Passing the Baton: Oregon Estate Tips

Medicaid planning isn’t about loopholes — it’s about survival. In Oregon, the average cost of long-term care can hit $10,000 a month, and without a plan, families can burn through everything they’ve worked for in a matter of years. In this episode of Passing the Baton, estate planning attorney Jared Hight explains how Medicaid eligibility actually works in Oregon, why it requires clearing both medical and financial gates, and how advance planning tools like the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) and the Income Cap Trust (Miller Trust) fit into the process.You’ll learn what it means to meet Oregon’s “nursing facility level of care” standard, how exempt and non-exempt assets are treated, and why the five-year lookback period makes timing everything when it comes to MAPTs. We’ll also walk through Oregon’s income cap for 2025 — $2,901 per month — and why every dollar of an applicant’s income must flow through a Miller Trust once care is needed. Along the way, Jared clears up common myths, like whether a wealthy spouse’s income can be ignored, and lays out the usual order of operations when advance planning is in place.Whether you’re planning ahead for your own future or helping aging parents, this episode gives you a clear, Oregon-specific roadmap for protecting assets, qualifying for Medicaid, and ensuring long-term care without losing everything in the process.For more details, read the companion blog post and schedule a free consultation at tracktownlaw.com.

Worried about what would happen to your pets if something happened to you? In this episode of Passing the Baton, Oregon estate planning attorney Jared Hight explains how pet trusts work under Oregon law, when you might need one, and how to make sure your animals are protected. From dogs and cats to parrots and horses, learn how to legally name a caregiver, fund your pet’s ongoing care, and avoid leaving it all to chance. Whether you're drafting a will or building a full trust-based plan, this episode will help you understand when a pet trust is worth it—and how to set one up properly.Visit tracktownlaw.com to schedule a free consultation or read the companion blog post for this episode.

The 2025 Oregon legislative session just ended—and while eight separate estate tax reform bills were introduced, not one of them passed. In this special bonus episode of Passing the Baton, estate planning attorney Jared Hight breaks down what stayed the same (the $1 million exemption) and what changed (House Bill 3630, expanding the natural resource property exemption). Learn how the new rules affect Oregon families with farms, timberland, and fishing interests—especially those using LLCs or trusts.This episode is essential listening for Oregon families wondering about estate tax thresholds, farm succession, and passing down land without triggering a tax bill.Passing the Baton is the Oregon estate planning podcast from Track Town Law, a virtual law firm offering flat-fee wills, trusts, and legacy planning across the state.Book your free consultation at tracktownlaw.com

If you're a parent in Oregon, naming a guardian for your minor children is one of the most important estate planning decisions you can make. In this episode of Passing the Baton, attorney Jared Hight explains how Oregon law handles guardianship, what can go wrong if no one is named, and how you can protect your children with a clear plan. He also covers temporary guardianship options and how to manage a child’s inheritance through a trust.Don’t leave it to a judge to decide who raises your kids. Tune in to learn how a thoughtful guardianship nomination—and possibly a trust—can protect your child’s future.To schedule your free consultation or read the full companion blog post, visit https://www.tracktownlaw.com.

Incapacity can happen suddenly—and when it does, someone needs legal authority to manage your finances. In Oregon, that means having a durable power of attorney. In this episode of Passing the Baton, estate planning attorney Jared Hight explains how powers of attorney work, when they take effect, how to choose your agent, and why a poorly drafted POA can leave your family stuck in court.Track Town Law includes a custom Oregon power of attorney in every flat-fee estate plan. Because access and clarity shouldn’t be optional.Schedule your free consultation today at tracktownlaw.com

In Oregon, your Advance Directive names a decision-maker—but it doesn't authorize them to access your medical records. That’s where the HIPAA Authorization comes in. This episode of Passing the Baton breaks down what a HIPAA release actually does, why it's essential for any estate plan, and how it protects your loved ones from being locked out during a crisis.Track Town Law includes a HIPAA Authorization in every flat-fee estate plan—because access matters when it counts.Schedule a free consultation at tracktownlaw.com

Who will make medical decisions for you if you can’t? In Oregon, the Advance Directive lets you choose—and spells out your wishes for life-sustaining treatment. In this episode of Passing the Baton, estate planning attorney Jared Hight explains why this legal document matters for every adult, how it differs from a POLST, and why Track Town Law includes it in every flat-fee estate plan at no additional cost.Whether you're 28 or 88, an Advance Directive protects your voice when it matters most.🎧 Prefer to read instead? Visit tracktownlaw.com for the full blog post and to schedule your free consultation.

Married couples in Oregon risk losing one estate tax exemption without the right plan. In this episode, estate planning attorney Jared Hight explains how Credit Shelter Trusts (also called bypass trusts) can preserve both spouses’ $1 million exemptions, reduce or eliminate Oregon estate tax, and still provide for the surviving spouse. Learn how this key strategy protects your legacy—especially if your combined estate is near or above the Oregon threshold.Learn more or schedule your free consultation at tracktownlaw.com.

Did you know your life insurance policy could push your estate over Oregon’s $1 million tax threshold? In this episode, estate planning attorney Jared Hight explains how Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs) can help remove life insurance from your taxable estate, preserve your Oregon estate tax exemption, and structure gifts using Crummey powers. Learn how this overlooked tool can protect your legacy—and keep the state from taking a cut.Learn more or schedule your free consultation at tracktownlaw.com.

