Gilchrist Estate Planning Lawyers

After returning from Afghanistan, Michael E. Adams has re-opened his law firm in Sweet Home, Oregon. The primary focus is business, estate planning & real estate.

I have provided quality representation for my clients since I was admitted to practice law in 2006. I began my career by assisting a senior judge behind the bench. This gave me invaluable insight into how I wanted to practice law. I then litigated as a criminal defense attorney for the first few years of my practice. This gave me ample experience as a trial attorney. For the past several years, I have practiced in the areas of Family Law and Estate Planning, which has provided me the tools I need to help resolve conflicts, mediate, or go to trial,...

I’m a partner with Fitzwater Law and have practiced with this firm for 22 years. My practice emphasizes legal issues unique to the elderly and their families, including guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, probate estates, trust administration, and estate planning. Some of my favorite cases are the emergency (“temporary”) guardianships and conservatorships. I received my J.D. from Willamette University College of Law in 1998. I value helping people in times of crisis by making the legal system understandable. I pride myself on being reliable and thorough in my work, while striving to take the mystery out of the legal process. ...

Ginger Skinner enjoys providing expert advice and personable service to her clients to address their personal and corporate legal needs. With a Master of Laws (LL.M) in taxation, Ginger is uniquely capable of providing families and businesses with tax-sensitive estate planning and administration. She often works with her clients’ advisors such as financial planners and accountants. Ginger operates with a down-to-earth, no jargon style that clients find quite refreshing.

She founded Skinner Law, PC with the goal of helping Oregon businesses and families create advantageous estate and succession strategies, ultimately achieving greater harmony in family and business relationships.

Prior to...

I grew up in Tualatin with a giant family, one biological brother and numerous informally adopted siblings, aunts, uncles, etc. I earned a BS at Western Oregon University and both a law degree and a Certificate in Dispute Resolution right here at Willamette University College of Law. If the academics matter to you, I was named outstanding Male Graduate of the class of 2009 at WOU and was ranked 8th in the class of 2012 at WUCL. I’m looking to help others who, like so many of my informal siblings, have problematic biological or marital families and need to make sure...

I represent clients in immigration law, estate planning, and criminal defense matters.

My passion for immigration law comes from living abroad for several years. As the son of immigrants, I understand the importance of obtaining professional assistance when seeking immigration benefits such as Employment Authorization, Lawful Permanent Residency and U.S. Citizenship. I enjoy representing international clients from all walks of life and take pride in family unity.

Helping clients design estate plans is both an art and a science. I take pride in assisting individuals and couples wanting to “plan ahead”, preserve assets, and avoid the time and expense of probate. I...

Aaron Ferreira grew up in Livermore, California. As an undergrad, he attended the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), first studying Computer Science and then graduating in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. After graduation, he got his feet wet in the legal profession by working for three years as a legal assistant in Shell Beach, California.



In 1997, Aaron entered the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, in Portland, Oregon. While attending law school, he participated in law review as a Research Editor and then Articles Editor for the...

I am a reformed litigator. While rewarding, litigation focuses on cleaning up messes due to poor planning. I knew there was a better way to practice law, and I find it much more rewarding. That better way is to serve my clients as an Estate Planning Attorney and Business Planning Attorney.

My new role is to help my clients avoid the need of a litigator’s services. Working with my personal and business clients I strive to anticipate and head off problems that far too often end up costing lots of money to deal with.

I help families, individuals and their loved...

Joanna Posey became a lawyer because she wanted to help people. Drawn to family law after opening her own practice, Joanna takes pride in being able to empower her clients during an otherwise stressful and emotionally charged time in their lives. She finds it extremely gratifying to help a client take the first steps toward a new beginning, and enjoys working to resolve the unique issues in each case.

Rose L. Hubbard, Attorney at Law has 35 years of experience tackling family law matters, including complex cases involving divorce, modification, child support/custody, spousal support, paternity, and grandparent rights. We can also assist with wills and estate planning to help ensure that your assets and properties are protected. As skilled advocates, we are adept at finding balanced, favorable resolutions to disputes. Through mediation, negotiation, all the way to a trial, our attorneys personally guide you through your legal issue with compassion and hands-on support. We explain to you what you can expect every step of the way, and give...

