Wills

Putting together a comprehensive estate plan is one of the best gifts you can leave to your family and loved ones. Whether your estate may be simple or complex, attorney Darcel Lobo and assist you in preparing your estate plan to ensure it reflects your intentions and wishes regarding your estate.

We can help you will all aspects of your estate plan, including:

• Wills
• Revocable Living Trusts
• Avoiding Washington State Estate Tax
• Providing for Minors
• Appointing Guardians for minor children
• Power of Attorneys
• Living Wills/POLST Form
• Community Property Agreements
• Directives to Control Remains
• Transfer on Death Deeds

At DAL Law Firm, we want to ensure that you have an estate plan that you understand, reflects your wishes, and will protect the assets that you’ve worked hard to build. Don’t keep waiting to prepare your estate plan or to update an outdated estate plan, text or call our office today at 206-408-8158 or email us at [email protected].

What Are The Legal Requirements For A Will?

1. Capacity: You must be at least 18 years old and have the capacity create a valid will.
2. Intent: You must intend for the document to be their final will and testament.
3. Writing and Signing: The will must be written, signed by you, and witnessed, according to the legal requirements of Washington State.
4. Witnesses: Washington State requires at least two witnesses who are not beneficiaries to attest to the signing of the will.

Benefits of Having a Will:

1. Control Over Asset Distribution: Ensures that your wishes are followed regarding the distribution of your assets.
2. Guardianship of Minor Children: Allows you to designate a trusted person to care for your children.
3. Minimizes Family Disputes: Clear instructions can help prevent disagreements among surviving family members, and can include a “no-contest” clause to disincentivize any disputes.
4. Efficient Estate Settlement: An executor can quickly and efficiently manage the estate, paying debts and distributing assets according to the will.

When Is It Time To Update a Will?

It’s important to review and update a will periodically, especially after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of children, or substantial changes in assets. Updates can be made through codicils (amendments to the will) or by creating a new will altogether.

To learn more about wills, and estate planning overall, you can watch Darcel’s videos here: Estate Planning Videos

Be sure to download our free Estate Planning guide here.