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Wills, Trusts and Probate Attorney


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When you have decided to establish your legacy or want to ensure your wishes for your loved ones and your finances are carried out, you want a straight talking, compassionate lawyer to guide you through the process. A clear and specific estate plan is the best gift you can give your loved ones. 

Talking with your loved ones about your plans can be an emotional and difficult experience.Sandy Kuenzi will be with you each step of the way to ensure your wishes and desires are expressed and carried out.

Creating an estate plan and taking the time to explain it to your loved ones minimizes uncertainty and stress at a time of emotional loss. With all the choices available to you, you want a caring, knowledgeable attorney to help protect your interests.

At KUENZI LAW LLC, in Happy Valley, Clackamas County, Oregon, Sandy has over 25 years of financial and wealth management experience in addition to a law degree. Sandy has always worked hard to build client relationships based on trust. Clients and their family know immediately where to go when a problem arises. Her style is straightforward. It is imperative to her you understand your options and the consequences.

Sandy will always tell you what you need to hear – especially if it is not what you want to hear. She takes the time to listen carefully to your concerns so that we can help you take steps that are in your best interests. As a sole practitioner, Sandy intends to personally handle all matters related to your case.

I offer an initial one hour consultation to estate planning and probate clients at the reduced rate of $100. Integrity, compassion and straightforward approach help many clients through a very difficult time. To schedule an appointment, call 503.680.7493.

Estate Tax Changes 2013

Effective January 1, 2013 Congress changed the Federal exemption for estates to $5,250,000. If an estate is valued at an amount higher than that Federal estate taxes may be triggered.  The marginal Federal rate for 2013 is 40%.

In addition to a Federal Estate Tax, Oregon initiated a State Estate Tax which is triggered at estates in excess of $1,000,000.  Oregon’s marginal State Estate tax rate is 10 – 16%.

To calculate an estate size, all assets are included. This includes real property, life insurance, retirement accounts, investment portfolios, privately owned businesses and bank accounts. 

Portland Wills and Trusts Attorney

Sandy Kuenzi starts the process by learning as much as possible about your dream for your family.  Next she will work through your current financial situation. We will also talk about your concerns about family member objections, and obstacles you anticipate for the execution of your plan. Sandy Kuenzi will carefully explain the different strategies available to help you accomplish your objectives, including the use of wills and trusts, the re-titling of assets to avoid probate, charitable giving and lifetime gifts.

Once you have determined the best strategy for your situation, Sandy Kuenzi will draft and execute the documents necessary to put your estate plan in place, including:

  • Wills. A will specifies who will receive what property from your estate. It can also identify a guardian for your minor children. This is a minimum level of protection for you and your family.
  • Trusts. A trust helps you avoid the time and expense of probate by transferring title to your property to a new legal entity, which you control during your lifetime. Sandy will prepare a the type of trust that will execute your dreams: a living or testamentary trust, revocable or irrevocable trust, or a special needs trust.
  • Powers of attorney. A power of attorney grants someone the legal right and authority to act on your behalf. It may be used to pay bills, negotiate the sale or purchase of assets on your behalf or sign a legal document.
  • Advance Health Care Directives. An advance health care directive identifies who will make medical decisions for you if you are not able to make those decisions for yourself. It also allows you to explain your end of life decisions such as organ donation, level of care, and medical intervention levels you want.                                                                                                     Oregon Probate Lawyer
Sandy Kuenzi works with executors, administrators and personal representatives, helping you complete the steps required by the probate court so that you can close the estate of a loved one.

Kuenzi Law LLC  will assist you with the preparation and filing of an inventory of the assets of the estate, obtain property valuations (if necessary), pay all final debts and taxes of the deceased, and help you oversee the orderly distribution of the assets of the estate in accordance with the terms of the will. The attorney at Kuenzi Law LLC will prepare the final accounting for the court and prepare the assets for distribution.  Throughout the process you will be kept up to date and aware of each step before it happens.


We are skilled listeners, who can make complex issues easy to understand. We are here to assist.

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Contact us today for assistance with legal matters pertaining to your estate planning. We are eager to help. Call Today: 503.680.7493

Sandra Kuenzi, OSB#134072 | KUENZI LAW LLC | 10365 SE Sunnyside Road, Suite 240, Clackamas, OR 97015 | Office: 503.680.7493

Serving Clackamas Area, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, Damascus, Boring, Sandy, Oregon City, Gresham, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Portland, Multnomah County and Washington County.
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