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 me...

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...

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 af...

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 m...

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 To...

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 Autho...

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 addit...

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...

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 you...

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 asset...

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 h...

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 pl...

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...

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 owne...

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 wh...

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 emotion...

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 docume...