You might disagree with the appointment of someone to execute a deceased family member’s estate. You might not like the chosen person, or you may think they are the wrong person for the job. That does not mean you can challenge them. Most people think carefully about...
Estate Planning
3 risks you take by trying to create your own estate plan
Procrastination is one of the biggest mistakes people make about estate planning. They come up with excuses about why they haven't made an estate plan yet, and they invest more time in defending those excuses than they do in protecting themselves and their families...
End-of-year estate planning to-do list for Seattle residents
For many, the end of the year is a time for reflection and taking steps to start the new year in the best possible position. That is why so many people make New Year’s resolutions, essentially due to their inner reflections. Some of the matters people reflect on...
Refining your estate plan: 3 tips for 2022
As a new tax year arrives, it’s a good time to look at refining your estate plan. Policy changes often start at the beginning of a new year, and you may have changes in your life that could influence if your estate is or is not taxed. On top of that, you may want to...
3 common causes of will-related disputes
It is not unusual for disputes to arise whenever a loved one passes on. One of the major causes of disputes is usually related to how the decedent’s properties are divided amongst their heirs. Fortunately, a sound estate plan can go a long way in minimizing most...
How do I protect my estate plan from disputes?
When you create an estate plan, you hope it contains your desires for your assets and properties when you are incapacitated or when you pass on. Chances are you and your Washington estate planning professional spent countless hours creating a document that reflects...
2 major events that should trigger an update of your estate plan
Planning ahead to ensure that your wishes are known and will be honored should something happen to you is always fulfilling. This is where an estate plan comes in. However, an estate plan is not a document that you “create and forget.” Certain life events may require...
Do you think you’re too young for an estate plan?
You know that you will need an estate plan eventually. Like most Americans, though, you haven’t made that plan yet. It’s something you want to do in the future. Your reasoning is simple: You’re in your 30s, you have only been married for a few years, your child is...
3 ways to avoid conflict over your estate
The death of a loved one can cause various reactions among loved ones. Tensions can often be high, and people frequently seek ways to vent their frustrations. Arguments over a final estate are just one way that conflicts can manifest themselves. Fortunately, there...
How do you divide heirloom jewelry in an estate?
You’ve got a few lovely pieces of jewelry in your family -- some of which you purchased yourself and some of which you inherited. As you start to think ahead to your own estate plan, you’re concerned about how to divide the items fairly among your own heirs. Here are...