Blog

May 9, 2023

The website Caring.com conducts an annual Wills and Estate Planning Study. The most recent results show that inflation has triggered a renewed awareness in people of the need for estate planning, with one out of every four respondents saying that rising prices have caused them to see a greater need for an estate plan. Even so, 40 percent of respondents also say they won’t consider writing a will or creating a trust until their life is in danger.

April 18, 2023

Being appointed as the executor of an estate is a huge responsibility. You may feel honored to be trusted with this task, but it also comes with a lot of work and legal issues to understand.

March 24, 2023

If you have a child with special needs because of a disability and your child requires assistance from public benefits such as Medicaid or Supplement Security Income (SSI), there are income and asset limitations to qualify for those benefits. The best way to ensure your loved one will continue to qualify for and receive those benefits no matter what happens to you is to set up a special needs trust (SNT).

Feb. 22, 2023

Unexpected events can happen at a moment’s notice. That’s why preparing for any eventuality is crucial in ensuring that your assets and loved ones are protected. A comprehensive business succession plan can offer you peace of mind in knowing that your business is prepared for any outcome well in advance.

Jan. 24, 2023

Creating an estate plan allows you to provide specific instructions about how the management of your property and final affairs upon your death or sudden incapacitation. Without a valid plan in place, you leave the fate of your estate in the hands of the court, which could potentially cost your surviving loved ones a lot of time, money, and stress.

Dec. 29, 2022

When a person dies in Washington State, probate is usually needed to establish the validity of the decedent's will and settle their estate. This may require filing the will in probate court, securing estate assets, paying debts, taxes, and valid creditor claims, and distributing assets to rightful inheritors.

Nov. 28, 2022

There are some common reasons why people handwrite a will or other estate planning documents rather than typing them or having them prepared by an estate planning attorney. They may be wanting to save money. They may be running out of time and attempt to create a will as they are dying.

Oct. 28, 2022

When a loved one dies, it’s left to their family and loved ones to handle their estate. Ideally, they will have left behind a comprehensive estate plan, including a will or trust, that assigns an executor and lays out their wishes for what should be done with their assets.

Sept. 14, 2022

People who divorce don’t always stay single but often remarry. While this may provide some much-needed companionship and comfort to their lives, it can also pose challenges when it comes to estate planning, especially if there are children from the previous marriage.

Aug. 30, 2022

You may be familiar with the acknowledgment required of a last will and testament that the maker is “of sound mind.” It makes sense that someone lacking the mental capacity to make decisions also lacks the legal capacity to do so. Dementia presents many barriers in this regard. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than six million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s. That number is expected to more than double in the next 25 years.