Estate Planning and Business Law Firm in Washington & Oregon
At Res Nova Law, we help you prepare for the future with clarity and care. Whether you're creating an estate plan or building a business, we guide you through life’s legal decisions—so your family, your legacy, and your work are protected at every step.
What You Don’t Protect Today Could Be Gone Tomorrow
Your family may face delays, stress, and public court battles.
Your children could end up with strangers in protective care.
Your business might stall—or fail—without proper legal structure.
Tax issues and liability risks could erase what you’ve built.
Your business could be hit with lawsuits or stuck in probate.
Loved ones and business partners may be left in conflict or chaos.
At Res Nova Law, we help you close the gaps before they cause damage—protecting your people, your business, and everything you’ve worked for.
Our Simple 3-Step Process
Working with us is easier than you think.
Schedule a Consultation
Tell us what’s on your mind—your goals, your concerns, and the clarity you’re looking for.
Get a Tailored Legal Plan
We design a personalized strategy that reflects your life, values, and long-term vision.
Enjoy Peace of Mind
Move forward confidently—knowing the people, work, and legacy you care about are in good hands.
What’s It Like to Work with Res Nova Law?
At Res Nova Law, you’re not just a client—you’re someone with a story, a legacy, and people who count on you. We take the time to listen, to understand what matters most, and to guide you through planning with compassion and care.
Whether you’re protecting your family’s future or creating a succession plan for your business, our relationship is built on trust—not transactions. We’re here for you, for the long term, with heartfelt counsel that honors your life’s work.
Our Estate Planning Services
We help you create personalized, legally sound plans that protect the people you love and the future you envision.
Wills and Trusts
Build a legacy with documents that reflect your values and make life easier for those you leave behind.
Power of Attorney & Healthcare Directives
Build a legacy with documents that reflect your values and make life easier for those you leave behind.
Kids Protection Planning
Name guardians and put safety nets in place to keep your children secure, supported, and out of court.
Special Needs Planning
Provide lifelong care for a loved one with a disability—without jeopardizing vital benefits or independence.
Trust Administration Support
Start, grow, Navigate your role as trustee with clarity, confidence, and step-by-step legal guidance that honors the intent of the trust.and strengthen your business with solid legal guidance and dependable contracts.
Our Business Legal Services
Every business is unique—and your legal strategy should be too. At Res Nova, we offer comprehensive support tailored to the needs of small and growing businesses.
Business Formation
We help you choose and form the right legal structure—LLC, S-Corp, or otherwise—based on your goals and tax considerations.
Business Contract Review & Drafting
From partnership agreements to service contracts, we make sure your documents are built to protect you.
Ongoing Legal Counsel
Think of us as your on-call legal partner—here to guide you through everyday decisions with clarity and care.
Succession & Exit Planning
Whether you're passing down your business or preparing it for sale, we'll help you plan a transition that protects what you've built.
Business Dissolution
When it’s time to close a chapter, we help you dissolve your business smoothly and responsibly—minimizing liability and stress.
Purchase & Sale Agreements
Buying or selling a business? We’ll draft and negotiate your agreement to reflect your priorities and avoid future risks.
Trusted by Families and Business Across Washington and Oregon
"We are really grateful to Res Nova Law! Susan helped us formulate a plan and the situation turned out so much better than expected. Thank you Susan and Res Nova Law for your support!"
C. Cronin
"We started using Res Nova Law for legal matters surrounding our intellectual property needs, but evolved to use the law firm for all our legal matters. We have had great success with their counsel and can confidently recommend their services for business needing IP or general business-related legal advice. We consistently get very responsive service and are treated as a valued client which is why we keep using them."
T. Cornelius
FAQs
Questions about us or our services?
What’s the difference between a Trust and a Will?
A Will outlines how your assets should be distributed after your death, while a trust takes effect during your lifetime and can help avoid probate. Many estate plans include both to maximize protection and control.
How much does Estate Planning cost?
The cost of estate planning varies based on the complexity of your needs. At Res Nova Law, we offer transparent pricing and solutions tailored to your goals and budget.
Why do I need a Power of Attorney if I have a will?
A Will only takes effect after you pass away. A Power of Attorney ensures someone you trust can make financial or medical decisions on your behalf while you're still alive but unable to act.
What’s Involved in Business Succession Planning?
Succession planning for business owners includes choosing future leadership, transferring ownership, and creating legal and financial strategies to ensure your business continues smoothly without you.
How do I protect my Intellectual Property?
Working with an experienced intellectual property attorney helps you safeguard your brands, creative works, inventions and trade secrets.
Susan Ford
Principal / Attorney
Susan L. Ford is the founder of Res Nova Law, with over 25 years of experience working with individuals and businesses of all sizes. A former shareholder at one of Portland's large
Howard Russell
Of Counsel
Howard Russell has over 30 years of experience in patent and trademark prosecution, both at large law firms and as in-house counsel. Howard's practice is primarily focused on U.S.
Kathryn Pawlick
Of Counsel
Kathryn's practice is focused on assisting business owners with estate planning, entity formation, governance, contract review and drafting, mergers and acquisitions and other busi
Vanessa Cleric
Client Services Director
Vanessa is our Client Services Director and the first point of contact for many of our clients. She is a dedicated professional with over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur
From Our Blog
Why Reviewing Your Trust Regularly Isn't Optional—It's Essential
Many people believe that once they've created a trust, they can simply file it away and forget about it. But just like your health needs regular check-ups, your whole estate plan (including your trust) requires periodic reviews to ensure that it will work for your loved ones and not fail when they need it.