The true advantage of estate planning is the power it gives people to retain control over many aspects of life. It allows you to preserve your assets, provide for your family and control your healthcare through all stages of life and health. In medical matters, most...
Seattle Estate And Probate Blog
Are there risks to contesting a Washington will?
After a loved one has passed on, you most likely want to honor their wishes, including how they wanted their property and assets to be distributed. However, sometimes the only way to fulfill their legacy may involve challenging their will. Maybe one of the...
Red flags that an estate dispute may be coming
Ideally, an estate will be distributed to the heirs without any sort of conflict among them. They will all simply follow the instructions in the estate plan and things will go as intended. However, this does not always happen, and estate disputes – particularly among...
Who needs access to your advance directive for health care?
An advance directive for health care is one of the most important elements in your estate plan. Even if you don’t have a will in place yet, it’s wise to draw up this advance directive to “speak” for you if you can’t speak for yourself. An advance directive lets...
Understanding inheritance theft
Inheritance theft isn’t something anyone wants to think someone in their family is capable of. Unfortunately, however, inheritance theft does occur. A family doesn’t have to be especially wealthy to experience inheritance theft. It occurs with estates of all sizes....
Can you disinherit immediate family members in Washington?
There is a prevalent cultural expectation that people will leave their most valuable assets for family members when they die. This belief is so strong that state law even reinforces it with intestate succession laws. Spouses and children have legally protected rights...
Does your will reflect your current family dynamic?
There are numerous reasons to create a will and other estate planning documents, but none are more important than your family. You want to make sure that your assets go to the right people upon your death. Thus, it’s important to ensure that your will reflects your...
What should every estate plan include?
Estate plans are complicated legal documents that include many considerations. Planning your estate shouldn’t be difficult, however. If you’re looking to plan your estate, you may find it easier after knowing what to include. Here’s what you should know: Wills and...
Why are some wills contested?
A will is an invaluable part of any estate plan. As you’ve worked so hard for your savings and assets, you want to be assured that they go to the right people if something happens to you. A will can offer you this reassurance. Of course, this only goes to plan if the...
What’s the difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts?
A trust is a powerful estate planning tool if you are interested in safeguarding your future and loved ones. Done right, a trust can save time, reduce unnecessary paperwork and ensure that your assets pass down to your intended beneficiaries. However, not all trusts...