Most of our readers in Washington are familiar with wills, trusts and power of attorney documents. However, one important document can sometimes be overlooked: a health care directive. Health care directive basics Perhaps another term for health care directive – a...
Serving South King County and the Surrounding Areas.
Estate Planning
Know the rules and importance of witnesses when writing a will
People in Washington State who understand the importance of having a will and take the time to write one do not want to make mistakes that could cause problems for their loved ones. However, when writing a will, it goes beyond simply deciding how property will be...
What is the Washington estate tax?
You have the right to transfer property upon your death, but if your estate is over a certain value, the government imposes a tax on that right. This is known as the estate tax, and it is widely misunderstood. Both the federal government and the State of Washington...
The importance of updating your will
Drafting a will and ensuring its validity is essential to the estate planning process. With a valid will in place, you can rest assured that your loved ones will receive the assets you want them to have following your death. Many people think that once they have...
Is a trust right for your estate plan?
Getting your estate plan in order can be a daunting task. Even if you already have one in place, life events give cause to revisit your plan to make necessary updates. Whether it is a marriage, divorce, birth of a child or a significant inheritance or increase in...
Revocable living trusts in estate planning
When Washington residents think about estate planning options, many think the easiest step is to create a will. Often, this is the wise choice. However, there are alternatives that might be better for their situation. Knowing about them while assessing their assets...
Getting your estate plan done right the first time
Many Washington residents probably made New Year’s resolutions in recent weeks. And, for some, a resolution for 2024 might be to finally get their estate plan drafted and executed. That is a good goal to have – most people put off estate planning for far too long....
What happens if my spouse is not included in my will?
Starting estate planning early is a good idea. You are never too young to set up an estate plan. However, sometimes people set up their estate plans when they are single and not planning on getting married anytime soon. They may leave their property to parents,...
Is a trust the right option for your estate plan?
When Washington residents approach estate planning for the first time, they usually have a set of goals in mind for what they would like to achieve. For many people, the goal is simply to have a plan in place that ensures the seamless transition of assets to their...
Determining the type of trust to add to your estate plan
When you hear the term estate plan, many thoughts likely run through your mind. For some, this is simply thinking that you are too young to even consider an estate plan. And for others, they might automatically think of a will and what assets and property are passed...