Estate Planning
Planning for your ideal future
There is a common misconception that an estate plan is only necessary for individuals with substantial assets. The reality is that an estate plan can benefit virtually everyone. From identifying your final wishes to protecting your rights if you become incapacitated, the right estate plan could be essential to protecting your future interests.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Developing a plan for your family’s future
One of our experienced estate planning attorneys can advise you on the benefits of estate planning and help you develop a plan that fits your unique needs. This process could not only protect your rights, but also give you peace of mind. Let our estate planning lawyers assist you with this process from start to finish.
If you are just starting to explore estate planning, our webinar, “You Need A Plan,” might be a helpful resource. Register to watch.
PROVIDING PEACE OF MIND
Your Wishes
Creating your estate plan is so much more than just having a set of documents drafted. Our professional estate planning attorneys will work with you to identify your wishes for your assets, healthcare, and remains. A well-thought-out estate plan is a gift to your family that can help protect your assets through generational transfer and give you peace of mind.
EDUCATING & PLANNING
Adult Children
Your young, healthy adult children need an estate plan. Hear me out. If your child were to become incapacitated, would you have access to their hospital information, would you be able to make decisions, would you know what they want done? Once your child reaches 18 years of age, they are considered a legal adult. Our estate planning attorneys can work with your newly minted adult and help ensure their wishes and possible wealth are protected.
DISTRIBUTING THE ESTATE
Probate
You have likely heard the term probate, but if you have never dealt with an estate, you may not understand what it is and whether or not it is something you should try to avoid for your family.
In the simplest possible terms, probate is the court process of distributing the estate of the deceased. If a will exists, the probate process confirms the will is valid and allows the executor to take action to follow the wishes the decedent outlined in it. If there is no will, the law will be applied to determine how the estate and affairs should be handled, and the court will appoint an executor.
Unlike many states, Washington has a reasonably easy probate process. Washington’s probate process is streamlined and efficient. Depending on your circumstances, it may not be worth trying to avoid. It is best to talk with one of our experienced estate planning attorneys to understand the complexity of your assets and your wishes to determine your best course of action.
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FURTHER READING
Blog Posts
An experienced Seattle estate planning attorney can provide understanding about what happens to debts after you die.
A Seattle estate planning attorney can provide strategies for having a productive family meeting about estate planning.
A Seattle estate planning attorney can help you draft a mental health advance care directive as part of your estate plan.
If you are an unmarried couple, a Seattle family law attorney can help you protect your partner through the use of wills and trusts.
An estate planning attorney can help you draft a will or designate some of your property as non-probate assets by creating various trusts.
Many people delay estate planning because facing sickness and death can be uncomfortable. However, preparation is necessary to have your wishes honored as you intend. With this in mind, consider the following suggestions to stay focused on these estate planning goals.
Probate in Washington state is relatively straightforward, especially with the guidance of a Seattle estate planning attorney at your side. Here is what you need to know.
Everyone who has anyone in their life needs an estate plan, even people who own little or no property.
A common question about legal fees is why they are so high. The following article details what is built into legal fees and explains their cost.
Gifting an estate plan is an act of love because an estate plan goes far beyond material possessions, addressing the emotional, practical, and long-term well-being of your loved ones.
Given the importance of the trustee’s role in an estate plan, it is necessary to understand the responsibilities before choosing a trustee or accepting the obligation to become one.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your family is to build an estate plan while you are alive and well. Estate planning allows you to formally communicate your wishes so they will not be up for interpretation by…
A co-executor can help facilitate the distribution of assets, minimize conflicts, and provide much-needed support to grieving families.
Washington state’s laws on non-marital relationships, including committed intimate relationships (CIRs), can be convoluted, especially in the absence of a cohabitation agreement. Given the ambiguity that exists for unmarried partners in Washington state, thinking about the future and what it could look like is more important than ever. This is especially true in terms of aging, incapacity, and death. Fortunately, you can address each of these issues in a comprehensive estate plan.
Family law and estate planning often intersect. This is particularly true when contemplating divorce, remarriage, or blending families.