Publications

When did you last review your estate plan? If it's been more than a few years since you've looked at your plan, or if you haven't yet created an estate plan, this article will help you understand the current landscape of federal and Washington State estate tax laws and provide you with some practical tips for creating your plan or reviewing your existing plan to see if an update is warranted.

Many Washington residents know that the state has no income tax, but fewer realize that Washington has an estate tax that can impact families at the time of death. A recent change in the law—the Spousal Personal Residence Exclusion—potentially shields an estate from having to file a Washington estate tax return in certain circumstances. This change, which went into effect January 1, 2025, could reduce tax reporting burdens for surviving spouses.

This issue covers challenged wills, why contingent beneficiaries matter, net gifts, how to talk to your spouse about estate planning, and estate planning for parents of minors.

This issue covers small business owners use of the valuation method, executing a codicil on your will, deciding when to transfer wealth, avoiding digital assets in your estate plan, and Revocable Living Trust.

This issue covers bypass trusts, estate planning during COVID-19, how to create an eldercare plan for an elderly loved one, which type of living trust to use, challenge proof planning.

This final issue of 2021 covers annual gift tax exclusion, SPA trusts, choosing "successor fiduciaries," estate planning pitfalls, and what to avoid when making year end gifts.