what services do you offer?
I help clients with estate planning. That includes wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives (also known as living wills), trusts, and the documents that help make these things work together. I will also help with other trust and estate issues, like probate or trust administration. If I am not the right lawyer for you, I can suggest others who may fit better.
I also love speaking engagements! If you have a group of people who would like to hear a presentation on estate planning, please contact me. Here is the basis of my presentation:
I also love speaking engagements! If you have a group of people who would like to hear a presentation on estate planning, please contact me. Here is the basis of my presentation:
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what is estate planning?
People own property. Things like bank accounts, securities, 401ks, cars, homes, earrings, books, socks, and pets. These and other types of property form your "estate" and an "estate plan" determines what happens to these things when you die.
Whether you know it or not, you have an estate plan. One way or another, your property goes somewhere once you die. If you haven't set one up yourself, then the state you reside in has set one up for you. An estate plan lets you choose where and how.
But more than this, your lawyer will help you plan for other foreseeable "what if" situations, like if someone else needs to make decisions for your children when you can't, or if you can't make health or property decisions for yourself. You'll also set out your end of life wishes now, so that people aren't guessing later if you are not able to communicate.
Whether you know it or not, you have an estate plan. One way or another, your property goes somewhere once you die. If you haven't set one up yourself, then the state you reside in has set one up for you. An estate plan lets you choose where and how.
But more than this, your lawyer will help you plan for other foreseeable "what if" situations, like if someone else needs to make decisions for your children when you can't, or if you can't make health or property decisions for yourself. You'll also set out your end of life wishes now, so that people aren't guessing later if you are not able to communicate.
I AM STRUGGLING financially. CAN YOU HELP?
Planning is expensive. If you need and cannot afford an estate plan, please contact the KCBA's pro bono program to see if you qualify for their Volunteer Legal Services. I do my pro bono work for VLS clients.
my estate isn't taxable. Do I need an estate Plan?
Let's talk taxes. With the federal estate tax exemption over $13.61M per person in 2024, very few people will have any federal estate tax due. Even in Washington, the state estate tax exemption is $2.193M per person in 2024 - and double that for a married couple with the right type of plan. This number includes the house, the retirement assets, the proceeds of life insurance, etc. So, if you approach the $2.193M number, you'll need a plan that allows for some flexibility for tax savings, just in case.
Now let's forget about taxes for a minute. Most people won't have a taxable issue in the end, even if they need that flexible plan. However - almost all people have an estate that they'd like to direct after their death, and an estate plan is the only way to do that in most cases. If you have minor children when you die, and don't do an estate plan, then, for example, they will get their share of your estate at age 18. Eighteen. EIGHTEEN. It might not be a taxable amount, but if you have two kids and a $500,000 estate, that means your kids will each be able to spend $250,000 on their eighteenth birthday. And that might look like a really nice car instead of the college education you wanted to provide.
And consider that an estate plan also includes durable powers and living wills. Your loved ones will thank you when the documents suddenly become necessary. Most situations where these documents are needed are difficult. Being prepared eases the burden on those who will act on your behalf.
Life happens. Set up your plan, then go and live life with more peace of mind.
Now let's forget about taxes for a minute. Most people won't have a taxable issue in the end, even if they need that flexible plan. However - almost all people have an estate that they'd like to direct after their death, and an estate plan is the only way to do that in most cases. If you have minor children when you die, and don't do an estate plan, then, for example, they will get their share of your estate at age 18. Eighteen. EIGHTEEN. It might not be a taxable amount, but if you have two kids and a $500,000 estate, that means your kids will each be able to spend $250,000 on their eighteenth birthday. And that might look like a really nice car instead of the college education you wanted to provide.
And consider that an estate plan also includes durable powers and living wills. Your loved ones will thank you when the documents suddenly become necessary. Most situations where these documents are needed are difficult. Being prepared eases the burden on those who will act on your behalf.
Life happens. Set up your plan, then go and live life with more peace of mind.
what if i don't have a plan?
Some people say that if you don't have an estate plan, "the state" gets your property when you die. That's not the case. Washington law provides that after your bills are paid, your property, broadly speaking, will go to your spouse or domestic partner, children, grandchildren, or more remote blood relatives, approximately in that order. Importantly, there are no default provisions for trusts for minor children or for beneficiaries with special needs or other circumstances.
If you don't have durable powers in place when you need them, things can get difficult. Your decision makers have to get permission to act, which often means getting a court order. This is time-consuming and expensive. And if you have no living will, your loved ones may need to make difficult decisions about your end-of-life medical care potentially not knowing, or disagreeing about, what you would want.
If you don't have durable powers in place when you need them, things can get difficult. Your decision makers have to get permission to act, which often means getting a court order. This is time-consuming and expensive. And if you have no living will, your loved ones may need to make difficult decisions about your end-of-life medical care potentially not knowing, or disagreeing about, what you would want.
