Five Things You Need To Do To Provide For A Surviving Spouse February 14, 2018 Many people think that estate planning consists largely of drafting documents and keeping them in safe places. Attorneys do spend the lion’s share of their time on such important matters, because these documents are your only voice once you die. But there’s also a very practical component to the work we do. Hopefully, this post More
How To Keep Your Family Business In The Family February 1, 2018 Most people spend years building up a family-owned business, largely because they want to have something tangible to pass on to their children. In addition to a solid financial foundation, succession plans must also include a solid legal foundation. Here are some ways to develop just such a plan. Set Clear Goals and Objectives Typically, More
Why A Washington Attorney Should Do Your Will January 22, 2018 Most people either do not have a will or have outdated wills that do not meet their current needs. Some people have the opposite problem. They may have drawn up wills when they first got married, forgot about them, and then made other wills later in life. This issue often creates protracted and expensive probate More
Some End-Of-Life Documents Washingtonians Need Now January 14, 2018 No one likes thinking about death, but unless some decisions are made before that time, emotion could get in the way of what you want to happen. Even worse, the state or a strange doctor could make important decisions instead of your family. Some of the documents we offer have immediate benefits as well. Many More
Four Types Of Living Trusts In Washington January 4, 2018 Trusts are some of the most important, and easiest to use, estate planning documents in Renton. These flexible instruments can take effect while the grantor (person who creates the trust) is still alive, or they can be part of a will. Trusts often offer significant tax advantages as well, and they often shield assets from More
Tax Reform Legislation Moves Forward in Congress, Including Major Estate Tax Changes December 25, 2017 By a vote of 51-49, the Republican majority in the United States Senate passed an overhaul of the federal tax code. The U.S. House of Representatives already passed its own version of “tax reform.” With the Senate advancing its own version of the legislation, the chances of sweeping tax reform becoming law have increased dramatically. More
Taking the Necessary Steps to Ensure a Smooth Transition to Long-Term Care December 15, 2017 One of the biggest fears older Americans have is becoming a “burden” on their loved ones later in life. They do not want to place financial strain on their children, siblings, or other relatives. This is why it is so important to have a plan in place for long term care before you actually need More
Four Important Tips You Need to Follow to Minimize the Risk of an Estate Dispute December 5, 2017 A major concern for many people is that their loved ones will get embroiled in time-consuming, and costly, litigation after they pass away. This is why it is important to take certain steps before you pass on to ensure your estate is not the subject of a lawsuit. Tip No. 1 – Compile an Exhaustive More
Overview of the Washington Estate Tax November 25, 2017 You may have heard about the estate tax on big news networks and the possibility that this tax would be repealed by Congress. However, it is important to understand that there are two estate taxes – a federal estate tax and a state estate tax. This means a repeal of the federal estate tax would More
Passing On Treasured Family History and Heirlooms November 18, 2017 In estate planning, there is an emphasis on financial assets, home property, and power of attorney. However, there needs to be an emphasis on effectively passing on family heirlooms. In fact, many disputes concerning an estate do not center on financially-valuable items, but rather treasured family possessions. Think of it this way: money can be More