ESTATE PLANNING OVERVIEW

If you have real property, sizable intangible assets, or a child, estate planning is essential to ensure that your assets pass to your desired beneficiaries at death. Estate planning can include the creation of wills, trusts, status of property agreements, durable powers of attorney, and health care directives.

Services include a free consultation and are tailored to each client’s needs.

CODICILS TO WILLS

Codicils can be a great option for making minor changes to wills. A codicil amends an existing will without having to start from scratch and rehaul the entire will.

Individuals: $300 Couples: $350

SIMPLE wills

For estates that involve no minor beneficiaries and are likely to be valued at less than the $2.19 million threshold (2023) for Washington State estate taxes, a simple will may be appropriate. Simple wills designate beneficiaries for your real and personal property and write out any unintended beneficiaries. This service includes drafting a financial durable power of attorney, medical durable power of attorney, health care directive, and final arrangement instructions.

Individuals: $750 Couples: $1300

probate

Probate is a court process for settling estates—ensuring creditors are paid and property is distributed. For persons who died with a will or died intestate (without a will) and have real property or sizable personal property, probate is generally required.

Hourly rate: $300

wills with trusts

For estates that involve minor beneficiaries, the creation of a will with one or more trusts that will take effect upon death may be appropriate. In addition to drafting your will and one testamentary trust, this service includes drafting a financial durable power of attorney, medical durable power of attorney, health care directive, and final arrangement instructions.

Individuals: $950 Couples: $1700

OTHER SERVICES

• Community property and status of property agreements

• Powers of attorney

• Health care directives

• Alternative estate-settling processes