Estate Planning & Probate

In the realm of estate planning, understanding the distinctions between various forms of powers of attorney is essential. Two crucial types that often require distinct considerations are the medical power of attorney (MPOA) and the financial power of attorney (FPOA). While both these designations involve granting decision-making authority to another individual, they operate in distinct...

Estate planning has evolved significantly in recent years, with individuals increasingly focusing on gifting as a key strategy to transfer wealth to their heirs while minimizing tax implications. Gifting techniques have become more sophisticated, and they now require careful consideration to ensure they align with your financial goals and the ever-changing legal landscape. Let’s take a look at...

In the intricate world of estate administration, a personal representative’s responsibility is to ensure the smooth distribution of assets to an estate’s intended beneficiaries. However, what happens when a beneficiary cannot be located? This situation can introduce complexities and legal challenges that require careful navigation. Duty of the Personal Representative A personal...

Image by katemangostar on Freepik When a loved one passes away, the appointment of a personal representative, also known as an executor or administrator, is crucial for managing the decedent’s estate and ensuring that his or her final wishes are carried out. However, there are situations where the personal representative may not fulfill their responsibilities adequately. This can cause...

Losing a loved one is undoubtedly a difficult and emotional experience. In addition to dealing with the grief, there are often legal matters to address, such as opening probate. Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate, ensuring that their debts are paid, and their assets are distributed to the rightful heirs. In this blog post, we will explore when and...

As a business owner, you’ve likely invested significant time, effort, and resources into building and growing your company. While focusing on the present and future success of your business, it’s essential not to overlook the importance of estate planning. By creating a well-thought-out estate plan, you can protect both your personal and business assets, ensure a smooth transition of...

Probate is the legal process of administering an estate after someone passes away. If you are involved in a probate proceedings, you may encounter a number of legal terms that you may not be familiar with. To help avoid confusion, we’ve taken some time to explain a host of probate terms. Please contact us today if you need help navigating the probate process. What are Some Common Probate...

Image by benzoix on Freepik An important part of the estate planning process is to protect your assets and care for your loved ones. Many people have heard that an important step in accomplishing these goals is to avoid probate at all costs. However, the majority of us are simply unaware of why this is true. Let’s take a moment to shed some light on the topic. What is Probate? Washington state...

The law can definitely be a source of confusion. One of the reasons is that there are multiple areas of the law that use seemingly foreign words and phrases. Estate planning is one of these areas. To help avoid some confusion, we’ve taken some type to explain a host of estate planning terms. Please contact a skilled estate planning attorney now to create an estate plan or review an existing...

As with any area of the law, estate planning is the source of several myths and misbeliefs. The unfortunate reality is that these misbeliefs often prevent people from completing an effective estate plan in the first place. Please know, however, that everyone should have a plan in place to protect their wishes, assets, and family. Please contact a skilled estate planning lawyer now if you don’t...