Best Estate Planning Attorneys in Seattle

FAQs

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

  For non-emergency concerns in Seattle, call the local police at (206) 625-5011. You can also call the City's Customer Service Bureau at (206) 684-2489 to ask for assistance during normal business hours.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Seattle, Washington?

  To obtain a copy of police reports related to incidents in Seattle, visit the Records Request Center website at https://spd-seattle.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(oikx5gbluxvb5nfiq0d13lng))/RequestSelect.aspx?sSessionID=2072283310OXCUCCNZJGOQTSUWQBAZDVXUUMXLCD&cat=6. Once you have created an account, you can submit an online request for a copy of a police report. From the website, you can also make payments, download records, and track any pending requests.

• Can Seattle residents draft their own estate plan?

  There are no laws in Seattle prohibiting individuals from drafting their own estate plans, including wills, healthcare directives, or durable powers of attorney. Nevertheless, these legal documents are best planned with estate planning attorneys, who are well-versed in an estate plan's essential elements. They can also reduce the ambiguity in these documents to ensure that one's interests are protected.

• What are Seattle's requirements for a valid will?

  Seattle, which follows Washington state laws, requires that a will must be signed by the testator in the presence of at least two witnesses. These witnesses should likewise sign the will on the same day the testator affixed their signature on the document. Without these two requirements, a will is rendered inadmissible in probate.

• What happens to one's estate in Seattle if they pass away without a will?

  When a person in Seattle passes away without a last will and testament on record, their estate will be distributed following Washington's intestacy laws. Under these laws, the decedent's spouse and children have priority to receive the net estate. If the deceased did not have a spouse or children, the next in the hierarchy would be their parents followed by their grandparents.

• How often should one update their estate plan in Seattle?

  Seattle does not have laws regarding how frequently one should update their estate plan. That said, an estate planning attorney can advise you to go over your last will and testament when significant changes in your family or financial circumstances have occurred. It also makes good sense to update your estate plans when tax reforms have been introduced.

• Is filing for estate tax returns required in Seattle?

  Seattle imposes estate taxes, and filing estate tax returns is a must if the gross value of a deceased resident's property is more than the filing threshold. Taxes are also levied against the estate of non-residents if they own real estate or tangible personal property within Washington at the time of their death.

• 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.

• How does a trust fund work?

  When opening a trust fund, a grantor allocates a trustee to oversee and manage assets in the account. This trustee can sometimes be a relative, an estate lawyer, or a bank that acts as the legal owner of the trust. While holding assets, the trustee is required to file taxes on trust assets.

• How does a living trust work?

  A living trust enables a grantor to manage their assets through a trustee while still alive. They can continually add funds and/or property to their trust fund by transferring them to the trustee, who accepts ownership of everything held in the fund. The grantor can name a beneficiary for their trust, and their assets will be automatically transferred to that person or establishment upon their death.

• Do I need a lawyer for a will?

  No, a lawyer is not required to draft or complete a will. However, there are some scenarios in which hiring an estate lawyer to assist with a will is a good idea, including when children or high-value assets are involved. Additionally, an estate lawyer can help to reduce probate fees and taxes paid by loved ones after a person dies. It's also best to work with a professional to ensure that the will addresses everything necessary, such as funeral plans, guardianship, and asset distribution.

• Can you have both a will and a living trust?

  Yes, and individuals who have a living trust should also have a will. While a living trust enables a person to leave funds and assets to a loved one when they're gone, a will is required to cover any assets that aren't included in the trust, such as guardianship of dependents, funeral plans, and forgiveness of outstanding debts, if applicable.

• How much does it cost to set up a trust?

  The cost of setting up a trust varies quite a bit depending on a variety of factors, including terms that are in place, special provisions for minor beneficiaries, and trustees' basic fees. In most cases, the minimum cost of setting up a trust is about $1,500, but depending on the factors mentioned above, this cost can increase by thousands of dollars.