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2024

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Best Estate Planning Lawyers in Seattle, WA

Our Recommended Top 11

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Seattle Estate Planning Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

156Reviewed

98Curated

11Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

751 N 75th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (6)

Why choose this provider?

A small law firm founded in 2007, Phinney Estate Law serves the Seattle and surrounding areas. Founded by Jamie Clausen, they focus on maintaining a values-based, affordable legal practice with a holistic approach that takes each client’s values, emotions, and unique family dynamics into account. The company offers legal services for matters that include estate planning, disability planning, mediation and conflict coaching, guardianship, elder law, probate and trust administration, and more.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jamie Clausen - FounderActive23 yrs

Bellevue, WA 98004

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

A division of Stephen M. Waltar, PS based in Bellevue, the firm Legal Estate Planning, LLC focuses on bringing high-quality planning resources and options to each case’s situation while creating a true relationship with each client. The company provides legal services for matters that include estate planning, legacy planning, trust administration and probate, family-owned farms and businesses, pet planning, and more.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Stephen Waltar - PrincipalActive30 yrs

PO Box 1067 7331 196th Street Sw, Lynnwood, WA 98046

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.9 (30)
Google
4.3 (11)
Yelp
3.7 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Based in Lynwood, Riach Gese Jacobs, PLLC serves Washington communities that include Seattle, Marysville, Bothell, Everett, and beyond. Founded in 1959, they focus on guiding each client through the legal process with experienced lawyers while also serving the community with trust and client-oriented results. The company provides legal services for matters that include elder law, real estate, construction law, business law, estate planning and administration, guardianship, and more. They are rated by AVVO in both Probate and Featured Attorney and hold the AVVO 2015 Clients’ Choice Award in Real Estate.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Michael Jacobs - PartnerActive31 yrs

Seattle, WA 98133

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.9 (150)

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 2012, Gustad Law Group, PLLC is the creation of founder John-Paul Gustad, who has represented over 4,000 clients. They focus on offering personalized service with an attorney that will work on each case from the initial intake process the to the post-resolution process. Representing clients throughout the United States and the Puget Sound area, they hold three locations in Spokane, Tacoma, and Seattle. The company provides legal services for matters that include personal injury, veteran’s administration claims, trusts and estates, and social security disability. They are a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, the National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates, Inc., the National Association of Consumer Advocates, the WSAJ Eagle, and hold the Clients’ Choice Award in 2017 by AVVO.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
John Gustad - PrincipalActive23 yrs

Seattle, WA 98101

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Serving the clients internationally, Foster Law Group hold locations in Seattle and Bainbridge Island. The firm was founded in 2010 by Dorothy K. Foster, who is a certified mediator. The company provides legal services for matters that include estate planning and taxation, specialized referrals, community property, trust and estate administration, international charitable giving, and nonprofit tax-exempt organizations. Dorothy holds an AVVO rating in both Estate Planning and Featured Attorney.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Dorothy Foster - PrincipalActive33 yrs

Seattle, WA 98102

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Findley & Rogers, PLLC focuses on taking the time to learn about and listen to each client to tailor their legal representation for each unique situation. They feature tailored solutions for each client and work very hard to achieve their goals with an open bridge of communication throughout the process. The company provides legal services for matters that include disability planning, LGBT estate planning, and more. They are a member of the Washington State Bar Association.

Lynnwood, WA 98036

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (26)

Why choose this provider?

Hickman Menashe, P.S. is a Lynnwood-based firm with two Principals, Jacob H. Menashe and William S. Hickman. Serving the surrounding areas with over 45 years of experience and focus on taking a holistic approach to each case by emphasizing individualized attention, personalized amenities, and listening to all the details for each client’s unique situation. The company provides legal services for matters that include wills and trusts, estate planning, guardianship, trust administration, long-term care planning, special needs trusts, and more. They are AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Rated, a member of the NAELA, and a member of the Special Needs Alliance.

Edmonds, WA 98020

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (46)
Yelp
5.0 (23)

Why choose this provider?

Located in Edmonds, Sound Estate Planning, PLLC focuses on exceptional service while protecting each client’s legacy, assets, and loved ones with exclusively designed solutions for each unique situation. The company offers legal services for matters that include wills, revocable living trusts, special needs trusts, prenuptial agreements, pet trusts, health care powers of attorney, asset protection planning, and more. They hold a 2016 Five Star Financial Services Professional Award, are a member of WealthCounsel, are a member of the Advisor’s Forum, are a member of the Oregon State Bar, are a member of the Snohomish County Estate Planning Council, are a member of the Washington State Bar Association, and are rated Clients’ Choice in 2015 by AVVO in Estate Planning.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Leonard Hagen - Founding AttorneyActive20 yrs

Kirkland, WA 98033

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (25)

Why choose this provider?

