ESTATE PLANNING

Estate planning is the process of preparing for your eventual disability and death.

Estate planning gives your loved ones a roadmap to assist you during your lifetime and manage your affairs after your death. Clear instructions are one of the most important gifts you can leave for your family.

An estate plan saves money, lets you decide how and when to distribute your assets, and allows you to choose who is in control. There is no perfect estate plan, of course, because we don’t know when or how you will die, whether you will be disabled, what the tax laws will be, or the exact size of your estate. Nevertheless, an imperfect plan is far better than having no plan at all.

If you do not have a will, the State of Washington will write one for you. RCW 11.04.015 is the “intestacy statute,” and it provides a default estate plan for people who do not have one. Unfortunately, one size definitely does not fit all. When the state writes your will, it often makes assumptions that are wrong. You cannot choose the personal representative (executor) who will handle your affairs, make gifts to charity, choose guardians for children, or minimize tax liability. If you have children, they would receive their entire share of your assets in a lump sum at age 18—not an outcome most parents would choose. You can avoid these problems with a basic estate plan.

An estate plan normally consists of the following documents. Click on each one to learn more about its purpose.

At no cost or obligation, contact us to schedule a consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney.

During our initial meeting, we will quickly analyze your situation and estimate the cost to proceed with your estate planning. For 90% of our clients, we can offer a flat fee based on the complexity of your plan, so you will know exactly what to expect.

Contact Us

Estate planning is the process of preparing for your eventual disability and death.

Estate planning gives your loved ones a roadmap to assist you during your lifetime and manage your affairs after your death. Clear instructions are one of the most important gifts you can leave for your family.

An estate plan saves money, lets you decide how and when to distribute your assets, and allows you to choose who is in control. There is no perfect estate plan, of course, because we don’t know when or how you will die, whether you will be disabled, what the tax laws will be, or the exact size of your estate. Nevertheless, an imperfect plan is far better than having no plan at all.

If you do not have a will, the State of Washington will write one for you. RCW 11.04.015 is the “intestacy statute,” and it provides a default estate plan for people who do not have one. Unfortunately, one size definitely does not fit all. When the state writes your will, it often makes assumptions that are wrong. You cannot choose the personal representative (executor) who will handle your affairs, make gifts to charity, choose guardians for children, or minimize tax liability. If you have children, they would receive their entire share of your assets in a lump sum at age 18—not an outcome most parents would choose. You can avoid these problems with a basic estate plan.

An estate plan normally consists of the following documents. Click on each one to learn more about its purpose.

At no cost or obligation, contact us to schedule a consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney.

During our initial meeting, we will quickly analyze your situation and estimate the cost to proceed with your estate planning. For 90% of our clients, we can offer a flat fee based on the complexity of your plan, so you will know exactly what to expect.

Contact Us