If you die in Washington without having first made a will, Washington law determines who inherits what portion of your estate. Called intestacy, Sections 11.02.070 and 11.04.250 of the Revised Washington Code distributes your estate by law, regardless of what...
Past posts on this blog highlighted the need to have a well-developed plan to settle your liabilities before or upon your death. Doing so ensures that your personal wealth remains available to pass on to your beneficiaries. Yet many of the prospective clients that...
When a loved one's will goes through probate, you may find its instructions inconsistent with what you previously believed it contained. In fact, the document may sound so incorrect that you wonder if it is real. The probate process allows the debts and distributions...
When making an estate plan, most people automatically think about tangible assets like homes, jewelry, artwork and family heirlooms. When it comes to non-tangible assets, plans surrounding the distribution of these assets to loved ones generally assumes some...
If you have a disabled adult child, you may benefit from including a special needs trust in your overall estate plan. Disbursements from this type of trust cover supplemental expenses while preserving your son’s or daughter’s eligibility for needs-based government...
As you set up arrangements to care for your family in Washington after your death, you may wish to include your pets in these considerations. Including your pets in your will is one way to go about this, but is it feasible? The short answer to the question is yes,...
Estate planning can seem complex, and many people dread the process. However, having a comprehensive estate plan in place can ensure that your living heirs get your assets in a timely manner. Failing to properly estate plan can mean that your assets end up in probate...
Washington residents like you can use your estate plan in many ways. If you own a business, a large portion of this plan will likely end up dedicated to the maintenance of the company. There are many categories for you to cover. They are all focused on successful...
Washington residents like you put time, effort and heart into your estate. You want to preserve it for your loved ones. You want to ensure it passes hands in a smooth and easy way. One of the best ways to guarantee this is by having a good estate personal...
A personal representative has the obligation of finalizing an estate. If you take on this role for a family member or friend, then it is up to you to understand exactly what duties you have, which include how you must handle any outstanding debts. The Washington Times...
