One of the first responsibilities after being appointed as personal representative in a Washington probate is providing notice. This step often causes stress because it involves deadlines, legal language, and the fear of “doing it wrong.” Two key pieces of this...
If you are handling probate in Washington, you may hear the term “Letters Testamentary” early on and wonder what they actually are — and why everyone seems to need them. Despite the formal name, Letters Testamentary are simply a key tool that allows you to do your job...
Many people create a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare as part of their estate plan, but are not entirely sure when it actually comes into play. A common question we hear is: Does this document give someone control over my medical decisions right away?...
Many people create a revocable living trust for one major reason—avoiding probate. A trust can also provide privacy and smoother administration, but probate avoidance is usually at the top of the list. For a trust to accomplish that goal, it must actually own the...
One of the most common questions I receive is: “Do we have estate taxes or inheritance taxes in Washington State — and when do they apply?” If you live in Washington and want clarity on how estate taxes work, you’re in the right place. Below is a simple explanation to...
A Revocable Living Trust is a legal tool that lets you decide what happens to your assets—like your home, bank accounts, or other property—both during your lifetime and after you pass away. Here’s why you may to consider having one. Avoiding Probate Probate is the...
When you create an estate plan, you are making some of the most important decisions for your family’s future. You are choosing who will receive your assets, who will be in charge of carrying out your wishes, and how everything should be handled when you are no longer...
It’s easy to put off creating an estate plan. Maybe you think you’re too young, you don’t have “enough” to leave behind, or you simply don’t want to think about it. But the truth is, if you pass away without a will or trust in Washington State, your loved ones could...
The short answer? Your debt doesn’t automatically disappear—but it doesn’t get passed to your family either (in most cases). Here’s how it really works. Debts Don’t Die—But People Don’t Inherit Them When you pass away, your debts are generally paid from your...
Creating an estate plan is a big step—but it’s not always a “set it and forget it” kind of thing. Life changes, and your estate plan should change with it. So, how often should you update it? A good rule of thumb is to review your documents every 3 to 5 years. But...
