Serving as an executor means doing a lot of thankless work and possibly damaging your relationship with people involved in the estate. Emotions tend to run high while people deal with grief and when there is valuable property involved. Social consequences and personal...
Seattle Estate And Probate Blog
Can you challenge an estate executor?
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...
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...
Contesting a will: Is it worth it?
Losing a loved one is tragic, and the loss can be compounded by finding out you have been left out of a will or gotten less than you expected from their estate. Under certain circumstances, you can challenge a will in court – but you do need to consider several...
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...
A closer look at fiduciary duties
Estate planning is an important process that offers security for you and your loved ones. Ultimately, only you know what your final wishes are, but you will most likely have to rely on professionals to ensure that they are carried out. Professionals who are placed in...
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...