Learn why the HEMS standard—Health, Education, Maintenance, and Support—is crucial in Oregon estate planning. Attorney Jared Hight explains how this common trust provision impacts credit shelter trusts, protects your Oregon estate tax exemption, and governs trustee distributions. If your estate plan includes a trust or you're considering one, understanding HEMS is essential to preserving assets and maintaining control.Explore more estate planning insights or schedule your free consultation at tracktownlaw.com.

Irrevocable trusts get a bad rap for being rigid—but in Oregon, they’re essential for Medicaid planning, inheritance protection, and estate-tax reduction. In this episode, Jared Hight of Track Town Law explains how giving up control can safeguard your assets, preserve benefits, and build a durable legacy.

A revocable trust without a pour-over will is like a parachute with no backup. In this episode of Passing the Baton, estate attorney Jared Hight explains what a pour-over will is, why every trust needs one, and how it protects your plan from gaps, oversights, or late-stage financial curveballs. You may never need it—but if you do, you’ll be glad it’s there. Learn more at tracktownlaw.com.

In this episode of Passing the Baton, estate attorney Jared Hight explains how revocable living trusts work, why they’re so popular in Oregon, and when they make sense—or don’t. From probate avoidance to pet clauses to property in multiple states, we cover the real advantages (and real-world limitations) of this powerful estate planning tool. Thinking about skipping probate the smart way? Start here. Learn more at tracktownlaw.com.

Oregon’s Transfer-on-Death Deed (TODD) is a probate shortcut that works—until a refinance, title change, or missing backup beneficiary quietly breaks it. In Episode 10 of Passing the Baton, estate attorney Jared Hight explains how TODDs function, when they fail, and why recording one isn’t the end of the story. One deed. One beneficiary. Zero room for error. Visit tracktownlaw.com to keep your plan on track.

That "beneficiary" box you checked years ago? It might override your will. In this episode of Passing the Baton, estate attorney Jared Hight untangles Oregon's non-probate transfers—from payable-on-death accounts to transfer-on-death deeds—and shows how the “easy” way to pass assets can backfire if you're not careful. Learn what works, what breaks, and how to keep your accounts from rewriting your estate plan. Visit tracktownlaw.com to align your designations before they misfire.

Oregon wants a cut. So does the IRS. But they don’t coordinate, and they certainly don’t split the check. In this episode of Passing the Baton, attorney Jared Hight breaks down how Oregon’s $1 million estate tax stacks with the federal exemption, what happens when you cross both lines, and how to keep more of your estate out of government hands. Learn why trusts, gifting, and smart insurance ownership matter—especially before the federal exemption sunsets in 2026. For tailored planning, visit tracktownlaw.com.

Download a $99 will kit, skip the lawyer, and save thousands—right? Not so fast. In this episode of Passing the Baton, attorney Jared Hight explains why fill-in-the-blank estate plans often fail where it matters most: in court, when you're not around to fix them. From execution mistakes to tax traps and trust funding failures, we walk through the hidden costs of going it alone—and what you get when you hire a lawyer who actually knows Oregon law. Ready to trade boilerplate for peace of mind? Visit tracktownlaw.com.

Oregon’s $1 million estate-tax cap hasn’t budged in 13 years while housing values have doubled. Attorney Jared Hight explains how the tax is calculated, reviews five bills now in the Legislature that could raise or scrap the cap, and outlines trusts, gifts, and insurance moves you can deploy today. Listen in, then explore next-step guides at tracktownlaw.com.

Need the Oregon small estate affidavit explained fast? Estate attorney Jared Hight breaks down caps, forms, and deadlines so you can use this Oregon probate shortcut to wrap up an estate in weeks, not months. Perfect for executors and heirs. Press play, then visit tracktownlaw.com.

Need the Oregon probate process in plain English? Estate attorney Jared Hight walks you through each court-required step—filing, creditor notice, inventory, debt payment, accounting, distribution—plus timelines, costs, and strategies to cut delays. Perfect for executors, heirs, and homeowners. Press play and learn more at tracktownlaw.com.

Attorney Jared Hight of Track Town Law busts the four biggest myths that keep Oregonians from writing a will, explains how a simple document names guardians, protects heirlooms, and spares loved ones court headaches, and walks you through fool‑proof signing steps in just eight minutes. Ready to lock in your wishes? Visit tracktownlaw.com.

When someone dies without a will, Oregon’s one‑size‑fits‑all statute decides who gets the house, the cabin, and the family silver—often with painful surprises for step‑children, longtime partners, and unprepared heirs. In this episode, Jared Hight breaks down the state’s rigid family tree, shows how a single life event can upend expectations, and explains the real‑world costs—financial and emotional—of letting the legislature write your estate plan. Tune in to learn why a simple, well‑timed will beats Oregon’s default rules every time.For individualized advice on your specific needs, please contact me at www.tracktownaw.com.

Welcome to "Passing the Baton," the podcast dedicated to simplifying estate planning for Oregon and Idaho families. I'm Jared Hight from Track Town Law, and in this first episode, we're starting with the basics: what exactly is an estate plan, and why do you really need one? We'll cut through the confusion, clear up some common misconceptions, and outline the essential documents every person should have in place. Estate planning doesn't have to be complicated—join me as we make it simple and clear.For personalized advice on your specific needs, please contact me at www.tracktownlaw.com.