Independence Estate Planning Lawyers

Focused practice in high asset and complex divorce and custody issues.

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...

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...

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...

I was raised near McMinnville and am a 5th generation Oregonian. I completed my bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management at Oregon State University. Upon graduating I moved home to join my family’s vineyard management and winemaking business, and start my own business, a tavern in downtown McMinnville.

During my experience working for my family’s company, I partnered with my parents and siblings through difficult business decisions. This led to an interest in the legal profession and eventually the decision to go to law school. I graduated from Willamette University College of Law cum laude. I also completed the estate planning...

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.

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.

Mr. Schneider established his law practice in Portland, OR in 1997. He has made a long-term commitment to providing first-class estate planning legal services to families and individuals within the Portland metropolitan area and the surrounding SW Washington region. He is pleased to have become a respected member of the Portland/Vancouver legal and business community. Mr. Schneider is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Estate Planning Council of Portland and is on the board of directors of the the Rental Housing Association of Greater Portland. He is admitted...

Mark Kramer, Attorney, specializes in family law and civil litigation including personal injury, civil rights, and employment cases. He has more than 35 years of trial experience and extensive experience in family law issues ranging from adoption and contested custody to grandparent and psychological parent rights. Mark has served as a pro-tem judge for the Multnomah County Circuit Court. As co-counsel for the Oregon State Judiciary Committee and in private practice, Mark drafted family law legislation that is now Oregon law. Mark is the author of several articles about family law and is a frequent speaker on the subjects of...

Jason Pierson became a lawyer to be a voice for people who feel trivialized by divorce-especially children. During a divorce, a child can sometimes feel as though their opinion doesn’t matter. Jason’s passion is to advocate for his client's children and help them succeed. Prior to attending law school, Jason worked as a paralegal in Las Vegas mostly in construction defect law firms for about eight years.

Paul Loney has practiced law for over 27 years. In 2009, Mr. Loney developed the legal blueprint for Oregon’s first private cannabis club, “Highway 420,” and the first National high-profile cannabis café, “Oregon NORML’s Cannabis Café.” Mr. Loney’s practice focuses on a variety of legal issues associated with cannabis and hemp, specifically in the areas of business law and regulatory compliance.

Paul Loney has served as Oregon NORML’s legal counsel for over 13 years and has helped draft numerous cannabis-related legislative initiatives involving Oregon’s medical marijuana and recreational marijuana issues. He has assisted clients in drafting language for proposed additions...

Jinoo Hwang was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon. His diverse background in government, business, and education equips him with a creative approach to legal issues. Simply put, Jinoo’s background makes him a better lawyer. Before law school, he owned a successful multi-state publishing company (9 years), actively managed real estate investments, and worked as an adjunct instructor for the University of Oregon (16 years). Early on in his legal career, Jinoo knew it would be important to obtain an intimate knowledge of the court system. He worked as a judicial clerk for the Hon. Charles D. Carlson before completing...

Third generation Oregonian; Lewis & Clark College BA and U of O JD; Practicing since 1981: Debt issues, Estates and Probate; Municipal Judge for over 15 years

Serving clients in Northwest Oregon, including St. Helens, Scappoose, Rainier, Clatskanie, and Astoria, since 1976. I have always advocated with thoroughness, passion, and compassion, for fairness and justice for all.

Samuel Hayden's practice focuses on the areas of estate planning, personal bankruptcy and criminal law. Prior to co-founding Hayden Bonucci, LLC, Sam accepted a clerkship with the Honorable Marilyn Litzenberger, in Multnomah County Circuit Court. During his time at the courthouse, Sam worked on matters ranging from small criminal proceedings to complex civil cases. Sam received his law degree from Lewis and Clark Law School. Prior to graduating, he received honors as a Best Oral Advocate and for his Pro Bono work. Sam also worked at the schools legal clinic helping low income clients deal with a variety of legal issues...

Masters in Taxation, New York University School of Law

With experience planning and administering Oregon estates of all sizes, I am a firm believer that quality representation can be both comprehensive and affordable. Consideration for each client's unique financial, family, and health interests is the key to determining the best way to protect those interests. I work closely with each of my clients to ensure their needs come first, whether preparing a will or assisting after the death of a loved one. I am committed to providing my clients with experienced representation that is personalized and affordable for everyone. Services Provided: - Probate - Wills - Trusts - Tax & Estate...

Sam began his legal career auditing court guardianships, conservatorships and probate estates in Multnomah County Circuit Court. He joined the firm in 1987 to focus on those issues, long-term care cost planning (including Medicaid) and to advise on trust and estate administration. Currently he also has many clients for estate planning and inheritance/estate tax advice. Sam is one of the original members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Sam has always devoted a lot of time to public policy issues. Sam has served on committees that drafted the guardianship and conservatorship statutes, drafted the probate accounting rules, prepared the...

Firm Founder/Managing Attorney. Randal attended Portland’s Wilson High School before heading to California for college and then New York for law school. He was lured back to Portland in 1991 to work for a large, regional law firm. Thereafter, he started his own practice in Portland, OR. Randal offers significant trial experience and has represented a variety of businesses in most industries. Randal oversees all firm matters and focuses primarily on business representation and litigation

Tax with emphasis in estate planning, trust and estate administration, and related business and real estate matters.

Larry has been practicing law since graduation from the University of Oregon Law School in 1968. Larry was a two year starter for the University of Oregon basketball team before there was a 3-point line while earning his undergraduate degree in finance. He has had significant experience in major litigation and real estate transactions.

Mr. Kane grew up in Oregon and obtained his bachelor's degree in Economics from Portland State University in 1991. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate degree from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College in 1994 and became a member of the Oregon State Bar in 1995. He is admitted to practice in both state and federal courts in the State of Oregon. Mr. Kane has always focused on helping "the little guy" and has represented hundreds of individuals and small businesses in many areas of the law in both state and federal courts, including...

Garvin comes to the firm having worked as an attorney for the Legal Aid Services of Oregon. In addition to his wealth of litigation experience, he has expertise in the areas of guardianships, conservatorships and Medicaid planning. He has extensive experience representing victims of elder abuse, advocating for the rights of seniors who reside in care facilities and assisting seniors with consumer problems. Garvin has frequently spoken about elder law topics, giving presentations to audiences in nursing homes, to community organizations and through broadcasts on local television and radio programs. He is a past member of the Executive Committee of the...

Tim has combined decades of clinical social work experience and legal expertise to develop an insightful, innovative and people-friendly approach to assisting his clients. He is the founding President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and was recognized in 1992 as a Fellow of the Academy. Tim is a past President of the Oregon Gerontological Association, past Chair and founding member of the Elder Law Section of the Oregon State Bar and past President of the Oregon Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. He is past Chair, Amicus Brief Committee-National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (2003-2006) and also a member...