Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Probate Lawyers in Bellingham

Our Recommended Top 11

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

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

28

Reviewed

21

Curated

11

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
400 North Commercial Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Located in Bellingham, Adelstein, Sharpe & Serka LLP, Attorneys at Law, has been assisting individuals and businesses since 1974. It helps executors and administrators address the various issues associated with probate, such as disputes over will interpretations, distributions, and creditor claims, along with challenges to will validity and allegations of due influence or incapacity. The firm's attorneys have over 130 years of collective legal practice. Founding partner Steven Adelstein is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Steven Adelstein - Founding Partner/Retired50 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
119 N. Commercial Street, Suite 1345, Bellingham, WA 98225
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

John P. Livingston, Attorney At Law, is a private practice that represents individuals and families in Bellingham on cases concerning probate and estate planning. The firm takes care of all aspects of the probate process to effectively handle and distribute assets on behalf of the deceased, working with the executors as well as the beneficiaries of the estate. It also drafts estate planning documents like powers of attorney, trusts, and wills to help clients avoid the probate process. Other areas of practice include real estate and business law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
John Livingston - Principal22 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (6)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
114 W Magnolia St, Bellingham, WA 98225
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Taxes

Why choose this provider?

Legal State of Mind offers the help of estate planning attorneys in Bellingham to clients with probate-related needs. It represents estates against creditors and other parties that make claims against them, and it also deals with the government to file taxes on behalf of decedents and satisfy debts. Legal State of Mind handles situations where wills are contested and validity must be proven as well. Complete estate planning services are available to clients.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Luke Larson - Principal11 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.3 / 5 (6)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
913 7th Street, Anacortes, WA 98221
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Souders Law Group is operated by skilled probate lawyers in Bellingham who offer complete services for probating estates. The firm oversees the distribution of assets to heirs and first works to satisfy any debts or back-taxes necessary to end claims against it. Souders Law Group also handles lawsuits filed against estates and has extensive experience with trust and estate litigation in general. This firm creates wills and trusts and practices elder law as well.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Alan Souders - Principal/Owner28 yrs

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
925 Metcalf Street, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Stiles Law Inc. PS does probate work for clients in the Bellingham metro area. Active since 1951, this firm has over half a century of experience working with executors to settle estates and properly move assets to the heirs. It evaluates claims from creditors and uses the estate's assets to pay valid requests so that property can be passed down with minimal liability. Clients can also uses Stiles Law Inc. PS to create complete estate plans.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Brock Stiles - Principal38 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (33)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2828 Northwest Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

The Elder Law Offices of Meyers, Neubeck & Hulford provides a wide range of legal services for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable adults in Bellingham and the neighboring areas. Among these services that its attorneys provide are estate planning, trust and estate administration, and probate. They assist throughout the probate process, which includes validating wills and administering the estate if there is no will. Other services available are special needs trust assistance, Medicaid application, and Geriatric Care Management.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
David Neubeck - Partner23 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.6 / 5 (14)
Avvo
4.3 / 5 (6)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1313 East Maple Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Why choose this provider?

Limitless Law PLLC is a boutique practice based in Bellingham that was founded by Attorney Emily Rose Mowrey to serves clients in Whatcom County and the neighboring counties. The firm's areas of practice include probate, where Attorney Mowrey has significant experience compassionately guiding executors through the complexities of probate law. Ms. Mowrey's additional services include inventorying the decedent's estate, paying its debts from the estate, and distributing the remaining wealth to the decedent's heirs.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Emily Mowrey - Principal11 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (200)
Google
5.0 / 5 (121)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (58)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
2.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
240 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of Fred H. Valdez LLC offers the services of skilled probate attorneys near Bellingham, who provide clients with assistance and representation as they work to complete the probate process. The firm gathers remaining assets of each estate and communicates with creditors to satisfy debts using whatever finances or possessions remain. It then gives remaining property to the heirs following the instructions left by the decedent in the will. Clients can create wills and estate plans at this firm too.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Fred Valdez - Principal44 yrs

Website
1200 Dupont St., Suite 1-D, Bellingham, WA 98225
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Jamia S. Burns offers legal guidance and representation in matters of probate law to the residents of Bellingham. She assists clients throughout the probate process, including collecting assets, notifying and paying creditors, filing tax returns, paying taxes due, and identifying beneficiaries and heirs so the remainder of the assets can be distributed to them. Burns has been practicing since 2009. She graduated summa cum laude when she earned her Juris Doctor.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jamia Burns - Principal15 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (12)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (2)

Website
606 E Fairhaven Ave, Burlington, WA 98233
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of David Lowell is operated by a probate lawyer near Bellingham who has over 20 years of experience and provides clients with access to a full range of necessary services so that they can settle the estate of a decedent. The firm's attorney, David Lowell, consults executors so they understand the probate process and does the filing work so that necessary documents are turned in on time. The Law Office of David Lowell also drafts wills and trusts.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
David Lowell - Principal31 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Avvo
4.8 / 5 (48)
Google
4.7 / 5 (15)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2319 Elm St., Bellingham, WA 98225
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Cha & Alexander Law Firm, P.S., is an office that advises and represents clients in Bellingham. It handles probate law matters that include will preparation, asset protection, and debts settlement. The firm also works in legal areas such as business law, trust administration, discrimination, and estate planning. Edward S. Alexander, one of the firm's attorneys, focuses on personal injury, real estate, and estate disputes. Since 2013, he has been one of the board of advisors for the Whatcom Civil Rights Project.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (12)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (9)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

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 withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Bellingham, Washington?

    (360) 676-6911 is the non-emergency line for the local police department in Bellingham.

  • How long does probate usually take in Bellingham?

    Most probates in Bellingham could take around six months to a year to settle. However, the length of the probate process may vary depending on various factors, such as the nature and complexity of the estate, the number of beneficiaries or heirs, and disputes linked to the estate. Complex or large estates may take a longer time to process.

  • Can you avoid probate in Bellingham?

    As probate proceedings are not always required in Washington, you can avoid probate in some instances. Probate may not be necessary in Bellingham if the estate has a value of less than $100,000 and there are no liens or unpaid debts on the property. You can also utilize living trusts and assets with beneficiary designations, such as bank accounts, individual retirement accounts, and life insurance policies.

  • Who can inherit in Bellingham if there is no will?

    If a person dies without a will in Bellingham, the close family members can inherit the property. The surviving spouse and the children are often considered first, then the parents, siblings, nephews, nieces, grandparents, and legal descendants. The property may go to the state if no relatives can be found.

  • How can you determine the net value of an estate in Bellingham?

    Generally, a Bellingham probate lawyer can help you determine the net value of an estate by considering the market value of the decedent's assets, such as real estate, investments, vehicles, bank account balances, and equity. Cash, pensions, annuities, antiques, and insurance policies payable to the estate are also taken into consideration.

  • Can you sell a house in probate in Bellingham?

    In some instances, you can sell a house you inherited in Bellingham. You may put the house for sale upon the completion of the probate if you become the legal owner. If there are two or more heirs and they cannot decide who can get the house, they can sell it and divide the proceeds among them.

Related Articles

FeaturedProbate

6 Steps To Hire A Probate Attorney

Follow these steps to hire a probate attorney if you've been named the executor of a will and you need immediate help.