Recent News

What happens if someone is married, but separated when they die? As a general rule, all assets acquired before a marriage are separate property and all assets acquired during a marriage are community property.  This includes wages a person earns.  There is an exception to the rule for unmarried people living in a “committed intimate… Read More

“Everybody wants to be a cat…” or so the song goes. But if you’ve got a Duchess or a Thomas O'Malley of your own lounging around your living room, it’s time to ask:What happens to them if something happens to you? We get it. You refer to them as your child at the dog park.… Read More

On July 1, 2025, three big changes to Washington’s estate tax law will go into effect. In its 2025 session, the Washington legislature passed a bill that provided for increases to the individual exclusion amount, addressed an issue that caused the exclusion amount to be frozen at $2.193 million for several years, and substantially increased… Read More

May 22nd, 2025 Beresford Booth attorney Joshua G. R. Curtis discusses Testamentary Trusts vs Revocable Living Trusts. Read More

Washington estate tax doesn’t get much attention. In part, this is because there have not been any changes to our state’s estate tax since 2018, when the last adjustment for inflation to the applicable estate tax exclusion amount occurred. The applicable exclusion amount is the value of an estate that is exempt from estate tax.… Read More

March 27th, 2025 Beresford Booth Attorney Emily Y. Tyson-Shu discusses Is Probate Necessary? Circumstances When Probate Is Not Required. Read More

Did you know that you can get estate planning for free?  That’s right, the Washington State Legislature has done your estate planning for you.  Here is all you have to do to take advantage of this benefit of living in Washington State – Nothing.  Now, the default rules created by the Legislature in RCW Title… Read More

Whether you have been married for one year or thirty years, it is extremely important to update your estate plan following a divorce.  RCW 11.12.051(1) states that “if, after making a will, the testator's marriage or domestic partnership is dissolved, invalidated, or terminated, all provisions in the will in favor of or granting any interest… Read More

January 30th, 2025 Beresford Booth Attorney Sherry Bosse Lueders talk about Washington estate tax planning basics. Read More