Frequently Asked Questions

The Law Office of Michael Cougar handles wrongful death cases for families in Gladstone and throughout Clackamas County. Michael Cougar works directly with clients to pursue compensation for lost income, funeral costs, and the profound loss a family suffers when a loved one is taken by someone else's negligence.

The Law Office of Michael Cougar handles personal injury, wrongful death, estate planning, probate, bankruptcy, and family law matters including divorce for clients in Gladstone and Clackamas County. This range means clients dealing with overlapping legal issues — such as an injury and resulting financial hardship — can work with one office rather than several.

A wrongful death claim in Oregon exists when someone's death is caused by another party's negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct. Eligible family members — typically a spouse, children, or parents — may recover damages for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. An attorney can review the facts of your situation to confirm whether a claim applies.

Seek medical attention first, even if injuries seem minor, because documentation of treatment is critical to any personal injury claim. Preserve evidence by photographing the scene, collecting contact information from witnesses, and avoiding recorded statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with an attorney. Acting quickly protects your legal rights under Oregon's statute of limitations.

Most Oregon residents benefit from having at least a will, which directs how your assets are distributed and names a guardian for minor children. A revocable living trust can be a stronger tool if you want to avoid probate, maintain privacy, or hold property in multiple states. The right choice depends on the size and complexity of your estate.

Probate is generally required in Oregon when a person dies owning assets titled solely in their name that exceed $275,000 in real property or $75,000 in personal property. Assets held in a trust, jointly owned property, and accounts with named beneficiaries typically pass outside of probate. Clackamas County residents can often reduce or eliminate probate exposure through advance planning.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharges most unsecured debts, like credit cards and medical bills, relatively quickly — often within a few months — but requires passing a means test based on income. Chapter 13 creates a three-to-five-year repayment plan that lets you catch up on a mortgage or keep property you might otherwise lose. The right option depends on your income, assets, and specific financial goals.

In divorce mediation, a neutral mediator helps both spouses reach agreements on property, support, and parenting without a judge deciding the outcome, which typically costs less and resolves faster than litigation. Court proceedings hand decision-making authority to a judge and involve formal rules of evidence and procedure. Many Clackamas County divorcing couples use mediation to reduce conflict and maintain more control over the final terms.

Oregon's statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury. Wrongful death claims must generally be filed within three years of the date of death. Missing these deadlines almost always bars recovery entirely, so consulting an attorney in Gladstone as early as possible after an injury is important.

Yes. If you were injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Gladstone or elsewhere in Oregon, you may be able to file a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage. Oregon law requires insurers to offer this coverage, and an attorney can help you navigate the claims process and negotiate a fair settlement with your own insurer.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer typically results in higher settlements because attorneys understand how to document damages, counter lowball offers, and build liability arguments that insurers take seriously. Studies consistently show that represented claimants recover more on average even after attorney fees than unrepresented claimants. For serious injuries or disputed liability in Clackamas County, legal representation is especially valuable.

You may need a guardianship in Oregon when a family member can no longer make safe decisions for themselves due to age, disability, or incapacity, and no existing power of attorney covers their needs. A petition is filed with the court — in Clackamas County, that means the Oregon Circuit Court — and a judge appoints a guardian after reviewing medical evidence and holding a hearing. An attorney can help you prepare the petition and meet Oregon's specific documentation requirements.

Yes, guardianship and conservatorship often go hand in hand in Oregon — guardianship covers personal and medical decisions, while a conservatorship covers financial ones. If your family member needs help managing both their care and their assets, an attorney familiar with Clackamas County probate court can petition for both at the same time, streamlining the process significantly.

A wrongful death claim is brought by surviving family members when a person dies due to someone else's negligence, whereas a personal injury claim is filed by the injured person directly. Oregon law limits who can file a wrongful death lawsuit and sets specific rules about recoverable damages, including funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship, making experienced legal representation especially important.