My practice at Fitzwater Law emphasizes all areas of estate planning and administration, planning for people with special needs and young adults heading off to college.  I particularly enjoy working with, and doing planning for, young families or families post-divorce, to make sure everything is in place for their child or children experiencing special needs. I also do planning involving small businesses.  I received my undergraduate degree (philosophy, politics, and economics) from the University of Pennsylvania and my J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law.

 

I want my estate planning clients to walk away with a customized, detailed, realistic, and clear estate plan which will accomplish their wishes.  Estate planning can be uncomfortable and confusing, and my goal is to explain complicated legal options in a way that is easy to understand.  I want to provide peace of mind and clarity for my clients while also giving them the information necessary to make well informed decisions regarding taxes, charitable gifts, distributions, and trustee options.  As a visual learner, I often draw graphs and flow charts to help my clients understand their plans and know exactly what will happen in each situation.

 

While I grew up in Idaho, and attended undergrad on the east coast, I quickly realized that I’m a west coast girl at heart.  As such, the entirety of my legal career has been here in Oregon. I have worked in both the public and private sectors and I am very happy here at Fitzwater Law.  The firm has a great female presence and is just the right size to provide current, comprehensive, sophisticated service to our clients, while maintaining the “small firm” personalized feeling.

 

I am a frequent speaker on the topics of estate planning, probate, and special needs planning, having done presentations for elderly living facilities, women’s financial groups, family groups, Union Associations, Veteran’s Association groups, Brokerage services, and the Oregon State Bar Association.  You can also find my writing in Oregon State Bar publications.  In addition, I have had the pleasure of teaching paralegal courses through Portland Community College for the last 10 years.  

 

When I am not in the office, you can find me with my husband and two daughters exploring the Pacific Northwest. We love to hike, bike, camp, garden, and ski.

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EDUCATION

• University of Oregon School of Law - J.D. (2008)

 

ORGANIZATIONS

• Oregon State Bar (OSB)

• Oregon State Bar, Estate Planning and Administration, Elder Law and Family Law Section Member