Estate Planning
Three Estate Planning Documents Your Child Should Sign When They Turn 18
August 19, 2021
Your child turning 18 marks the time when you may no longer have access to certain information and may no longer have decision-making authority should your child become critically injured, incapacitated, or fall ill. Learn what 3 documents can help you support your young adult children should something happen.
I’m Young and Healthy. Should I Make Life Insurance a Part of My Estate Plan?
August 5, 2021
One reason to create an estate plan while young is to protect the life insurance payouts you intend to go to specific beneficiaries. Let us help you learn more.
How Do Testamentary and Living Trusts Differ?
July 22, 2021
Both trusts are important in estate planning. Learn more about how each is different but useful depending on your estate planning needs and goals, which can change throughout a lifetime.
A Will Doesn’t Cover Everything: What You Need To Know Before Making End-Of-Life Decisions
July 8, 2021
Learn which decisions about "who gets what" fall outside of a Will and the steps you need to make sure your wishes are preserved.
What Happens if I Become Incapacitated or Die During Divorce?
June 17, 2021
Many people fail to prepare for what could happen should they become incapacitated or die during their divorce. Learn how to protect your assets and wishes.
5 Estate Planning Tips for Millennials and Members of Gen Z
May 19, 2021
Thinking about what will happen after you die isn't fun. But legal adults, no matter how young or old, need a basic estate plan.
Why Divorce Is the Best Time To Rethink Your Estate Plan
May 11, 2021
If you're currently going through a divorce in Washington State, you're probably digging through piles of papers looking for bills, statements, and other important documents. During that search, most people, however, forget to revisit their estate planning documents. Learn why you should.
Is it Time for a Legal Checkup?
April 15, 2021
It's important to visit your physician when you notice some change in your health. A medical checkup offers you a chance to discuss issues with your doctor, ask questions, and get professional input on your overall health. Like your annual checkup with your doctor, a regular review of your estate plan with your attorney will help you minimize the risk of future unexpected hardships that might arise from incomplete or outdated documents.
Should I Include My Retirement And Investment Accounts in My Estate Plan?
April 6, 2021
Probate is the court-supervised process of gathering your assets, paying off your debts and taxes, and distributing what's left of your estate to your heirs and beneficiaries. However, that doesn't have to include all assets. Your retirement and investment assets have the potential to bypass probate if located in the type of accounts that can transfer upon death to a designated beneficiary. When considering whether to include your retirement and investment accounts in your estate plan, here's what you need to know.
How Estate Planning Can Prevent Elder Abuse
April 1, 2021
Stanley, 73 years old, recently passed away. He never married or had any children. Stanley lived alone in his home and was self-sufficient until his health began to decline last year. Not wishing to burden his nieces and nephews, Stanley took it upon himself to hire a home health aide to come to his home and care for him. The pandemic restrictions prevented his niece, Cathy, with whom he had always had a close relationship, from visiting him. However, she called often. She even made an effort to see him but was only allowed window visits by the care worker and never provided the opportunity for in-person visits before his death. Cathy had no idea her uncle was being neglected and abused. To prevent a similar scenario from happening to you or someone you love, here's what you should know.