Estate Planning & Administration
The Stokes Lawrence Estate Planning & Administration group includes some of the most qualified attorneys you’ll find in this field. Yet it’s our educational approach that distinguishes us from other firms. We’re able to simplify complex concepts and patiently guide you through what can be both a technical and an emotional process.
Individuals and families trust us with their estate planning needs. We help develop core estate planning documents, such as a will, power of attorney and health directive. In addition, we can assist with integrating other issues into your overall estate plan, such as the sale of a business, charitable giving, lifetime gifting, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, or long-term care.
We also assist individuals and professionals serving as personal representatives, executors and trustees with the probate process and the administration of various types of trusts. We help with the filing of court documents, gathering and valuing of assets, preparation of various tax returns, and compliance with fiduciary duties.
If disputes arise, our group works closely with our Trust & Estate Litigation practice to provide a range of trust and estate dispute resolution options.
What to Expect
We begin working with you by first getting acquainted. We ask basic questions to determine your specific needs and the best way for us to assist you. Whatever your needs may be, together we prioritize and develop a comprehensive plan tailored for your unique situation.
We also strive to give you options. We will match the appropriate vehicle or strategy to your objectives. For each planning technique or each step of an administration, we offer an explanation of benefits and drawbacks, educating you about the law and compliance requirements. We help you compare and contrast the options so you clearly understand the intended outcome.
Industry Leadership
Our Estate Planning & Administration group comprises highly skilled lawyers who are widely recognized as preeminent advisors in their field. Our lawyers have the expertise and experience to counsel clients in need of sophisticated estate planning services. Our founding member, Doug Lawrence, established the rigor of the department by playing an active role in drafting and passing trust and estate legislation, including the Trust Act of 1984 and the 1999 Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA).
Apart from active engagement with the Washington State Bar Association and other community organizations, our team of attorneys frequently provides educational presentations and articles for other legal and high-net-worth planning professionals. Our group is committed to education and excellence.
- Stokes Lawrence is proud to have 39 lawyers awarded in the 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
- Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Named to 2024 Washington Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Stokes Lawrence Trust and Estate Attorneys Ranked as Leaders in the 2024 Chambers High Net Worth Guide
- Jenna Ichikawa and Saul Tilden Speaking at KCBA's Estate Planning for the 99% Seminar
- An important new federal law, the Corporate Transparency Act, requires certain entities to report beneficial owner information beginning January 1, 2024.
- Thirty-seven Stokes Lawrence attorneys are honored in the 30th Annual 2024 The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch edition
- Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Named to 2023 Washington Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- The Power of the Power of Attorney
- Washington Supreme Court Upholds Capital Gains Tax
- Reminder: Gift Tax Returns Due April 15, 2023
- U.S. News & World Report have recognized Stokes Lawrence on the 2023 "Best Law Firms" list
- What to Know About Powers of Attorney
- Stokes Lawrence Managing Shareholder, Kelly Twiss Noonan, To Be Honored Among Region's Women Of Influence
- ICYMI: Stokes Lawrence Presents - Estate Planning 101
- Stokes Lawrence Named a "Ceiling Smasher" by Law360
- 2023 The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Honor 23 Stokes Lawrence Attorneys
- Stokes Lawrence Presents: Estate Planning 101 - August 25th, 2022
- Coordinating Non-Probate Assets with your Estate Plan
- 19 Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Named to 2022 Washington's Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
- Insight on Estate Planning - June/July 2022
- Insight on Estate Planning - April/May 2022
- Insight on Estate Planning - February/March 2022
- Stokes Lawrence Named to 2022 "Best Law Firms" List
- Insight on Estate Planning - October/November 2021
- 23 Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch
- Insight on Estate Planning - August/September 2021
- Insight on Estate Planning - June/July 2021
- Insight on Estate Planning - April/May 2021
- Estate Planning During a Pandemic
- Insight on Estate Planning - February/March 2021
- Stokes Lawrence Announces 5 New Shareholders
- Insight on Estate Planning - Year End 2020
- Stokes Lawrence Named to 2021 Best Law Firms List
- The SECURE Act: What You Need to Know
- A Brief Guide to Year-End Gifting
- Insight on Estate Planning - October/November 2020
- 23 Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch
- Insight on Estate Planning - August/September 2020
- The Importance of Administering Your Spouse or Domestic Partner's Estate
- Stokes Lawrence Attorneys, Estate Planning Practice Again Ranked as Leaders
- COVID-19 Resources
- 20 Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Named to 2020 Washington's Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
- Utilizing Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts in a Low-Interest-Rate World
- Insight on Estate Planning - June/July 2020
- Stokes Lawrence Ranked Among Largest Women-Owned Businesses
- Insight on Estate Planning - April/May 2020
- Estate Planning in the Time of COVID-19
- Insight on Estate Planning - February/March 2020
- The 'SECURE' Act Modifies Distribution Rules for Retirement Accounts After Death
- Graving, Howshar, Ichikawa, Slosburg Promoted to Shareholder
- Insight on Estate Planning - Year End 2019
- The Probate Process from Start to Finish
- Patrick Shirey Joins Stokes Lawrence Velikanje Moore & Shore
- For Eighth Year, Stokes Lawrence Is Named a Best Law Firm
- Leaving a Legacy: Incorporating Charitable Giving in Your Estate Plan
- Insight on Estate Planning - October/November 2019
- Insight on Estate Planning - August/September 2019
- I'm a Trustee, Now What?
