You get direct, partner-level expertise and attention on every matter. Unlike larger firms where cases may be delegated to junior associates, your case is handled personally by a firm co-founder who is both a skilled planner and a trial-ready litigator. We offer focused specialization (estate planning, tax, and litigation) without the overhead and bureaucracy of a large practice. This ensures a more agile and direct approach, as well as a lower legal bill to you.

We serve clients in Oregon, Washington, Florida, and Colorado. Our license coverage in these four key jurisdictions is a core advantage, especially for clients with multiple residences, vacation properties, or complex business interests. We develop a single, integrated legal strategy that anticipates and avoids the jurisdictional conflicts and multiple probate proceedings that often arise when property or family members are in different states.

Our fee structure depends on the service. For Estate Planning and Tax Structuring, we typically use a flat-fee model established after the initial Strategy Session, so you know the full cost upfront. For Probate and Litigation matters, we generally charge an hourly rate against a retainer. We prioritize transparency and will detail all costs in a clear engagement agreement before any work begins.

The first step is a confidential, private Strategy Session with one of our founding partners. This is not a free, surface-level consultation; it's a paid, in-depth meeting where we analyze your specific legal, financial, and family situation, and then provide you with a customized, actionable legal blueprint and fee proposal.

While we see similar fact patterns and areas of the law, no case is the same. When a dispute arises, you need a clear strategy and a tenacious advocate. Our litigation process is designed to be strategic, proactive, and relentlessly focused on achieving the best possible outcome for you.

Step 1: Case Evaluation & Strategic Assessment

Our process begins with a deep-dive analysis of your situation. We will review all relevant documents, discuss the detailed facts of the case, and provide you with an honest, clear-eyed assessment of your legal position, potential risks, and strategic options.

Step 2: Pre-Suit Investigation & Strategy Before filing a lawsuit, we conduct a thorough investigation to gather critical evidence, identify key witnesses, and solidify our legal arguments. Based on these findings, we develop a comprehensive case strategy. This may involve a pre-suit demand letter or negotiation to attempt an efficient, early resolution.

Step 3: Pleadings & Discovery If a lawsuit is necessary, we will draft and file the formal complaint or answer, officially commencing the legal action. We then move into the discovery phase—the formal process of exchanging information with the opposing side. Our team is highly skilled at using discovery tools, such as document requests and depositions, to build a powerful factual record for your case.

Step 4: Strategic Motion Practice Throughout the litigation, we look for opportunities to strengthen your position through strategic motions. This can involve asking the court to dismiss some or all of the opponent’s claims, compel the production of evidence, or resolve key legal issues in your favor before a trial is ever necessary.

Step 5: Mediation & Settlement Negotiations We are skilled negotiators who actively pursue favorable settlements for our clients. We will prepare for and represent you at mediation—a confidential process where a neutral third party helps both sides work toward a resolution. Our goal is always to achieve your objectives in the most efficient manner possible.

Step 6: Trial & Appeal. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are always prepared to be your powerful advocates in the courtroom. As experienced trial attorneys, we will present a compelling and forceful case before a jury, judge, or arbitrator. To the extent necessary, we will vigorously seek to correct any legal error on appeal.

The process of making arrangements for the administration and distribution of your property and affairs in the event of your incapacity or death is known as estate planning. It entails putting together a thorough plan that specifies your desires regarding the disposition of your assets, investments, and personal property after you pass away or become incapable of making decisions for yourself.

There are several key reasons for estate planning. Firstly, it ensures that your assets are distributed as you wish, minimizing potential disputes among family members. Additionally, it allows you to designate guardians for your minor children, should you have any, and make provisions for their well-being.

Estate planning also addresses financial matters, including minimizing estate taxes and ensuring your assets are transferred to your heirs efficiently. Furthermore, it enables you to specify your preferences regarding medical decisions if you become incapacitated.

In essence, estate planning provides peace of mind, safeguards your legacy, and helps you maintain control over important aspects of your life, even when you're no longer able to manage them yourself.

