Basic Wills and Powers of Attorney

Don't be that person who leaves his or her family behind without a coordinated plan. Even if you don't have an "estate" that requires complex planning, everyone benefits from a basic understanding of the process and appropriate documents which allow loved ones to care for you when you can't care for yourself, transfer assets as easily as possible upon your death, avoid probate, clarify who has the authority to act for you and what powers they have, and avoid disputes among family members. As a Spokane estate planning attorney, I talk you through the various issues to come up with a plan that fits your specific needs most efficiently. We often complete the Washington will and estate planning process remotely by phone, email, or video conferencing.

If you already have estate planning documents in place (great job, for being on top of your game), the general recommendation is that you review them at least every 3-5 years.  Even if you don't meet me to review them for you,  pull the documents out for yourself and confirm everyone nominated as one of your agents is still living, your assets have not significantly increased or decreased, you haven't gotten divorced, remarried or widowed, and your general wishes are still the same.  Chances are, it's been a while since you've done this kind of housekeeping, and it's time.  If circumstances have changed, contact us for an official review and update. Online Washington estate planning is an option as well. Inaccurate planning is often worse than no planning.

Sample of Basic Services Provided:

• Wills (Last Will and Testament) --> Where will your assets go? How are things divided? Who is in charge? Who will act as guardian of your minor children?
• Financial Durable Power of Attorney --> Who has legal power to assist you if you're incapacitated? What kinds of powers do they have? Who isn't allowed to complain about the handling of your money?
• Health Care Power of Attorney --> Who can make health care decisions for you if you're incapacitated?
• Disposition of Remains --> Will you be buried or cremated? Where should your final resting place be? Who has power to make any unmade decisions?
• Community Property Agreement --> Do you want to avoid probate on the death of your spouse? 
• Transfer on Death Deeds --> Do you have real estate you want to pass without probate?
• Health Care Directive --> Do you want to avoid long term tubes and machines if you're in a terminal condition or vegetative state?
• Trusts --> Do you want to leave assets to children or charities, but you want someone else to manage and control it for a certain time period until the beneficiary receives it outright? Do you have a taxable estate and want to avoid estate taxes as much as possible? 
• Special Needs Trusts --> Do you want to leave assets to a beneficiary, but don't want to jeopardize certain benefits he or she is receiving?
• Probate or Non-Probate Administration --> Has a loved one passed away and you need to pay off creditors, distribute assets and get his or her name off the title to real estate? Do you want to gain a basic understanding of the process that occurs upon death so you can avoid the common mistakes?

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