Recent News

New Washington Real Estate Excise Tax Inheritance Exemption

The Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 7/1/2016
The state of Washington imposes a real estate excise tax on transfers of real estate, but exemptions from the tax are available for certain types of transfers.  One exemption has been for distributions from the estate of a deceased person to a will beneficiary when the estate involves probate of a last will and testament… Read More

Federal And Washington Estate Taxes For 2016

The Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 2/27/2016
The “applicable exclusion amount” is the amount of a deceased person’s estate that passes free of estate tax. This differs from the unlimited marital deduction that applies when one spouse dies and transfers all of his or her interest in property to the surviving spouse. There is an applicable exclusion amount for federal estate tax… Read More

Do I Really Need To Hire A Lawyer To Prepare My Will In Washington State?

the Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 8/6/2015
No, but you should strongly consider doing so. To many people, a Last Will & Testament seems like an unnecessary and expensive complication, especially if a lawyer is needed, and some believe they can simply write out their wishes or express their wishes orally instead of executing a will. Washington residents are not required to… Read More

Washington State’s Estate Taxes For 2015

The Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 1/15/2015
The “applicable exclusion amount” is the amount of a deceased person’s estate that passes free of estate tax. This differs from the unlimited marital deduction that applies when one spouse dies and transfers all of his or her interest in property to the surviving spouse. There is an applicable exclusion amount for federal estate tax… Read More

Changes To Estate And Gift Taxes For 2015 in Washington State

The Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 11/24/2014
The “applicable exclusion amount” is the amount of a deceased person’s estate that passes free of estate tax.  This differs from the unlimited marital deduction that applies when one spouse dies and transfers all of his or her interest in property to the surviving spouse.  There is an applicable exclusion amount for federal estate tax… Read More

What Is The Process Of Estate Administration In Washington State?

the Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 6/30/2014
In Washington State, when someone passes away, their estate will need to be administered.  In general the process of estate administration accomplishes three basic purposes: 1) gathers together all of the Decedent’s assets; 2) pays all of the Decedent’s debts; and 3) distributes the net remaining estate to the Decedent’s heirs and beneficiaries.  Though these… Read More

What If I Die Without A Will In Washington State?

the Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 6/30/2014
What happens to my estate in Washington State if I die without having executed a Last Will and Testament? When someone dies without having executed a valid Last Will and Testament, they are said to have died intestate (without a Will).  I am frequently asked whether dying without a Will means your Estate will be… Read More

Washington State’s New Transfer On Death Deed

the Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 4/29/2014
Washington is joining several other states in allowing the use of a Transfer on Death Deed to transfer real property to a designated beneficiary at the time of death. This nonprobate transfer tool will become effective on June 12, 2014. A Transfer on Death Deed is a new method in Washington for leaving your real… Read More