Robert J. Saalfeld

Bio

Robert Saalfeld's practice focuses on estate planning, estate and trust administration, business succession planning and charitable planning.

Bob is licensed to practice in both Oregon and Washington. He is AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated with Martindale-Hubbel®. He is also listed in Best Lawyers In America® (Estate Planning) and has been named to the Oregon Super Lawyers®  list. 

Bob is a frequent speaker to lawyers, accountants, and other professionals on estate planning topics.

Practice Areas

Estate Planning

Bob has assisted clients in accomplishing a variety of planning objectives, including:

• Revocable living trusts to avoid court probate and provide management in event of incapacity.
• Trusts to provide for spouses during life, to reduce death tax and also protect the children's inheritance from the second spouse.
• Gifting trusts for children or grandchildren to protect against immaturity, divorce, or creditors.
• Irrevocable trusts designed to reduce death taxes such as Qualified Personal Residence Trusts, Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, and Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts.
• Planning for succession of the Business or Farm.
• Charitable gifting.

Bob's experience has ranged from simple estate plans involving nontaxable estates to complex plans for estates in excess of $100 million.

Trust and Estate Administration

Bob works with Trustees, Personal Representatives and Agents and Fiduciaries in administering or counseling on trusts and estates following death or incapacity.

Education

Willamette University College of Law
J.D., magna cum laude, 1974 

University of San Francisco
B.A., cum laude, 1971

 

Professional Activities

Bob has been elected as a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). He is also a current member of Wealth Counsel, LLC and the Willamette Valley Estate Planning Council. He is a former member of Executive Committee for the Estate Planning and Administration Section of the Oregon State Bar.

Bob has served as Past President of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as Past President of the Salem Public Library Foundation. He is currently serving on the Board of Blanchet Catholic School and Catholic Community Services Foundation.

Publications

• Contributing author to book Generations: Planning Your Legacy (Publication Fall 1999)
• Contributing author to book Legacy: Plan, Protect & Preserve Your Estate (Publication Fall 1996)
• 1995 coauthor of chapter "The Role of Trusts in the Estate Planning Process" for the Oregon State Bar CLE book Administering Trusts in Oregon
• 1992 Article for Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section newsletter

Off the Job

Bob's hobbies include cross country skiing (including Worldloppet Ski Federation marathon events), hiking and golf. Although Bob and his wife Susan do not have children of their own, "Uncle Bob" and "Grandma Susan" enjoy spending time with their many nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.