TIP #1 - THE LEGAL CHECKUP.
Call now for an appointment @ Phone 503-981-0155


Doctors and dentists urge their patients to receive checkups on a regular basis to discover problems before they are out of control, and to better maintain the health of their patients. The same focus on prevention can protect you from legal problems. An occasional legal checkup may be money well spent. Proper planning is usually less costly than obtaining legal services after a crisis has occurred.


We consult with our clients on a wide range of matters about their personal affairs. Document review by an attorney before signing can be useful to understand the legal ramifications of the document. Everyone needs a current Will, especially if you have children or substantial property. Options also may be available for tax planning and probate avoidance. Persons who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident will usually benefit from legal advice about how to best present their claim, and in such instances, you can retain your attorney on a contingent fee basis. If someone makes a claim against you, prompt legal advice may also help protect you from liability or reduce your personal exposure.

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Legal Tips

Timely Advice and Proper Planning Can Avoid Legal Problems.

LEGAL TIP #2 - HAVE YOU PLANNED FOR YOUR RETIREMENT?


Many of our clients are considering their retirements and estate planning. If you are newly retired or contemplate retirement, we encourage you to consult with us about your areas of concern and the best ways to accomplish your objectives. Probate avoidance, Trusts, estate taxes, family needs, charitable giving, transfer on death arrangements, advance medical directives, and business succession concerns are among the issues you may wish to discuss. The basics of estate planning for all persons include a Will, General Durable Power of Attorney, and Advance (Medical) Directive, and these documents can be obtained at an affordable cost. Confer with your accountant and financial advisors as needed, and contact us to get started on your estate plan. Social security information is also available online at www.ssa.gov

LEGAL TIP #3 - COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR ATTORNEY


When working with your attorney on a legal matter, the opportunity for a good result is improved by following a number of basic steps:

  1. Pay close attention to any correspondence and documents that you receive from your attorney. Identify any

  errors or omissions that may require attention.

  2. Make sure your attorney has all of the relevant information and documents to handle your case. Be truthful and

  complete in your disclosure of the facts. There should be no surprises for your attorney in preparation and

  presentation of your case.

  3. If your attorney has a legal assistant, much communication can go through him/her, regardless of whether your

  attorney is immediately available when you call. Establish a good relationship with the assistant, and it can pay

  dividends for you.

  4. Talk to your attorney about those things that are troubling to you during work on your case. Your attorney will best

  handle your problems and concerns if he fully understands your perspective on the situation.

  5. Every attorney's work involves preparation during times when the client is not present in the law office. He can be

  more efficient and thorough if you communicate adequately about the problem and objectives.

  6. Discuss legal fees. Your attorney may prefer to have a signed fee agreement that sets the rates, initiates the

  representation, and confirms the terms of employment. Make sure that you know and understand the basis for

  charges relating to work on your case.

  7. Be a good team member with your attorney. Remember: you are working for a common objective, and both of you

  want a good outcome. Help your attorney help you whenever possible.

LEGAL TIP #4 - GETTING STARTED ON YOUR ESTATE PLAN


An estate plan does not need to be complicated or expensive. Some steps cost little or nothing, such as updating beneficiaries on retirement accounts and life insurance. Other planning will take into account your objectives, the property value in your estate, the number and type of intended beneficiaries, and the need for future management and administration for your affairs. At minimum, you should have a Will drawn by your attorney that specifies the persons you want to inherit from you, designates a personal representative to administer your estate, names a preferred guardian and conservator for minor children, establishes trust provisions if desired, and make other necessary directions for your estate.


Other basic documents would include a General Durable Power of Attorney naming someone to handle your business affairs when you are unable to do so, and also an Advance Directive that specifies your medical representatives and personal preferences in the event of healthcare decisions, including life or death decisions about artificial feeding and life supports. Organ donation forms, probate avoidance measures such as Transfer On Death directives, and changes in the ownership of your assets may also be appropriate to best achieve your intentions. Trust assets must be owned in the name of the trust. Updating death beneficiaries on life insurance policies and retirement accounts may be important if your circumstances or preferences have changed, and this may also provide an opportunity for charitable giving and tax planning. CALL NOW FOR AN APPOINTMENT @ 503-981-0155.

LEGAL TIP #5 - AUTOMOBILE COLLISIONS


The misfortune of injuries suffered in a vehicle accident can happen to anyone. The injured person should contact an attorney without undue delay to be advised about insurance coverages, proper documentation of claims, and advice on how to best present his/her claim for medical expenses, income losses, pain and suffering, permanent or continuing impairments, and other aspects of the legal damages claims. CALL NOW FOR AN APPOINTMENT @ 503-981-0155.

Several basic points need to be considered:

  1. Contact your insurance agent immediately to report the accident and obtain his assistance with filing appropriate

  claims under your own auto policy. Even if you are not at fault, your own policy will cover related reasonable medical

  expenses and may cover a portion of income losses if you are unable to work for 14 consecutive days or more.

  2. Obtain whatever medical care that is needed, and do so in a timely manner. This will help you on the road to recovery

  and assure that adequate documentation of the injuries is made. Be thorough in your discussion of injuries with the

  doctor.

  3. Take pictures of any damage to your vehicle from different angles. Photos of the scene of the accident are also useful.

  If you have any visible bruises, cuts or marks on your body, promptly take photos of these.

  4. Keep a journal regarding any daily activities or employment that are disrupted or prevented by the impairment from

  your injuries.

  5. Do not give a statement to the other party's insurance adjustor unless you have an attorney's advice, participation,

  and consent to the questioning.

  6. Make sure you have the names and contact information for all witnesses to the accident. File your accident report

  with DMV and get a copy of any police report from the department that dispatched the officer to the scene of the

  accident.

  7. If you are losing income because of your injuries, gather current paystubs, tax returns, work logs, time records, and

  other evidence of your normal income and lost wages/hours to prove what you would have earned. Also get a doctor's

  written disability statement for the insurance company. Provide your attorney with a signed Authorization To

  Disclose Medical Records for his use in obtaining all such records and any prior medical history, as needed.


Your attorney will eventually submit a documented claim on your behalf to the liability insurance company for the responsible party, and your timely attention to these details will assist in the fair recovery of money on your behalf. You will be entitled to recovery for accident-related pain, suffering, anxiety, loss of sleep, physical injuries, interference with normal activities at home and work, lost income, loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, future medical costs, and any losses that can be attributed to the injuries suffered in the accident, as documented in medical records and other information obtained on your claim.


Attorney fees will be based upon a contingent fee agreement. The attorney is paid a percentage of your recovery when the money is received from the liability insurance carrier for the responsible party. Ask your attorney to explain his contingent fee arrangements, which will give you the opportunity to have legal representation, although you may lack the financial means to otherwise hire an attorney. Representation is often very important to an injury claimant, since liability insurance companies are represented by professionals who have extensive experience in protection of the companies' interests on these matters. You likely will need an experienced attorney to look out for your interests and assure a fair result.


Your attorney will look out for your legal interests on the claim while your doctor attends to care of your injuries and medical needs.