No one wants to go bankrupt, and we understand the anxiety that comes with the prospect of filing for bankruptcy. However, we also understand that bankruptcy can be the only responsible option protecting your family and you from financial ruin. At Behrends, Swingdoff & Haines we put our clients first. We understand that an important part of our job is stress reduction.

Bankruptcy still offers debt relief for most people. Many people contacting us have heard rumors that changes to bankruptcy laws in 2005 made it almost impossible to discharge consumer debts such as credit cards or medical bills. This is simply not correct.

Bankruptcy is still a powerful tool. You can stop foreclosures, prevent collections and halt garnishments on your very next paycheck. In some situations, you can remove a second mortgage from your property. You can still discharge your debts, protect your family and enjoy a normal financial future.

To get started, just call or use the e-mail form to the right. You can reach us during regular business hours at 541-344-7472 or 1-800-391-7472. If you're calling after regular business hours, please leave a message, and we will get back to you shortly.

Our goal is to provide the best possible service to our clients at the lowest possible cost. Our fees are on par with or lower than many of our competitors, and we will do the complicated bankruptcy forms with you.

Unlike some other law firms, we don’t expect you to find your way through a semi-automated maze of forms and questionnaires. We offer a simple questionnaire that requires nothing more complicated than your name, address, social security number and some basic information. We do the rest of the forms with you, so that you know that they are done correctly!

Bankruptcy can be complicated. Will you be able to keep your house and cars? How long will it take? Do you have to go to court? Can your creditors ask the court to say no to your bankruptcy? Can bankruptcy stop collection of taxes? What is the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, and which one would be best for you? We take you through the labyrinth of bankruptcy laws while making sure you understand the process and what to expect at each step.

You might be surprised to know how many of your friends and neighbors have had to go through bankruptcy. You are not alone. No one plans to go bankrupt, but bad breaks happen, and we are here to help. You are taking an important step to try to resolve your problems by contacting us for more information.

We are required by law to include in our advertising a statement that we are a debt relief agency, and we help people file bankruptcy.

We have helped many clients settle outstanding tax claims with the Internal Revenue Service and the Oregon Department of Revenue for substantially less than what was owed, including business, personal, income and employment taxes.

If you are receiving collection notices, cannot pay your taxes or dispute what they say you owe, you may be able to resolve these issues with our help through the tax settlement programs available with both the IRS and the ODR. The IRS Offer in Compromise program and the Oregon Department of Revenue Settlement Offer may allow you to settle your tax debts based on what you own and what you can afford to pay—even if it is less than the amount you owe.

In other words, if you are unable to pay your entire tax bill, we may be able to negotiate settlements for you. We offer a one-hour reduced fee consultation for $250.00. This consultation allows us to analyze your situation and determine whether or not you might qualify for a settlement program.

In both programs, it is important to remember that both tax agencies have the power to accept or reject any settlement offer. We cannot force the Internal Revenue Service or the Oregon Department of Revenue to accept a settlement from you. We try to show the tax collectors that it is in their best interest to settle with you for a reduced amount.

These programs make it easier for you to apply for help when facing dire financial circumstances, because they allow the tax agencies to be more flexible when considering your offers to settle your tax bills.

To qualify, your settlement offer must reflect the formulas used by the taxing agencies. They are based on a percentage of your assets and a multiple of the amount they believe you can afford to pay over and above your basic living expenses.

These programs are designed only for taxpayers caught up in severe financial circumstances. They are not programs for everyone with tax problems. Many people will have to negotiate a payment plan, because they will not qualify for settlement offers. However, if you are having problems paying your tax bills, there is a good chance that we can work with the IRS and the ODR to better your tax situation.

Neither the IRS nor the ODR will consider a settlement offer if you are either involved in an open bankruptcy or have not filed all of your tax returns. Preparation of all of the missing tax returns is usually a necessary first step. We do not prepare tax returns, so you will have to hire a tax consultant or CPA to help you get the necessary information and complete any unfiled returns. We can recommend several excellent tax preparers or accountants, so ask for a referral.

Wills and Trusts; Probate and Trust Administration

At Behrends, Swingdoff & Haines we want to do everything we can to serve our clients in the best way possible. Because we have drafted many wills and trusts through the years and have been through probate and trust administration outside of probate numerous times, we have the experience to help you avoid the pitfalls that inhabit these complicated areas of law.

When you are thinking of having a will or a trust prepared, our goal is for you to thoroughly understand all of your options. We want to inform you about the arrangements you should make for your family, and whether you need a will or a trust to protect them. We also help you understand the role of Durable Powers of Attorney and the Oregon Advance Directive that addresses the issues of end of life care, including Health Care Powers of Attorney and Directives to Physicians.

If you are dealing with the legal problems that arise when a loved one passes away, our goal is to do everything we can to make this difficult situation as bearable as possible. We do this by answering all of your questions.

We think that it is important for our clients to understand how wills and trusts work. Why do some people have wills and some people have living trusts? Why might one or the other be better for you and your family?

A will or a trust gives you the power and flexibility to implement your wishes for your estate and your family.

People have wills to ensure that an inheritance is received by the individuals they choose. They may want to guarantee that the right person is in control of their estate or the inheritance that they are leaving to their children. Often, a will is used to designate the guardians for minor children. Some people choose to leave gifts to charities, family members or friends.

We will come to your home if you cannot make it to our office.

If necessary, we will make a house call for you or your loved one to prepare a will or trust. We understand that sometimes important estate planning questions are put off, because no one wants to think about the worst. It is not always possible for our clients to come to our office. When circumstances prohibit an office visit, we can come to your home or the hospital.

Some firms will give free day-long seminars on covering all of the complicated twists and turns of Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Probate and Trust Administration.

You can easily pay $3,500.00 - $5,000.00 for a living trust package that we would provide for much less—usually $1,000.00 - $1,500.00. Some firms recommend living trusts for nearly everyone. We think that you will be better served if we help you understand how wills and trusts are different, how they work and why we recommended one or the other based on an individual situation.

For many, the stress of divorce can be overpowering. If you have children, this can add to the feelings of loss and confusion that you already may be experiencing. We believe that accurate information can help you make good decisions and move forward.

We offer an initial free consultation, so that we can meet and discuss your unique situation. This also gives us a chance to make sure that we are a good fit for you and your needs. To have a successful attorney-client relationship, you must feel comfortable communicating with us, and we want to make sure you know we are here for you.

If you are a parent going through a divorce, you should know and understand your rights and responsibilities. Though many of your personal ties to the other parent may have been severed, you will continue to share a parenting relationship. A parenting plan may be established so that you and your child can count on when you will see each other.

We also believe that it is always in our clients' best interests to help them understand the divorce process and to work together on settlement of the issues in their case.