spouse, the estate generally passes first to descendants.
If there are no surviving descendants, Oregon law moves to surviving parents.
If there are no surviving descendants or parents, it moves to brothers and sisters and, in certain circumstances, their descendants.
If those relatives aren't available, the law continues through additional family relationships.

And that's the key point: You don't get to choose where you are on the waterfall after you die. The law makes that determination.

A will gives you an opportunity to make your own decisions about property that passes under the will rather than leaving everything to the state's intestate succession rules.

That's why estate planning is about more than simply signing a document.
It's about making sure your overall plan matches your wishes.
🌊 Don't let your family discover the waterfall after you're gone.
🎃 Plan ahead. Know where your assets are going. Make your wishes clear.

Estate-planning laws are fact-specific and can change. This post is educational information, not legal advice.

Reach out anytime for a free consultation. We're licensed in OR, WA, CA, NV, FL, and NE.
Affordable Estate Planning - Chad Fuss, Esq.
503-908-5457 - [email protected]
www.AffordableEstatePNW.com

10/06/2026

👻 Dying Without a Will? It Can Be Seriously Haunting.

Imagine walking into an old haunted house.
You don't know what's behind the next door.
You don't know which floorboard is going to creak.
You don't know where the ghosts are hiding.
And you definitely don't know how the story is going to end.
That's a little like dying without a will.

When someone dies without a valid will, they're considered to have died intestate. Instead of that person leaving instructions about who should receive their property, Oregon's intestate succession laws determine who inherits.
And here's the important part: The state doesn't know your wishes.
It doesn't know that you wanted your daughter to have the house or your brother to receive your collection or a grandchild to inherit your savings.
It simply applies the law.

For some families, the result may be close to what the person would have wanted. For others, it may be very different. And even when the eventual inheritance is exactly what the law provides, your family may still have to deal with the probate process to administer the estate. That's where things can get complicated.

A will allows you to leave instructions for the distribution of property that passes through your will and, importantly, allows you to nominate the person you want to serve as your personal representative. Think of a will as leaving a map behind instead of making your family wander through a haunted house in the dark.

👻Reach out anytime for a free consultation. We're licensed in OR, WA, CA, NV, FL, and NE, and we can meet virtually, after hours, or even on the weekends.
🕷️Affordable Estate Planning - Chad Fuss, Esq.
🎃 503-908-5457 - [email protected]

10/03/2026

Today, Saturday, October 3rd
1pm to 5pm for w**e
1pm to 6pm for dancing!

Get in the time machine, we're going back to the 70s! Affordable Estate Planning is hosting another pouring location at their new office, "Studio 459" on 3rd st. Prizes will be glittery, food will be optionally gluten free, and the entertainment will be far out, man. They'll be spinning funky tunes, pouring groovy premium w**es, and spreading the good vibes. Throw on your bell bottoms and platforms and dance your way through another Dy-no-mite W**e Walk.

Affordable Estate Planning is a local family owned law firm focused on making wills, trusts, power of attorney, and probates, affordable and understandable for families. They provide free consultations and document review, flat rate pricing, and virtual meetings so you don't need to take off work or get a babysitter to have a meeting. They are really trying to simplify the process and offer a service that the community needs in a less intimidating way.

Chad Fuss, attorney at law, is licensed in OR, WA, CA, NV, FL, and NE. The firm is proud to have been recognized in Lake Oswego and West Linn as the Best Law Firm in 2025 and 2026 as well as Willamette Week's 2026 Best Estate Planning Law Firm. You also may have seen their rockin' float as roller dancers in the 4th of July parade. Don't miss out on stopping by their w**e walk location, it'll be out of sight!

10/01/2026

Meet Chad Fuss, attorney and owner of Affordable Estate Planning

He looks happy because he is. After leaving the 9-to-5, "this is how it's always been done" law firms, he started his own. A law firm dedicated to helping regular families with affordable prices and understandable explanations for wills, trusts, Power of Attorney, probate, and more.

The firm was structured around the idea that everyone deserves to protect their family. It's not only our visions, but it's the way we live. Chad prides himself on being able to spend time with his wife and kids, enjoy his hobbies like making sourdough, meet clients where they're at (figuratively and sometimes literally), and make people feel at ease during difficult discussions about their family and possessions after they have passed away.

When it comes to estate planning, do you want a stuffy lawyer in a fancy office or a down-to-earth guy who will make sure you understand what you are getting and why you need it?

09/30/2026

Owning a business is a huge responsibility, and planning for its future is just as important as planning for your personal estate. Without proper planning, your business could face operational chaos, financial losses, or even closure if you die or become incapacitated.

The first step is a business succession plan. This legal strategy outlines who will take over operations, how ownership is transferred, and what happens to profits or shares. You can use trusts, buy-sell agreements, or key-person insurance to protect the business financially and operationally.

A power of attorney for business matters is also essential. If you become incapacitated, this document allows someone you trust to manage contracts, finances, and daily operations without disruption. Similarly, incorporating business assets into your estate plan ensures that heirs receive ownership according to your wishes and prevents disputes.

By planning ahead, you protect your family’s financial security, preserve your business legacy, and avoid expensive legal battles. At Affordable Estate Planning, we work with business owners to create plans tailored to the unique needs of their business and family.

Don’t leave your business to chance. Schedule a consultation today and secure your business’s future, no matter what happens.

Reach out anytime and speak directly to Chad. All our consultations are free. We are licensed in Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada, Nebraska, and Florida. We are happy to meet virtually during the normal 9 to 5 or in the evening or on weekends, so you don't have to take off work or get a babysitter.

A link to schedule a consultation is in our bio, or you can visit our website www.AffordableEstatePNW.com.

Chad Fuss, Esq.
503-908-5457
[email protected]

09/29/2026

It's always better to have something than nothing, but a will or trust done incorrectly can actually be thrown out or have to go through probate. AI is great for so many things, but creating your legal documents is a gamble. You can't be sure it actually says what you think, that paragraphs don't conflict with each other, or that it will actually hold up once you have passed away.

If you've created your will or trust using AI or an AI legal program, make sure that you have it reviewed by a licensed attorney in your area. Spending a fraction of the cost to get it reviewed or to make minor changes will offer peace of mind and protect your family from heartache in the future.

Reach out anytime. We offer free consultations and are licensed to work in OR, WA, CA, NV, NE, and FL.

Chad Fuss, Esq.
503-908-5457
[email protected]

09/28/2026

Having a trust is an excellent way to protect your home, assets, and legacy. But do you know that there are certain things that are better left out of your trust?

Reach out anytime if you would like to discuss your specific situation. All our consultations are free and we are licensed in OR, CA< WA, NV, NE, and FL.

Chad Fuss, Esq.
503-908-5457
[email protected]

Address

460 2nd Street
Lake Oswego, OR
97034

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15039085457

Website