206-678-0117
Right out of the gate, the resounding answer to this question is EVERYONE above the age of 18 needs an estate plan. And thus, Yes!! YOU NEED AN ESTATE PLAN. The only person who does not need an estate plan is immortal. And I would make an argument that even an immortal should have an estate plan as how else will they transfer their amassed wealth … [Read more...]
Pet Trusts in Estate Planning: Caring for Your Furry Family When You Are Gone
The law treats our fur family as property - so you cannot leave anything to your pet because according to the state they are themselves personal property. As a result, in order to make sure someone is legally obligated to take care of your furry family members after you die you need to work with an experienced estate planning attorney to create a … [Read more...]
Estate Planning For Your Special Needs Child in Washington
Planning for your special needs child can be very confusing. There are multiple different types of trusts and accounts that can be set up for an adult or child with disabilities while you are alive and well, and they all have different names, and different legal terms and conditions for how to access and where the money goes if something happens … [Read more...]
Benefits of Working With An Estate Planning Attorney Vs. Doing It Yourself (DIY) Online
It may seem cheap, quick and easy to get your estate plan done using an online do-it-yourself legal document creation service. But the downside of these DIY services is that there is NO ONE to guide you and guarantee that you have accurate, complete or even semi-functional legal estate documents in place. (Which means what you print may not even … [Read more...]
How to Appoint Long and Short Term Guardians For Your Children
Most parents of young children think - “I need a will so that I can tell the state who should parent my children if I die.” But a guardian nomination in a will can only do part of the job, as it does not actually appoint parental substitutes to act in case of emergency. Here I will explain what you need to do to ensure you have appointed long … [Read more...]
The difference between a Will and a Living Trust
What is the difference between a Will and Trust? And why do I need one or the other? This is the most frequently asked question I get from clients and potential clients. The short answer is - you need both, because they do two different things for a comprehensive estate plan. Wills: Your Last Testimony A will (i.e. a Last Will and … [Read more...]
How To Involve Your Family In Your Estate Plan
When deciding your estate plan, there are many things you have to think about. Choosing the right plan, executing and organizing the documents, and meeting with your attorney are all part of the job of planning what will happen to your estate. But one thing that is integral to the process is often the one reason you want to plan in the first place: … [Read more...]
Should I Have A Will Or A Trust In My Estate Plan?
There are many different ways to prepare for your future with your estate planning attorney. There are many different types of documents, plans, and decisions that you have to make when deciding how you want to distribute your estate. When looking at the options and deciding what estate plan is best for your situation, you may find yourself … [Read more...]