Your estate plan consists of a large part of end-of-life planning. But you are not done with it after you finish writing it. In fact, you should frequently revisit your estate plan to ensure that it still matches your current life situations and desires. But when...
Upon your death, your personal representative files your will with the probate court so that your assets transfer to your intended beneficiaries. If you create a valid will, Washington State law requires it to go through the probate process within 40 days after your...
As a Washington resident, you have invested time and effort into your estate during your life. You have spent time crafting a good estate plan that will ensure proper handling of your estate after your death. But what about your living relatives? Should you talk to...
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...
As the parent of a child with special needs, your financial responsibility will likely continue after you are gone. Fortunately, government programs and long-term care planning options can help you provide for your child for his or her entire life. Here are three...
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,...
