Estate Planning
Why Are Legal Fees So High?
March 7, 2024
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.
Why Gifting an Estate Plan Is an Act of Love
February 22, 2024
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.
What Does It Mean to Be a Trustee in an Estate Plan?
December 14, 2023
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.
Trust, Estate, and Probate Services: The Basics
November 16, 2023
Advantages of Having Co-Executors for Your Will
November 9, 2023
A co-executor can help facilitate the distribution of assets, minimize conflicts, and provide much-needed support to grieving families.
How Does Estate Planning Work for Committed Intimate Relationships?
October 12, 2023
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.
How Family Law and Estate Planning Intersect
September 7, 2023
Family law and estate planning often intersect. This is particularly true when contemplating divorce, remarriage, or blending families.
What Is a Living Inheritance?
July 27, 2023
If you have a significant amount of money saved, you might be considering giving some of it away while you are still alive via what is known in estate planning jargon as a living inheritance. Depending on your desires, you can give your beneficiaries a portion of or all of the inheritance you intend to give them.
How to Include Pets in Your Estate Plan in Washington State
July 13, 2023
Estate planning is commonly associated with preparing for asset distribution and financial management in the event of the estate plan owner’s incapacitation or death. However, an estate plan can protect more than just people and what they have worked so hard during their lifetimes to build. A carefully crafted Washington state estate plan can also protect pets.
Can Estranged Family Members Contest My Will in Washington State?
June 15, 2023
If you live in Washington State and have an estranged family member, are you worried about them contesting your will after you die? Well, don’t worry quite yet. There are a variety of criteria an individual must meet to contest a will in the state of Washington. Depending on your situation, there might also be measures you can take as you revisit your existing estate plan or create a new one to cause them to think twice about doing so. Here is what you need to know about whether an estranged family member can contest a will in Washington state.