Recent News

Estate Planning for Your Fur Children, Aristocats Style

Washington State Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer Rachel J. Wright | 7/1/2025
“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

Three Big Changes to Washington Estate Tax Laws as of July 1, 2025

Washington State Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer Sherry Bosse Lueders | 7/1/2025
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

Washington Estate Tax Changes for 2025

Washington State Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer Sherry Bosse Lueders | 5/14/2025
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

Free Estate Planning!

Washington State Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer Joshua G. R. Curtis | 3/26/2025
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

The Importance of Updating Your Will After Divorce

Washington State Family Law Lawyer Anne B. Bennette | 2/26/2025
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

What is a Disclaimer?

Washington State Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer Sherry Bosse Lueders | 1/28/2025
Qualified Disclaimers: A tool for when you would prefer not to accept an inheritance A qualified disclaimer is a formal refusal to accept property or assets being distributed from an estate or trust. When a beneficiary disclaims (ie, refuses) an inheritance, it passes to another beneficiary as if the disclaiming person never had ownership of… Read More