Estate planning made simple.

Estate planning can be clear, affordable, and timely. Book a free consultation with Shea to ask the questions you have, understand your options, and take action with confidence.

Free estate planning consultation

Wills or Trusts: Which is Right for You?

Understand the differences, benefits, and limitations of wills and trusts so you can choose the right tool to carry out your wishes effectively.

Prepare for Life’s “What Ifs”

Make a plan for what happens if you become disabled or incapacitated using financial and medical powers of attorney and advance health directives.

Learn About Estate Taxes and Probate

Estate taxes and probate are often misunderstood and cause unnecessary fear. Shea can explain them in simple terms, so you are making decisions informed by facts and not by fear.

The estate planning process.

Our estate planning process is simple, affordable, and timely. You’ll know on day one how much the process will cost and when you can expect to have draft documents to review.

STEP 1

Set up a free, no obligation, consultation.

Learn more about estate planning so you can make informed decisions. You will meet with Shea to determine what estate planning strategy is right for you and discuss how much it will cost if you decide to proceed.

STEP 2

Decide whether Shea is the right attorney for you.

If you are inclined to proceed to have Shea prepare your estate plan, we will send you a scope of work with the terms and conditions of representation, a set fee, and a payment link. You can take time to decide whether it is right for you. Once you have paid the fee, Shea will begin preparing your documents.

Step 3

Receive and review draft documents.

You will timely receive draft documents from us, generally within three weeks. You can review the documents in the comfort of your home or office and decide what questions you have for Shea. Once your review is complete, you will set a time to have a follow up consultation which is usually scheduled in a couple of days.

Step 4

Receive and execute final documents.

Shortly after you meet with Shea to review draft documents, Shea will provide signature ready documents to you in PDF format along with instruction on how to go about signing and storing the documents. If questions arise, you can reach out to Shea for help.

Helping where we can.

We offer comprehensive estate planning services. However, if you need something beyond what we do, we’ll help you to help yourself or connect you with the right legal counsel who can help.

Free estate planning consultation

What we can help with:

Education regarding probate and taxes
Developing a comprehensive estate plan
Wills
Trust drafting and administration
Transfer on death deeds
Financial powers of attorney

Medical powers of attorney
Advance directives and directives to physicians (aka “living wills”)
Advice for avoiding and resolving estate and trust disputes
Gifting strategies to minimize estate tax burdens

What we don't do:

Appear in court or make court filings
Probate or TEDRA proceedings
Prepare estate tax returns

Medicaid planning
Law related to obtaining government benefits

See our frequently asked questions.

What is the scope of the free estate planning consultation?

The free estate planning consultation is an opportunity to discuss preparation an estate plan, revision an existing estate plan, or preparation of discreet estate planning documents (e.g. financial power of attorney, medical power of attorney, or advanced directive). Consultations beyond that scope will requirement payment of the standard consultation fee. If the consultation is for the purpose of discussing the interpretation, meaning, or effect of a third party’s estate planning, you will need to book a standard paid consultation. If you do now know whether to book a free consultation or a paid consultation, reach out to Shea and ask (shea@consultwithshea.com).

How much money can I pass when I die in Oregon or Washington without paying estate tax?

In Oregon the exemption is $1 million per person. This means if your estate is valued at more than $1 million at your death, Oregon estate tax may apply. In the case of a married couple, with some simple planning, we can pass up to $2 million without any state or federal estate tax.

In Washington, the exemption is $3 million per person. This means if your estate is valued at more than $3 million at your death, Washington estate tax may apply. In the case of a married couple, with some simple planning, we can pass up to $6 million without any state or federal estate tax.

In the cases of family businesses or farms meeting certain requirements, we may be able to pass even greater sums free of estate tax.

The federal estate tax exemption is much higher — over $13 million per person in 2025 (over $27 million for a married couple) rising to $15 million ($30 million for a married couple) per person in 2026.

Will Shea recommend will-based or trust-based estate planning for me?

Shea will carefully evaluate your circumstances, including such things as the nature of your assets and your age, in determining whether a will or trust is correct for you. As a default, Shea prefers the simplicity and lower cost of will-based estate planning. When it is justified by circumstances, however, Shea is happy to provide people with trust-based estate plans. Ultimately, you will make the decision as to which you prefer based consultation with Shea and other research you may perform.

What is a power of attorney and what specifically does it mean to have a “durable” power of attorney?

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that lets you give someone else authority to act on your behalf. That person (called your “agent” or “attorney-in-fact”) can handle tasks such as paying bills, managing bank accounts, or signing legal documents, depending on the powers you grant.

When a POA is described as “durable,” it means that the authority you’ve given continues even if you later become incapacitated — for example, if you’re in an accident or develop an illness that prevents you from making decisions yourself. Without durability, the POA would automatically end at the point you can no longer act for yourself, which is usually when it’s needed most.

A durable POA is an important part of most estate plans because it ensures someone you trust can step in to manage your affairs if you can’t.

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