Estate planning attorneys, CMS Law Firm is a Kirkland-based firm serving the Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Greater King County areas. Originally founded in 2009 as a criminal defense law firm, they now focus on estate planning, dedicating their best services to each client and their unique needs, and building a long-lasting relationship with each person that walks into their office. The company provides estate services for legal matters that include wills, trusts, elder law, gifting, charity, generational wealth, and family protection.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Christopher Small - OwnerActive15 yrs

Seattle, WA 98101

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Somers Tamblyn King Isenhour Bleck focuses on working hard to bring the best possible services to guide each client, business, and family toward their goals. They feature teamwork and to plan a course of action with a full understanding of each option and a full understanding of the client’s priorities. They hold two locations, one in downtown Seattle and one on Mercer Island. The company offers legal services for matters that include estate planning, business matters, special needs trust, guardianship, family law, probate and trust administration, and more.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Janet Somers - MemberActive35 yrs

Seattle, WA 98104

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (6)
Google
4.2 (5)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Located in Seattle, Bender Law serves families and individuals throughout the Pierce County, Snohomish County, King County, and Greater Seattle area. They focus on bringing each customer a compassionate understanding of their unique needs to help protect the interests and rights of each client’s loved ones. The company provides legal services for matters that include estate planning, succession planning, entity formation, Medicaid planning, guardianships, family law, tax strategies, and more.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Rachel Bender - PrincipalActive8 yrs

Compare our Top Estate Planning Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Phinney Estate Law
751 N 75th St, Seattle, WA 98103
Legacy Estate Planning, LLC
Bellevue, WA 98004
Riach Gese Jacobs PLLC
PO Box 1067 7331 196th Street Sw, Lynnwood, WA 98046
Gustad Law Group, PLLC
Seattle, WA 98133
Foster Law Group
Seattle, WA 98101
Findley & Rogers, PLLC
Seattle, WA 98102
Hickman Menashe, P.S.
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Sound Estate Planning, PLLC
Edmonds, WA 98020
CMS Law Firm
Kirkland, WA 98033
Somers Tamblyn King Isenhour Bleck Law Firm (STKIB)
Seattle, WA 98101
Bender Law PLLC
Seattle, WA 98104

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What does an estate planning attorney do?

    An estate consists of the total assets that form an individual’s net worth, no matter how large or small. Estate planning attorneys use their in-depth knowledge of state and federal laws to help people best manage what will happen with their estates after they die or become incapacitated. Estate planning attorneys can prepare wills, form trusts, reduce estate tax burdens, and decrease or eliminate the need for probate court.

  • What are valuable estate planning services an attorney can provide?

    With the many intricacies of assets, taxes, and state and federal laws that can affect a person’s estate, an estate planning lawyer can be a valuable professional asset, no matter how large or small a person’s estate may be. An estate planning attorney can:

    • Create a comprehensive plan to protect a client's legacy, that includes a will, power of attorney, trusts, life insurance, and advanced medical directives
    • Optimize an estate plan as tax laws, life events, assets, and goals change over time
    • Protect a client’s loved ones by preventing assets from entering probate
    • Help clients designate a person to make important health decisions for them if they become incapacitated

  • Can estate planning attorneys help create trusts/wills?

    Estate planning attorneys can create trusts and wills. Through a will, an attorney can help a client designate their estate’s beneficiaries and assign an executor to represent the will in probate court. These attorneys can also create trusts, allowing a client to assign a trustee to oversee the estate, potentially avoiding probate court and holding assets to be distributed over time.

  • Is estate planning the same as drafting a will?

    While both estate plans and wills officially document how their owners wish to allocate certain assets after their death, there are key differences. In estate planning, a will is often just one of several documents that form a comprehensive plan. In a will, people must designate a person responsible for executing their will after their death. The will can include guardians for their children when they die and beneficiaries to receive an inheritance of money, property, and other assets.

  • What are the steps involved in estate planning?

    To create a thorough and effective estate plan, individuals should follow these steps:

    • Prepare a will that designates an estate executor; indicate who will receive what assets, and assign a trust and guardians for any children. Consider using an attorney if the will is in any way complex.
    • To avoid probate, have an attorney create a revocable living trust.
    • Assign beneficiaries to other assets, such as life insurance policies, retirement plans, and securities.
    • Use an attorney to prepare a living will, name a health care proxy, and create a HIPAA release form.
    • Update the plan every five years.

  • How long does the estate planning process last?

    The length of the process can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the estate, the specific law office, and whether there’s an emergency or urgent need. If you’re using an attorney, you can generally expect it to take one to five weeks. You may be able to speed up the process by immediately providing your attorney with any bank statements or other documents they need.

  • What is a trust?

    A trust is an agreement between a grantor, a trustee, and a beneficiary. In this agreement, the grantor allocates funds or real property assets to the trustee to be held either until the grantor passes away or until a specific, agreed-upon date. At that point, it's the responsibility of the trustee to distribute funds or property to the beneficiary or beneficiaries. While there are similarities between a will and a trust, a will is a more comprehensive document that typically requires probate court, while a trust allows assets to pass to the beneficiary without probate.