What Is A Special Needs Trust? There are many types of trusts and each is a different tool used to manage and protect the assets of a trust as laid out by a Grantor so that there is a benefit to beneficiaries. This blog covers the design and uses of a Special Needs Trust What is a Special Needs Trust? A More
5 Things To Know About Community Property Agreements in WA Community property agreements are a tool that you use to help manage your estate. When set up properly, and a probate attorney will help, they serve as powerful tools that spell out what happens to any community property within your estate. In Washington, all assets accumulated by a married couple during their marriage are presumed More
Estate Planning in The Face of COVID-19 Estate Planning has been something we think of for older adults. But, unfortunately, it is a false thought. Estate planning is for anyone who focuses on building wealth. The goal is to control the taxation when your estate passes on to the next family member. In the face of COVID-19 – estate planning becomes essential More
4 Essential Pieces of Your Estate Plan 4 Essential Pieces of Your Estate Plan Many people make the mistake of assuming that they can set up their estate plan with just a will. While a will is an important part of your estate plan, it should not be the only document you use to create your estate plan. Instead, you may need More
3 Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid 3 Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid You want to give your loved ones an inheritance that represents the legacy you are leaving them. Unfortunately, making mistakes when creating your plan can undermine that goal. In some situations, a loved one’s inheritance can actually create more problems than benefits. You can avoid those situations with careful More
Estate Planning Amid COVID-19 As COVID-19 sweeps the globe, it has many people thinking about their mortality and how their families will cope if the unthinkable happens. If those thoughts have been swirling through your mind, you can ease your worries by taking a close look at your estate plan — or creating one if you are not already More
Trial to Clarify Evidence Used in Dismissing TEDRA Petition At the trial court involving the validity of a will, a judge ruled that the decedent’s siblings were the rightful heirs. However, the appeals court (In re the Matter of the Estate Of Cecilia Brost) wants clarification on the evidence the court relied on to make that decision. Stepchildren Filed a TEDRA Petition The Trust More
Do You Have a Retirement Account? How a New Federal Law Could Impact Your Estate Plan On January 1st, 2020, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act officially went into effect. The legislation, which garnered significant bipartisan support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, was signed into law by President Trump last month. The law puts sharp new limits on the use of so-called ‘Stretch More
Washington Appeals Court Disallows the Use of Extrinsic Evidence in Dispute Over a Will On November 4th, 2019, the Court of Appeals, Division I for the State of Washington overturned a trial court’s decision in a dispute over an allegedly ambiguous will. The case—In re Matter of the Estate of Earl M. Holmes—involved a Washington man named Earl Holmes whose will disinherited his relatives. Mr. Holmes Disinherited Relatives—But Failed More
What You Can Learn From Aretha Franklin’s Handwritten Wills Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, passed away after a long battle with health issues in the summer of 2018. Since that time, there have been major questions raised about what will happen with her estate. Initially, it was reported that she died without a will — which raised serious questions about what will happen More