Gene Hackman, Simultaneous Death, and Washington Estate Planning
April 24, 2025
Hear from an experienced Seattle estate planning attorney how a simultaneous death clause could impact your Washington state estate plan.
Probate
Washington Probate: Paying the Decedent’s Debts, Tax Returns, and Distributing the Estate
April 15, 2025
Learn from an experienced Seattle estate planning lawyer what happens if someone dies owing a debt. Does the debt go away when they die? The final article in a three-part series about probate in Washington state.
The Importance of Regular Estate Plan Reviews and Updates
January 9, 2025
Learn from a King County, Washington state estate planning attorney the importance of regular estate plan reviews and updates.
Tax-Efficient Estate Planning: Strategies to Preserve Your Wealth
November 21, 2024
Reducing one’s tax obligations is a significant factor in many financial decisions, including those you make as part of your estate planning. When you get
When You Have No One to Trust for Key Roles in Your Estate Plan
October 17, 2024
A Seattle estate planning attorney can help guide you about who to choose for key roles in your estate plan.
Joint Tenancy vs. Co-Tenancy for Unmarried Couples in Washington
September 19, 2024
A Seattle estate planning attorney can guide unmarried couples who plan on owning real property together in Washington state.
Using Transfer-on-Death Deeds to Avoid Probate in Washington State
August 29, 2024
A Seattle estate planning attorney can guide you on using transfer-on-death deeds to avoid probate in Washington state.
How To Avoid Family Disputes Over Your Property
February 16, 2023
Far too many families end up fighting, or at least experiencing tension, over a family inheritance, but it does not have to be that way. Having counseled families for years, we offer the following advice to help your family avoid fighting over your property — while you are here and after you die.
Washington State Probate: Posting Bond, Securing Assets, and Out of State Property
January 29, 2021
Going through probate is a process with very specific steps and need not be confusing or complicated. After the executor’s appointment, the following will occur: the executor may need to post a bond, assets will need to be marshaled, and there may be ancillary probate for out-of-state property.
Washington State Probate: The first 3 steps
January 22, 2021
The most common misunderstanding I run into in estate planning is that people believe having a will allows them to avoid probate. That is not the case. Having a will requires probate to implement the deceased person’s written intentions. Probate is not the end of the world. In fact, in the State of Washington, probate is a relatively seamless process that an attorney can guide you through.