The Law Office of David Johnson

10/29/2025

In 1948, a Saskatchewan farmer named Cecil Harris found himself pinned under his tractor. Knowing he wouldn’t survive, he pulled out his pocketknife and carved this message into the fender:

“In case I die in this mess, I leave all to the wife.”

He didn’t make it — but the court accepted those words as his valid will, creating one of the most remarkable precedents for handwritten (holographic) wills in history.

It’s a powerful reminder:
✅ Your last wishes matter.
❌ But carving them into your tractor shouldn’t be the plan.

If you care about what happens to your family, your home, and your legacy — let’s put your wishes in writing before you find yourself in a “Cecil Harris situation.”

01/30/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw9WvA34g3k

We often talk about living trusts here on the channel, but many of you still may be wondering if they are an adequate means of protecting your assets. Let's ...

01/27/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M0WQ0e7awg

What is an Irrevocable Trust? 1-800-830-1055. Please "Like" & "Comment" FREE CONSULTATION: https://www.assetprotectionplanners.com/ or call +1-954-400-1050 S...

01/25/2023

In Oregon, a divorce is also called “dissolution of marriage” by the courts. Dissolution of marriage is when a couple wants to legally end their marriage.

A divorce judgment will be able to decide the date the marriage is terminated, who will receive custody, the details of child support and the health insurance for the children, how property will be divided and whether spousal support will be allotted.

Oregon is a “no fault” divorce state. Therefore, any couple has the ability to get a divorce regardless of the reason. A couple has the ability to get a divorce for the mere fact that they do not want to live together anymore.

01/23/2023

Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts

There are two categories that trusts fall under; revocable vs irrevocable trust funds.

Revocable: A revocable trust allows the grantor to have control over all of their assets involved in the trust while the grantor is still alive.

Irrevocable: An irrevocable trust can only be changed or revoked in very limited circumstances, but there are much better tax benefits for the grantor.

01/20/2023

How Do Trust Funds Work?

A trust is an estate planning tool that shouldn’t be confused with a will. It is indeed a document that explains to a beneficiary what happens to assets after the grantor passes away, but it differs slightly from other estate planning tools.

The grantor will create an arrangement where they explain in detail what assets will be handed down to the beneficiary after the grantor has passed away. As the appointed fiduciary, the trustee is responsible for carrying out the interests of the grantor.

The trustee is in charge of allocating living expenses while the grantor is still alive, or the trustee can give it out in a lump sum to the beneficiary.

01/18/2023

https://www.davidjohnsonlegal.com/types-of-cases-in-family-law.html

Request a Consultation - Call (503) 575-1332 - Law Office of David Johnson is dedicated to providing our clients with legal services in Divorce and Family Law cases. Types of Cases in Family Law - Salem Divorce Lawyer

01/16/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpCmd6kflac

How does an uncontested divorce work?

01/13/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrNRcMuGnj0

Official Marital Settlement Agreement: https://bit.ly/3xh7EuKThere are two kinds of legal divorce: a divorce that doesn’t end up in court and a divorce that ...

01/11/2023

https://www.davidjohnsonlegal.com/probate.html

Request a Consultation - Call (503) 575-1332 - Law Office of David Johnson is dedicated to providing our clients with legal services in Estate Planning and Probate cases. Probate - Salem Estate Planning Lawyer

01/09/2023

At the Law Office of David Johnson located in Salem, Oregon, we strive to help our clients with all of their family law and estate planning needs.

Estate Planning refers to wills, trusts, and advance directives. David Johnson helps clients plan who will take control of their assets when they are no longer to do so - whether due to health or death.

Estate Planning can be very overwhelming and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Due to the often complicated nature of estate planning, you will want an experienced attorney to help you through the process.

Plan your estate today so that you don’t accidentally leave your important decisions in the hands of the courts. Talk to a qualified attorney today about planning your estates. The Law Office of David Johnson can work with you to create a trust and/or a will and to help you through probate.

David Johnson is an estate planning attorney in Salem, Oregon and he would love to answer all of your estate planning questions.

Probate
Trusts
Wills
Charitable Donations
What is a Trust?

01/06/2023

https://www.davidjohnsonlegal.com/divorce.html

Request a Consultation - Call (503) 575-1332 - Law Office of David Johnson is dedicated to helping individuals and families in Family Law and Divorce cases. Divorce - Salem Family Law Lawyer