Money and Assets
What Happens to Your Debts When You Die?
July 18, 2024
An experienced Seattle estate planning attorney can provide understanding about what happens to debts after you die.
Does Washington State Recognize Common Law Marriage?
November 30, 2023
If you and your partner reside in Washington state and are unmarried, you each might qualify for the legal protections availed to you by law by classifying your relationship as a committed intimate relationship.
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.
How Does Social Security Work for Divorced Couples in Washington State?
June 29, 2023
Despite being divorced, you may still be able to collect social security benefits through your ex-spouse. Even if you went through a high-conflict divorce or are not on good terms with your ex-spouse currently, they cannot stop you from collecting these benefits if you are eligible. Likewise, your ex-spouse does not need to permit you to apply for social security benefits or have previously completed an application themselves.
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.
Fights Over Fido: Who Keeps the Pet After Divorce in Washington State?
June 1, 2023
When parents go through a divorce, child custody can be one of the hardest issues to deal with. But increasingly in American households, pets are part of the family, and separating can create similar concerns over who gets the family pet.
Secure Your Vision: 5 Estate Planning Tips for Seattle Entrepreneurs
May 18, 2023
How To Avoid Family Disputes Over Your Property
February 16, 2023
Far too many families end up fighting, or at least experiencing tension, over a family inheritance, but it does not have to be that way. Having counseled families for years, we offer the following advice to help your family avoid fighting over your property — while you are here and after you die.