Estate planning is essential to making sure our assets and wishes are protected for the future. An estate planning attorney in Washington helps us create thorough plans that comply with state laws and provide peace of mind for our families and loved ones. By working with a professional in this field, we benefit from guidance on wills, trusts, and powers of attorney tailored specifically to our needs.

We understand that the process can feel overwhelming, but choosing a qualified attorney—preferably one who is a member of the Washington State Bar Association—ensures our estate plans are both legally sound and up to date. Our goal is to make the process clear, manageable, and aligned with our unique circumstances.

Core Estate Planning Services in Washington

Estate planning in Washington requires drafting customized legal documents, appointing fiduciaries, and addressing guardianship and elder issues. We help individuals and families secure their assets and ensure their wishes are carried out through a variety of essential services.

Wills and Trusts

We prepare wills to specify beneficiaries and appoint executors who handle probate. A well-drafted will clarifies asset distribution and can nominate guardians for minor children, which is critical for families.

We offer advice on different types of trusts, such as revocable living trusts, which let clients manage or change terms in their lifetime, and irrevocable trusts, which provide stronger asset protection. Revocable trusts also help avoid probate, offering more privacy and efficiency.

Trusts can serve specific purposes, such as supplemental needs trusts for disabled beneficiaries or spendthrift trusts to limit access for beneficiaries with money management concerns. As trust and estate counsel, we make sure documents comply with Washington law and support long-term goals.

Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives

We draft durable powers of attorney that let someone trusted handle finances or make legal decisions if a client becomes incapacitated. These can be broad or limited in scope, based on individual needs.

Our legal services also include preparing health care directives (living wills) that state preferences for life-sustaining treatments or end-of-life care. This guides family and health care teams if a client is unable to communicate wishes.

Combining these powers of attorney and directives ensures all aspects of a client’s life—financial and medical—are managed according to their instructions, reducing confusion or disputes during critical times.

Guardianship and Elder Law

We assist clients in establishing guardianship for loved ones unable to manage their affairs due to age, disability, or incapacity. This includes representing families in guardianship litigation when decisions are challenged in court, and advising on powers and duties of guardians.

Our elder law services address planning for aging individuals, protecting assets from long-term care expenses, and preventing elder abuse or financial exploitation. Advance planning can minimize future disputes and ensure appropriate decision-makers are involved.

In Washington, we guide clients through requirements and proceedings under local guardianship statutes, while focusing on the least restrictive alternatives to full guardianships.

Estate and Trust Administration

After a death, our team handles probate and non-probate transfers to settle estates according to the decedent’s will or revocable living trust. We assist with inventorying assets, paying debts, and distributing property to beneficiaries.

In trust administration, we advise trustees on complying with fiduciary duties, making distributions, and handling required notices and tax filings. Our attorneys are familiar with Washington trust statutes, uniform laws, and TEDRA (Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act) mediation when conflicts arise.

We help resolve issues quickly to minimize delays, ensuring transparency and legal compliance throughout the estate or trust administration process.

Legal and Financial Considerations for Washington Residents

Estate planning in Washington requires close attention to state-specific laws and tax rules. We need to address both real property transfers and tax consequences for effective management.

Real Estate and Property Inheritance

Washington follows community property principles, which affect how real estate is handled after death. When we inherit property, the distinction between community and separate property determines our rights and responsibilities.

Key points to consider:

• Transfer on Death Deeds: These can help transfer real property outside probate, reducing court involvement.
• Probate: Real estate often triggers probate in Washington, unless the property is part of a trust or transferred through non-probate methods.
• Title Changes: Joint tenancy and community property agreements impact how titles pass to heirs or spouses.

A clear understanding of real estate law helps us avoid unintended disputes and streamlines asset distribution.

Tax Planning and Estate Taxation

Washington imposes a state-level estate tax with a threshold lower than the federal exemption. We need to plan for both state and federal tax exposure, especially for estates with significant real property value.

Tax Type	Exemption (2025)	Rate Range
Federal Estate Tax	$13.61 million	up to 40%
Washington Estate Tax	~$2.193 million	10% – 20%

Considerations:

• Real property values can push estates above state limits, even if they are below the federal exemption.
• Lifetime gifting strategies, trusts, and charitable donations may reduce estate tax burdens.
• Consultation with qualified advisors allows us to leverage applicable deductions and credits in estate law.

Careful tax planning ensures our heirs receive the maximum benefit from our estate.