Theressa Hollis

I’m a partner with Fitzwater Law and have practiced with this firm for 22 years. My practice emphasizes legal issues unique to the elderly and their families, including guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, probate estates, trust administration, and estate planning. Some of my favorite cases are the emergency (“temporary”) guardianships and conservatorships. I received my J.D. from Willamette University College of Law in 1998.

I value helping people in times of crisis by making the legal system understandable. I pride myself on being reliable and thorough in my work, while striving to take the mystery out of the legal process.

Elder law and estate planning is a perfect fit for me. Since my time as a psychology major at Linfield College I have enjoyed helping people in need. I am a frequent volunteer at the Legal Aid Service’s Senior Law Project providing pro bono legal help to seniors. I also enjoy teaching other attorneys to practice elder law. I am a faculty speaker for the Oregon Law Institute and the Multnomah Bar Association on the issues of probate administration and guardianships. I am currently the Treasurer of the Executive Committee for the Elder Law Section of the Oregon State Bar.

I enjoy applying my knowledge and skills to assist my community. I am the second-term President and founding board member of Guardian Partners, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating abuse and neglect for our elderly and disabled populations. I was a Co-Editor of the Oregon State Bar’s Elder Law Handbook (2017). Also in 2017, I was awarded the Oregon State Bar President’s Public Service Award for my volunteer service. I am a member of the following organizations: Oregon Women Lawyers (OWLS), Clackamas County Elder Abuse Coordinated Community Response Team, Guardian/Conservator Association of Oregon, and Oregon Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS).

Willamette University College of Law

J.D. (1998) | Law

1996 - 1998

Linfield College

B.A. (1992) | Psychology & Spanish

1988 - 1992

Partner

Fitzwater Law

2000 - Current

Associate Attorney

Scalf & O'Halloran

1998 - 2000

Associate attorney in a general practice firm handling probate, guardianship and estate planning cases.

Elder Law Handbook

Oregon State Bar

April 27, 2017

Health Ed 2019, Portland, Oregon

May 31, 2019

PESI, Inc.

Fitzwater Law attorneys value giving back to Oregon’s social work community. On Friday, May 31 attorneys Wes Fitzwater, Chris Ray and Theressa Hollis will present at Oregon Elderlaw 2019. This all-day Health Ed presentation put on by PESI, Inc. (Professional Education Systems Institute) benefits social workers, nurses, case managers, psychologists and other professionals working with, caring for & advising the elderly & their families. Topics covered will include planning for health and financial decisions, the impact of the Affordable Care Act on Medicare, recent updates on Medicaid eligibility, understanding guardianship and conservatorship, and elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

President's Public Service Award

Oregon State Bar Association

2017

Public Service Award Criteria: The nominee must have volunteered for the activity involved; must be an active or emeritus member of the Oregon State Bar; and must have made significant contributions to the public through recent efforts in one or more of the following areas: pro bono legal service to individuals or groups, law-related public education, coordination of public service law-related events (such as those associated with Law Day), service with community boards or organizations, or similar activities which benefit the public.

Oregon State Bar Association  # 982626

Member

Current

Oregon State Bar Elder Law Section

Immediate Past President

Current

Guardian Partners

Board Member, Immediate Past President

Current

Guardian/Conservator Association of Oregon

Member

Current

Oregon Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardian Stakeholders (WINGS)

Member

Current

Oregon

Oregon State Bar

ID Number: 982626

Since 1998

• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  We generally bill hourly but some estate planning is handled on a flat fee basis. Please contact me for more information.

Probate

Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests

Estate Planning

Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

Elder Law

• Guardianship/Conservatorship
• Trust Administration
• Wills
• Trusts
• Powers of Attorney

Q. My mom's deed had survivorship but she never took my dad off after he died. Do I have to do a probate for both of them?

14 July 2021

A: Your question is in the category of Probate for the state of Oregon. If the property is in Oregon then here is my answer: Assuming your parents had survivorship on their Deed then all you have to do is record your dad's Death Certificate with the County and the title is clear (meaning that your mom is the sole owner). Then you will need a Small Estate Affidavit for your mother's estate as long as the property is worth less than $200,000 fair market value and you do not have other assets over $75,000 that require probate. I recommend you consult with a probate attorney to provide you specific advice on your situation. If the property is in another state then this information may not be correct.

Q. I am an heir but am not able to get any information from the P.R. Probate atty. said he would charge me to talk to him?

13 July 2021

A: You should be able to obtain information from the Personal Representative's attorney. He will charge the estate for speaking with you. However, he will not be able to give you legal advice. If you need legal advice you should find your own attorney.

Q. Is a will that is handwritten in Oregon, signed by the testator and notarized valid?

13 July 2021

A: A valid Will in Oregon must be signed by two witnesses. However, Oregon has a law that may allow this writing to be probated to control the estate if the person intended the writing to be his/her Will. I recommend you consult with a probate attorney for assistance.