Attorney at Caress Law, PC, focusing on trusts & estate planning; probate and trust administration; charitable giving and planning; business succession planning; planning for special needs; advise on income, estate, gift, and generation skipping transfer tax; guardianships and conservatorships; federal and state estate tax returns.

We help families and business owners plan for now and the future. This is done through estate planning and business planning. Our process is to educate clients about opportunities - and problems - they or their family may encounter down the road. Next, we help them identify their priorities and goals, and then develop a plan to accomplish those goals. This sometimes involves using advanced legal structures and techniques, but we keep the explanations straight forward and understandable. After all, a great plan isn’t that great if you don’t understand it. Quality planning that you understand is...

Lauren Barnhart was always fascinated with “the rules.” She believes that rules create predictability and clarity, and apply to everyone equally. It was this fascination with rules that led Lauren to become an attorney. As an attorney, Lauren helps families navigate through what can be the most difficult time of their lives-divorce. She works to develop a relationship with her clients and demonstrate that their case genuinely matters. Lauren was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington, and was a member in the Tacoma Youth Symphony where she performed at Carnegie Hall. When Lauren is not assisting...

Since 2010, serving people with consumer and employee law issues: I prefer to help people anticipate and avoid legal problems by understanding how the law affects them and what they need to do to get the results they want. But sometimes legal problems can't be avoided, such as when someone treats you unfairly and you need to respond. Sadly, among the many reputable businesses who pride themselves on treating everyone fairly, there are a few others, who often try to take advantage of their customers and even their employees at every opportunity. Many lawyers...

About 80% of my practice is helping wronged consumers recover from businesses that have cheated them. The rest is a mix of end-of-life and estate planning for elders, wage and hour claims for employees, and advising or serving nonprofits as outside counsel or in providing nonprofit boards with training to avoid problems. I don't stray outside those basic areas much -- for example, I don't take personal injury cases, car crashes, or any family or criminal law cases. But if the problem is otherwise within Oregon civil law, I'm happy to be consulted and to help out...

Heidi was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, coming from a family who has lived in the Pacific Northwest for four generations. Prior to law school, Heidi worked for five years as a victim’s advocate for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Her love of collaborating with clients to achieve a goal of safety for their future, stems from this work. Heidi is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law, where she received her Doctor of Jurisprudence. During her time in law school, she discovered her love for the area of estate planning, spending a year in a half in...

My practice emphasizes the legal and crisis issues faced by the elderly and their families, including incapacity, guardianship, long-term care, and end-of-life concerns. In my 30+ years of practice, I have truly enjoyed the relationships I have developed with my clients and their families. I have the privilege of helping and protecting them – often at one of the most difficult times in their lives. I count myself very fortunate because I like my job. I enjoy the wonderful group of attorneys and staff I work with every day. Most importantly, I get to help clients who need and appreciate...

In the 1980s, as young newlyweds, Stan Butterfield and his wife, Connie, befriended an elderly neighbor; the 106 year old man was a treasury of stories. He enthralled Stan with tales of his work as a shipwright on some of the last of the merchant sailing ships and of his mid-life career change as a mechanic for the Wright brothers. It was with this old friend in mind that Stan began to advocate for the elderly; starting in 1988 as a Washington State legislator and then later in Oregon in his work as an attorney in private practice. In...

James Oberholtzer has provided legal services to clients for over 35 years. He has provided legal representation to: Families. Estate planning, family wealth planning, wills and trusts, taxation of wills and trusts, guardianship and conservatorships, creation and administration of trusts, and probate of estates. Entrepreneurs. Closely held companies, family partnerships and individual entrepreneurs in formation and finance of enterprises, acquisitions and joint ventures, strategic planning and executive compensation, entity governance, integration of tax, legal and business objectives, protection of intellectual property and selection and supervision of local counsel. Senior Housing. Senior housing owners and operators...

