Douglas, Conroyd, Gibb & Pacheco

Douglas, Conroyd, Gibb & Pacheco has been in business since 1970. Our four attorneys specialize in Elder Law, including Estate Planning, Medicaid Asset Protection, Guardianships and Conservatorships, Probate and Trust Administration, and VA Benefits. We work within the state of Oregon, primarily in the Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Linn, Lane, Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties.

Elder Law typically refers to the planning associated with the need for long term care. This often involves Medicaid, Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income, and other public benefit programs. Elder Law planning also often includes dealing with long term health care insurance.

Typically our clients will have a spouse or loved one who is currently in need of long term health care, or who will be in need of long term health care in the foreseeable future.Seeking out available benefits, protecting assets and spending down for Medicaid, and working with long term health care insurance benefits are common in this practice.

Estate planning is a broad subject, which is best summed up as the process of "making decisions now for those times when a person cannot make them for themselves in the future." Proper estate planning typically includes much more than just the traditional Will.

A complete estate plan includes a Durable General Power of Attorney and an Advance Directive for Health Care, to ensure that a person's wishes can be carried out if they become unable to make their own decisions while they are still alive.A complete plan will also include a will or trust that directs the handling of a person's estate after they pass away.

A special needs trust provides a way for a person with a disability to receive financial support while remaining eligible for needs-based government benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). We work with families to provide relevant trusts to protect assets, and explain how a special needs trust preserves SSI and Medicaid eligibility, as well as advising trustees on administration and some potential problems that may arise.

Veterans and widows of veterans may receive additional tax free income benefits from the VA if they need assistance with their activities of daily living (bathing, walking, eating, toileting, dressing). The benefit is a Special Monthly Pension called "Aid & Attendance." This benefit is based on a person's assets and income.