Carolyn Bys

Carolyn Bys

GOODWILL & TRUST
https://goodwillandtrust.com/

Areas of Focus: Kids Protection Planning, LGBTQIA+ Planning, Life and Legacy Planning

Licensed States: Oregon

What to expect from Carolyn Bys

  • A 15- minute introductory call to understand your goals and needs.
  • 2-Hour Working Life & Legacy Planning Session: A comprehensive look at your current family dynamics and your assets, including a comprehensive inventory of everything you have so none of it is ever lost.
  • Education on how the law impacts your family and assets, focused specifically on your County, State and Country of residence.
  • A transparent discussion of your options to care for what matters most to you, no matter what happens. Planning options that work for you and the people you love. Relational, compassionate counsel to help you make "eyes wide open" choices for yourself and the people you love.
  • A clear plan (not just documents) for how your assets and those you love will be taken care of, throughout every stage of life, and in the event of your incapacity or death.

About Carolyn Bys

I became a Personal Family Lawyer to make a change in practicing law from one that is grounded in reaction and crisis, to one that is grounded in the empowerment of my community and clients to become proactive in their legal planning needs to keep people out of court, conflict and crisis.

The law, when used proactively and preventively, can be an incredible sword to carve out the future and visions you desire, not simply a sword to defend against the ones you don’t.

I am here to help you make that happen. Whether you or married or single, with children or without, blended family or LGBTQ+, I take the time to get to know your assets— both tangible and intangible– your hopes and your goals– in order to design the best life and legacy planning that is uniquely suited to you and your loved ones. That’s where the firm’s name gets it double meaning– we build and deliver goodwill and trust.

I have been a lawyer for more than 15 years and bring a rich mix of legal and life experience to our legal planning sessions. Prior to establishing Goodwill & Trust Estate Planning Law, I was an Oregon Appellate Public Defender, worked for the human rights branch of an intergovernmental organization training prosecutors and law enforcement on investigating hate crime, led the Ethics and Investigations unit of a large, international humanitarian and development non-profit with programs in 40+ countries, and ran my own consulting firm on sexual harassment in the development sector.

I have had the privilege of living and working all over the world, but I have never been happier than to return to my community to help educate and empower them with legal planning on some of the biggest decisions for their life, legacies and their loved ones in order to ensure the outcomes they desire.

I look forward to hearing from you and working with you.

THE PERSONAL FAMILY LAWYER PROMISE

What makes PFL lawyers different?

  • Asset-1how-you-hire
    How you hire us.

    We begin with a comprehensive inventory of everything you own, and everyone you love, and consider it all in a working meeting, called a Family Wealth Planning Session, to guide you to clarify your financial life and legacy goals before we draft a single document.

  • Asset-1@3x
    How we plan.

    We work with you throughout every life stage to map out the most likely scenarios for you and the people you love, planning for each as your life, the law, and your assets change over time.

  • Asset-1what-we-protect
    What we protect.

    Our Life & Legacy Planning process ensures everything that matters most -- from your financial assets to your values, insights, stories and experience -- are captured and documented during your life and cared for over the generations to come.

  • Asset-1transparency
    What you see.

    Transparency in our process, and our fees … all of which are flat fees, agreed to in advance, based on your choices and with no surprises, ensuring we stay on the same side of the table - supporting you to make a lifetime of great decisions - every step of the way.

  • Asset-1DElivery
    How we deliver.

    Our systems help you get clear and organized, overcoming the exact issues that keep most estate plans from actually working when they are needed most. We help you leave your family with a gift of love, and not a mess.

  • Asset-1work-150x150
    How our plans work.

    One-and-done estate plans focused only on money are a recipe for a big mess. We help you throughout every stage of life and be there for the people you love, when you can’t be.

Contact Carolyn Bys

Complete the form below to reach out and schedule your 15-minute initial consultation.

Carolyn Bys
Goodwill & Trust
https://goodwillandtrust.com/