Estate Planning
How Do Testamentary and Living Trusts Differ?
July 22, 2021
Both trusts are important in estate planning. Learn more about how each is different but useful depending on your estate planning needs and goals, which can change throughout a lifetime.
What Happens if I Become Incapacitated or Die During Divorce?
June 17, 2021
Many people fail to prepare for what could happen should they become incapacitated or die during their divorce. Learn how to protect your assets and wishes.
5 Estate Planning Tips for Millennials and Members of Gen Z
May 19, 2021
Thinking about what will happen after you die isn't fun. But legal adults, no matter how young or old, need a basic estate plan.
Why Divorce Is the Best Time To Rethink Your Estate Plan
May 11, 2021
If you're currently going through a divorce in Washington State, you're probably digging through piles of papers looking for bills, statements, and other important documents. During that search, most people, however, forget to revisit their estate planning documents. Learn why you should.
Is it Time for a Legal Checkup?
April 15, 2021
It's important to visit your physician when you notice some change in your health. A medical checkup offers you a chance to discuss issues with your doctor, ask questions, and get professional input on your overall health. Like your annual checkup with your doctor, a regular review of your estate plan with your attorney will help you minimize the risk of future unexpected hardships that might arise from incomplete or outdated documents.
Should I Include My Retirement And Investment Accounts in My Estate Plan?
April 6, 2021
Probate is the court-supervised process of gathering your assets, paying off your debts and taxes, and distributing what's left of your estate to your heirs and beneficiaries. However, that doesn't have to include all assets. Your retirement and investment assets have the potential to bypass probate if located in the type of accounts that can transfer upon death to a designated beneficiary. When considering whether to include your retirement and investment accounts in your estate plan, here's what you need to know.
How Estate Planning Can Prevent Elder Abuse
April 1, 2021
Stanley, 73 years old, recently passed away. He never married or had any children. Stanley lived alone in his home and was self-sufficient until his health began to decline last year. Not wishing to burden his nieces and nephews, Stanley took it upon himself to hire a home health aide to come to his home and care for him. The pandemic restrictions prevented his niece, Cathy, with whom he had always had a close relationship, from visiting him. However, she called often. She even made an effort to see him but was only allowed window visits by the care worker and never provided the opportunity for in-person visits before his death. Cathy had no idea her uncle was being neglected and abused. To prevent a similar scenario from happening to you or someone you love, here's what you should know.
Estate Planning for a Single Parent
March 19, 2021
The percentage of children who live in a single-parent household has increased significantly. While estate planning for single parents is similar to estate planning for families with two parents, you should take special consideration and outline specific provisions in your estate plan if you're a single parent due to death, divorce, or life choice. If you're a single parent, estate planning should become a high priority.
What Happens if a Named Beneficiary in My Will Dies Before Me?
March 5, 2021
Once you have established your estate plan, it is important to ensure it remains sound by revisiting it at regular intervals or at key life events. One important reason is that if you fail to account for the death of someone named as a beneficiary in your will, upon your death, your estate may face significant problems as a result. Here is what can happen.
Are Handwritten Wills Valid?
February 26, 2021
A will can be handwritten (known as a "holographic will") so long as it meets the requirements outlined by the state in which the creator resides. In Washington, any person who is of sound mind and 18 or older may make a last will and testament.