Probate Attorney Blog

This one’s going to be short but packed with thought provoking material. So buckle up! I’m in Spokane at the boys state basketball tournament so I’ve had A LOT of time to think. :) One of the things people always want to know, or would like guidance on, is distribution schedule. Here’s the super short version (and, spoiler alert – frameworks coming up, not rules!). First, you should always start with your own family values and philosophies. If you think…

I thought I’d write about why estate plans are so long this week because I’ve had a few clients ask about it. The question is something like “our stuff is so simple – do we really need all of this?” And that’s a great question. And here’s the answer. 1. We’re trying to be clear. It’s important to remember your plan is going to be used AFTER you are gone and can no longer provide insight about what you meant,…

At the firm we talk with clients all day about different strategies one can employ to reduce estate taxes. Credit shelter trusts… Gifting… Moving out of WA state… And those are all great – but they’re not really that fun for YOU. Well, that all ends today. Are you ready for the most fun way to lower your estate taxes? SPEND IT ON THINGS THAT MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER! If your assets are significant enough to worry about estate taxes,…

What is estate planning, and why is it important? In this video, Christopher Small, owner of CMS Law Firm, breaks down the essentials of estate planning in an easy-to-understand way. Learn about: The two key scenarios estate planning covers: when you’re alive but incapacitated and when you pass away. Important documents like powers of attorney, healthcare directives, wills, and trusts. Why a revocable living trust can be a game-changer for avoiding probate and customizing distributions. Whether you’re just getting started…

I alluded to this a couple of newsletters ago, but our team has been growing! We have not one, but TWO new attorneys on our team! If you’re currently working with us, you’ve probably seen them popping up on our email communications with you as we get them integrated into the team, and today I wanted to formally introduce them! First, we’ve got Liz Hebel. Liz has been practicing for about 5 years and has been looking for an opportunity…

I know you all are probably locked into the Super Bowl right now (hopefully the game gets a little closer) so I thought I’d give you something quick to digest. Revocable trusts and income taxes. It’s that time of the year when everyone starts organizing all their tax documents to see if they get a refund, have to write a check, and whether or not it feels like a lot or a little. And if you have a revocable trust,…

Let’s just cut right to the chase on this one – YES, you should discuss your estate with your kids. Trust provisions limiting distributions over time at the discretion of and with the oversight of a trustee are helpful. Trust provisions providing for incentives for doing things you want your kids to do will express your wishes (and probably result in them sleepwalking through the things you want them to do). And there’s no better way to prepare your kids…