Plain-language explainers
Notes from a McMinnville law firm.
Short, statute-cited explainers on the issues we see most: personal injury, criminal defense, estate, immigration. Written by the attorneys who handle these matters every week.
The index
Explainers, by date.
Suing a Public Body in Oregon: The 180-Day Tort Claim Notice
Why the Oregon Tort Claims Act deadlines under ORS 30.275 can quietly end a meritorious case before it is ever filed.
Form I-130 Family Petition: Steps, Timeline, What's Next
Who can file USCIS Form I-130, which relatives qualify, how priority dates work, and what follows approval. From an Oregon immigration firm.
What to Expect at a Yamhill County Arraignment
Where to go, what happens, and what not to do at your first appearance at the Yamhill County Circuit Court.
When Is Probate Required in Oregon? A Plain 3-Path Test
Full probate, the ORS 114.515 small-estate affidavit, or no court at all: how asset titling decides which path an Oregon estate takes.
Oregon Expungement: Who Qualifies, What to Expect
A clear walkthrough of ORS 137.225 set-asides: eligibility, waiting periods, the hearing, and the practical effect on background checks.
ORS 31.600: Oregon Comparative Negligence and the 51% Bar
What ORS 31.600 says, how fault percentages cut an Oregon injury recovery, and why 51 percent means zero. Plain answers from a McMinnville firm.
DUII Diversion in Oregon (ORS 813.215): Who Qualifies
ORS 813.215 eligibility rules, the 30-day filing window, the one-year program, and what happens if you fail Oregon DUII diversion.
Refusing the breath test in Oregon: the trade-offs
Implied consent, license consequences, and where good counsel changes outcomes.
After a Yamhill County crash: the first 72 hours
Steps that protect your health and your claim before you ever call an insurer.
What “Measure 11” actually means for your case
A clear breakdown of mandatory minimums in Oregon and the decisions that matter early.