Engaging an estate planning lawyer ensures that all documents are legally sound and actionable. This professional guidance also aids in identifying and mitigating potential risks associated with the estate planning process, such as guardianship issues or tax liabilities.

Our estate planning process is a collaborative and deeply personal journey. We take the time to understand your family, your finances, and your vision for the future to create a plan that provides security and peace of mind.

Step 1: The Discovery & Goals Meeting

Our journey begins with a comprehensive consultation where we listen more than we talk. This initial meeting is dedicated to understanding your unique family dynamics, your financial picture, your concerns, and your most important goals. We will ask thoughtful questions to ensure we have a complete understanding of what you wish to accomplish.

Step 2: The Strategy & Design Session Based on our initial meeting, we will design a customized estate plan tailored to your objectives. In this collaborative session, we will walk you through our strategic recommendations, explaining the pros and cons of different tools like wills, revocable living trusts, and powers of attorney. We will answer all your questions, ensuring you feel confident and clear about the proposed structure of your plan.

Step 3: Drafting Your Legal Documents Once the design is finalized, our attorneys will meticulously draft your complete set of estate planning documents. This is where our legal expertise and attention to detail come to the forefront, as we craft precise legal language to ensure your wishes are clearly articulated and legally enforceable.

Step 4: The Review & Signing Meeting We will schedule a meeting where we review every document with you in detail, page by page. We want to ensure you fully understand the purpose and function of each part of your plan. Once you are completely comfortable, we will oversee the formal signing and notarization of your documents, bringing your estate plan to life.

Step 5: Implementation & Funding An estate plan is only effective if your assets are properly aligned with it. For trust-based plans, this is a critical step. We will provide you with clear guidance and support to help you retitle key assets into the name of your trust, a process known as "funding." This ensures the trust can function as designed, keeping your family out of probate court.

Step 6: A Lasting Partnership Your life and the laws are always evolving. We view ourselves as your long-term advisors. We will stay in touch and recommend periodic reviews to ensure your plan remains up-to-date with changes in your family, your finances, and the law, guaranteeing your plan works when your family needs it most.

If you do not have an estate plan in place, your assets could be distributed according to your state’s intestate succession laws. This means the state will decide how your property is divided among your surviving relatives. This often leads to outcomes that may not align with your wishes. Furthermore, your family might face lengthy legal processes and potential disputes during the probate process, causing additional emotional and financial stress during a difficult time. Having a comprehensive estate plan ensures your wishes are respected and simplifies the process for your loved ones. Connect with a skilled estate planning lawyer at Visoria Stamm for experienced guidance on preparing for the future.

Absolutely, you can make changes to your estate plan after it's established. Estate planning documents are flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate changes in your life, assets, or preferences. Your will can be updated by creating a new one or adding a formal codicil, making changes to beneficiaries, assets, or instructions.

If you have a revocable living trust, you can often modify it to change beneficiaries, trustees, or terms. To update beneficiary designations, simply contact the relevant financial institutions. You can also change your agents for powers of attorney documents, designating new individuals for healthcare or financial decisions. It's advised to periodically review your estate plan to ensure it continues to meet your objectives. Consulting with a qualified estate attorney during these updates can help ensure that your changes are legally valid. 

Moreover, significant life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or significant changes in financial status are critical times to revisit and potentially update your estate plan to reflect your new circumstances or intentions.

It's crucial to have regular reviews of your estate plan, ideally with your attorney, to adapt to any legislative changes that might affect your wishes or the implementation of your estate strategy. Get in touch with a professional estate planning attorney at Visoria Stamm to review your plan as soon as possible.

A Guardianship (often called Guardianship of the Person) involves legal authority over an incapacitated individual's personal care, medical decisions, and residence. A Conservatorship (Guardianship of the Estate) involves legal authority over the incapacitated individual's finances and property. We assist clients in seeking the appropriate level of protection, often seeking both, and are ready to litigate contested petitions.