- 2019 Chambers High Net Worth Guide Recognizes Stokes Lawrence Lawyers as Leaders
- 2019 Annual Taxation Seminar
- Insight on Estate Planning - June/July 2019
- To Lie Down in Greener Pastures: Washington State's Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Traditional Burial
- What Washington Snowbirds Should Know About Taxes
- Insight on Estate Planning - April/May 2019
- Insight on Estate Planning - February/March 2019
- Insight on Estate Planning - Year-End 2018
- Do You Need a Revocable Living Trust?
- Stokes Lawrence Again Named Best Law Firm for Seventh Year
- Art Is Long and Life Is Short: Planning for the Art in Your Estate
- Insight on Estate Planning - October/November 2018
- Estate Administration Boot Camp
- Five Things to Consider When Making Educational Gifts to Students
- 15 Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Named to 2019 Best Lawyers List
- Insight on Estate Planning August/September 2018
- Estate Planning Lawyers Recognized in Chambers HNW
- Stokes Lawrence Named to 2018 Washington's Best Workplaces
- 17 Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Named to 2018 Super Lawyers Lists
- Insight on Estate Planning - June/July 2018
- Stokes Lawrence Again Recognized as a Best Firm for Female Attorneys
- SLVMS Welcomes Saul Tilden
- Personal Estate Planning for the 99%
- Insight on Estate Planning - April/May 2018
- Time to Review Your Operating Agreements - New Partnership Audit Rules Enacted
- Lori Rath, Alison Warden Join the Estate Planning Group
- Insight on Estate Planning - February/March 2018
- Highlights of the New Tax Reform Law
- Insight on Estate Planning - Year-End 2017
- Ellen Jackson, Sarah Wixson Named Volunteer Attorneys of the Year
- Karolyn Hicks Named ACTEC Fellow
- WSBA Practice Primer: Estate Planning
- Identifying Community Property Assets During Probate Administration
- Duties and Liabilities of Nonprofit Board Members
- Insight on Estate Planning - October/November 2017
- Washington's New Trust Decanting Law Expands Trustee's Power to Modify Irrevocable Trusts
- Stokes Lawrence Estate Planning Practice, Attorneys Recognized as Leaders in Their Field
- Insight on Estate Planning - August/September 2017
- 17 Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Named as Washington Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Insight on Estate Planning - June/July 2017
- Paralegal Mel Brown Receives Doug Peters Lifetime Achievement Award
- Insight on Estate Planning - April/May 2017
- Insight on Estate Planning - February/March 2017
- Washington's New Power of Attorney Act to Take Effect Jan. 1
- Insight on Estate Planning - Year End 2016
- Stokes Lawrence Named to 2017 Best Law Firms List
- Insight on Estate Planning - October/November 2016
- Saving for College: GET or 529
- Proposed Regulations Will Likely Limit Discount-Based Tax Planning
- 11 Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Named to 2017 Best Lawyers List
- Estate Planning in a Community Property State
- Insight on Estate Planning - August/September 2016
- Stokes Lawrence, Doug Lawrence, RoseMary Reed Recognized in Chambers High Net Worth Guide
- George Velikanje Featured in Washington Super Lawyers Magazine
- Life Insurance: Understanding a Key Part of Your Estate Plan, Part 3Benefits of ILIT
- Life Insurance: Understanding a Key Part of Your Estate Plan, Part 2Universal, Variable and Survivorship Policies
- Insight on Estate Planning - June/July 2016
- Life Insurance: Understanding a Key Part of Your Estate Plan
- Insight on Estate Planning - April/May 2016
- Managing Nonprobate Assets: Planning for Your Entire Estate
- Insight on Estate Planning - February/March 2016
- Estate Planning for Families With Rental Real Estate Businesses
- Insight on Estate Planning - Year End 2015
- Could Your Estate Benefit From an "Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust"?
