Stephanie M. Palmblad’s story is one of purpose, passion, and community. As an accomplished estate planning and probate attorney and the founder of Willamette Legacy Law in Salem, Oregon, Stephanie has spent over a decade helping families plan for the future while navigating some of life’s most sensitive challenges.
Having just celebrated the first anniversary of her firm under its new name, Stephanie is reflecting on her journey, her team’s dedication, and the community connections that continue to inspire her work.
Stephanie discovered her love for estate planning during law school in 2011. With an English degree and a natural ability to make complex ideas more accessible, she realized this field would allow her to combine her skills with her passion for helping others.
“Estate planning gives me the opportunity to help people self-educate and feel supported in understanding complex tools,” Stephanie explained. “I really enjoy it. It’s very creative, proactive and forward-thinking.”
Stephanie’s work focuses not just on the technical side of estate planning but also helps with estate administration. Her firm provides personal and emotional support to families who may be dealing with grief or some crisis. “We’re able to lift a little of that stress off their plates as a part of that process,” she said.
What Makes Willamette Legacy Law Unique
When Stephanie launched Willamette Legacy Law, she carried forward a client-first philosophy designed to make legal services more approachable. The firm operates on a flat-fee structure, offering a free initial consultation to ensure clients feel comfortable before committing.
“Lawyers can be very scary for a lot of people,” Stephanie acknowledged. By removing barriers like hourly fees and offering the first meeting at no charge, Willamette Legacy Law creates an environment where people feel safe and empowered to make decisions. “The only thing I ask for is intake forms so that we can really go in and have meaningful conversation from the beginning,” Stephanie said. “I generally spend 60 to 90 minutes with people working through their situation, their finances, what their concerns are, their family and any issues they want to talk through. By the end of that, we’ll be able to nail down a flat fee that will align with what their vision is.” If it seems to be a good fit, and the client decides to move forward, Stephanie said, “I start writing up their documents, and then by the next time we sit down, if all goes well, they’ll be looking over those documents at the next meeting.”
Clients range from young adults drafting their first power of attorney forms to high-net-worth individuals seeking complex tax strategies. But for Stephanie, the ideal client isn’t defined by their financial situation. “The most important component is that they’re ready to put a plan in place, and they’re ready to listen, and they’re engaged,” she said. In addition, one of the things that Stephanie thinks is very important for people to know is Willamette Legacy Law gives clients a year to make changes to their documents. “It just gives people peace of mind, and that’s really the heart of it, is making people feel comfortable and safe,” Stephanie emphasized.
A Compassionate Team Centered on Care
At the heart of Willamette Legacy Law is a team of six dedicated professionals who share Stephanie’s commitment to put client care first. From paralegals to attorneys, every team member is selected not just for their skills but for their passion for serving others.
“You can’t train for a passion for customer service and client care,” Stephanie said. “I’m really fortunate that the people who have joined the team are incredible with that. They are genuine, warm, caring people who just want to do great work and take good care of people.”
Roller Derby Connection Grows Team
Stephanie’s story is full of delightful surprises, including her involvement in roller derby. She’s not only served as the attorney for Cherry City Roller Derby but has also skated with the team.
Her roller derby connection even played a role in building her team. In April 2023, Stephanie realized that she really need help, “and like magic on my website, someone submitted application materials for a role as an attorney, and I had no job posts live,” she said. One of the reasons the young woman was really intrigued by Stephanie’s law firm was because of Stephanie’s involvement in roller derby. “She mentioned that seeing my roller derby involvement made her feel like this would be a supportive environment,” Stephanie shared. That attorney, Emily Palmer, is now a valued team member.
(Photo Credit: Holly Woods)
Impact in the Local Community and Beyond
Stephanie’s impact extends far beyond the office. As Vice Chair of the Gilbert House Board of Directors, she helps guide one of Salem’s cherished local institutions. She’s also an active participant in Chamber Business Women, Oregon Women Lawyers, and the Willamette Valley Estate Planning Council.
Representing the voice of Oregonians outside of Oregon, Stephanie is one of the Oregon’s State Bar delegates to the American Bar Association. “It’s been a joy. It’s been eye-opening. I go twice a year. We do a mid-year meeting and an annual meeting. I tend to really have my eyes on my local community, and it helps me lift my eyes and hear what’s happening in our nationwide community and our global community,” she said.
Personal Goals and Looking Ahead
Stephanie’s personal life reflects her drive and determination. A dedicated runner, she completed her first marathon in 2024 and will be tackling her first 50K in 2025. These personal goals mirror the forward-thinking approach she brings to her clients and community.
Looking ahead, Stephanie plans to continue expanding her services and refining follow-up processes to ensure clients stay engaged with their estate plans. When asked how often she recommends someone look at their estate plan, Stephanie replied, “I like to see people about every two or three years, and I don’t charge anything for those check ins. I just like to keep an eye on things, like a well-child checkup for your trust. We just want to make sure everything is doing what we expect it to be doing, and that there’s no problems cropping up. And that way, if there’s changes in law or things like that, we could catch them” As part of the process, Stephanie is excited about launching a postcard system to remind clients to revisit their plans when the time comes.
Stephanie M. Palmblad and her team at Willamette Legacy Law represent the best of what Salem has to offer: a commitment to the local community, a passion for service, and a deep care for the people they work with. Whether you’re starting your first estate plan or revisiting one you’ve had for years, Stephanie and her team are ready to guide you every step of the way.
(Photo Credit: Photos from Willamette Legacy Law website and social media, unless otherwise noted)
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