Roger Evans is an experienced attorney with over 40 years of experience representing individuals, families, farmers, ranchers, and business owners with their real estate, will and trust administration, estate planning, probate, and business related concerns. Mr. Evans is a member of the Marion County Bar Association and the Oregon State Bar Association as well as Oregon State Bar sections concerning Elder Law, Estate Planning and Administration, Agricultural Law, and Real Estate and Land Use law. Mr. Evans is licensed to practice in Oregon state courts and Federal U.S. District Court, and is appointed to serve as an arbitrator...

Nothing makes me happier than to help clients through a complicated legal issue and have them come out the other side ready to move on with their lives. Whether you are going through a probate, guardianship, adoption, need an estate plan, or starting a business, I can help you through the process. As a sole practitioner I like to work closely with my clients. Your legal issues are important to me and I want to be accessible. I am also Of Counsel with the Harris Law Firm and can tap into a team of outstanding attorneys that can...

Wendy’s practice includes dissolution of marriage proceedings, legal separations, modifications of child custody, child support and spousal support, and contempt and enforcement proceedings. Wendy’s practice also includes probate administration, estate planning, and protective proceedings.

Alan has been practicing law for 25+ years. He focuses on tax, estate planning, and business law. He has worked in both private practice and in association with established law firms. Before becoming a lawyer, Alan owned and operated several businesses. When handling his cases, he draws from his hands-on experience as an entrepreneur, providing valuable insight on real estate, business law, wealth management, and more. Alan received his law degree from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, CA and his Master of Science degree in Taxation from Golden State University in San Francisco, CA.

Michael’s practice emphasizes estate planning, estate administration, guardianships and conservatorships, long-term care planning, and special needs trusts.

Prior to attending law school, Michael gained experience working with seniors and people with disabilities while earning a master’s degree in social work. During law school, he added a financial perspective to his background working as a securities broker for Charles Schwab, Inc. Upon graduation, Michael clerked for the Honorable C. Jean Stewart, Judge of the Denver Probate Court. As an attorney, Michael draws on his background, representing seniors, people with disabilities, and their families on a range of planning, administration, and crisis-management issues.

Michael...

I handle civil litigation, business, real estate, and fiduciary litigation matters. For litigation matters, my focus is Oregon state court, although I also appear in Oregon Federal District Court. I am well-versed in all phases of litigation and comfortable taking a case to trial. Given the risk and expense of litigation, many cases settle before trial. I have participated in numerous mediations and judicial settlement conferences. However, sometimes settlement does not make sense and a client needs their day in court. I thoroughly enjoy the challenges and complexities that trial brings and feel at ease...

Jeff focuses his practice on estate planning, administration, and litigation. His practice grows from his experience in academic and pharmaceutical research, where he worked closely with oncology patients undergoing experimental treatments. He enjoys tackling complex issues, while keeping his clients’ real-world needs at the forefront of every decision. Jeff listens carefully to his clients to help them find the solution that’s right for them. His experience with scientific research taught him to be resilient and creative, and he enjoys applying this approach to advocate for his clients today.

Lesley V. Herring is a native of Louisiana who moved to Portland, Oregon in 2011. She completed her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in 2003 and obtained her Master’s Degree in Philosophy in 2005. Ms. Herring received her J.D. from Michigan State University in 2010. She has dedicated her legal practice to the areas of family law and estate planning. Ms. Herring takes a direct and pragmatic approach in advising her clients and developing solutions which fit their needs. She is a strong advocate for children’s rights.

I am a partner with Fitzwater Law. My practice consists of estate planning and administration, including the preparation of wills and trusts, gift and estate tax planning, special needs planning, and the administration of trusts and probate estates.

Estate planning and administration is the only area of law out there for me. There is no other area of law in which I would rather practice. Over the years I have discovered that my job typically consists of equal parts teaching, counseling and lawyering. Tellingly, teaching and psychology were the other careers I considered before deciding on law. I feel incredibly fortunate...

Rob Le Chevallier practices business law, business formation, estate planning, trust administration, real estate law, and corporate financing. Rob serves as corporate counsel for a variety of manufacturing and service companies. He has been described by the Oregonian as “the legal profession’s equivalent of a midwife” to hundreds of businesses in the Portland area.

Rob particularly focuses on the estate planning needs of business owners, who are often so preoccupied with their business that they neglect their own succession issues. Rob prepares estate plans for business owners and other high net-worth individuals and their families with an...