- Insight on Estate Planning - October/November 2015
- George Velikanje Marks 50 Years of Legal Service
- Trusts 101
- Planning for the Care of Minor Children
- Nuts & Bolts of TEDRA
- 9 Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Named as 2016 Best Lawyers in America
- Insight on Estate Planning - August/September 2015
- Stokes Lawrence Forms Mediation & Arbitration Practice Group
- Gift Tax Exclusion for Payment of Qualifying Medical and Tuition Expenses
- For Second Year, Nearly Half of Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
- Insight on Estate Planning - June/July 2015
- Washington's New 2015 Directed Trust Act
- Washington Probate and Trust Law Update
- One Final Spring Cleaning Task: A Gift to Your Future Agent or Personal Representative
- Insight on Estate Planning - April/May 2015
- The ABLE Act of 2014: A New Way to Save for Beneficiaries With Special Needs
- Insight on Estate Planning - February/March 2015
- RoseMary Reed Receives Preeminent Rating From Martindale-Hubbell
- Joint Tenancy Bank Accounts as Part of Estate Planning
- Stokes Lawrence Partners With Northwest Immigrant Rights Project to Aid Child Immigrants
- Insight on Estate Planning - Year End 2014
- Yakima Event - Avoiding Personal Liability: Advice for Owners and Managers of Privately Held Businesses
- Probate Administration
- Stokes Lawrence Named Best Law Firm for Third Consecutive Year
- New Washington Law Allows for Transfer of Real Property at Death Without Probate
- Insight on Estate Planning - October/November 2014
- Top 10 Ways to Reduce Family Controversy in Trusts and Estates
- Insight on Estate Planning - August/September 2014
- 8 Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America
- Court of Appeals Sets Record Straight on Fiduciaries' Role and the Scope of TEDRA
- Filing an Estate in Probate Court
- Determining if Spouse's Elective Share is a Reasonable Option; Litigating the Case in Probate Court
- Managing the Inventory; Administering the Estate Effectively
- Family Business Succession Planning
- Nearly Half of Stokes Lawrence Attorneys Named Washington Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Trust & Estate Litigation Practice Wins in Court of Appeals
- Insight on Estate Planning - June/July 2014
- IRS Extends Deadline for Certain Estates to Elect Portability: Could You Benefit?
- Insight on Estate Planning - April/May 2014
- RoseMary Reed Elected to American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Using a Donor Advised Fund for Your Charitable Giving
- Planning Considerations for Nonprobate Assets
- Will Contests: To File or Not to File? That is the Question
- Washington Transfer Tax - A Different Set of Rules
- The Probate Process From Start to Finish
- Insights on Estate Planning
- 9th Annual Probate Administration
- Insight on Estate Planning
- Probate & Trust Law Fundamentals
- Drafting and Funding the Marital and Credit Shelter Shares
- 2013 Real Property, Probate & Trust Midyear
- Philanthropic & Legacy Planning for Professional Advisors
- Insight on Estate Planning - Year In Review 2012
- 8th Annual Probate Administration
- Stokes Lawrence Wins Major Appeal for Washington Estates
- A TEDRA Litigator's Advice on How Best to Defend Against a Challenge to Documents You Draft
- Estate Planning Forms and Fundamentals
- 2012 Real Property, Probate & Trust Seminar
- Who Receives the Proceeds of Life Insurance?
- Business Succession Planning, Business Law Section: Constructing and Implementing a Succession Plan for Closely Held and Family Business