The Stokes Lawrence Estate Planning & Administration Group is one of the premier private wealth services teams in the Pacific Northwest.
Our attorneys provide sophisticated counsel to affluent individuals and families on wealth preservation, multigenerational business structuring, tax and succession planning, and wealth transfer strategies. With deep technical expertise and extensive experience, we offer nuanced insight into the complex issues that shape our clients’ financial and family legacies.
What sets us apart is our client-centered approach. Estate planning can be both technical and profoundly personal. We pride ourselves on making complex concepts understandable and guiding clients with clarity, patience, and care. Our combination of technical excellence and strong client relationships allows us to clearly articulate objectives and recommendations while building trust.
Individuals and families rely on us for comprehensive estate planning services, including preparing core documents—wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives—as well as sophisticated planning for business transitions, charitable giving, lifetime gifting strategies, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and long-term care planning.
We also represent individuals and professionals who serve as personal representatives, executors, and trustees throughout the probate process and the administration of a wide range of trusts. Our team assists with court filings, asset gathering and valuation, tax return preparation, and navigating fiduciary responsibilities.
When disputes arise, we collaborate closely with our Trust & Estate Litigation Group to provide clients with effective and efficient dispute resolution options.
When it comes to safeguarding and growing wealth, Stokes Lawrence stands as the premier choice across Washington State.
What to Expect
We begin by getting to know you—your goals, your concerns, and the unique circumstances that shape your planning needs. Through thoughtful questions and conversation, we identify the best ways our team can support you. From there, we work together to prioritize your objectives and develop a comprehensive, tailored plan.
We also believe in providing choices. Our attorneys match the right planning tools and strategies to your specific goals and explain the advantages, limitations, and compliance requirements of each option. Whether you are exploring estate planning techniques or navigating the steps of administration, we help you compare and evaluate alternatives so you can make informed decisions with confidence and clarity.
lifetime tax planning
We assist individuals and families in developing and implementing thoughtful, tax-efficient philanthropic plans that reflect their values and long-term goals. Whether you are incorporating charitable giving into your estate plan, exploring lifetime gifting opportunities, or seeking ways to involve younger generations in philanthropy, our team provides clear guidance on the tools and strategies available—such as donor-advised funds, charitable trusts, and private foundations.
In addition to advising donors, we counsel foundations, nonprofits, and other tax-exempt organizations on a broad range of issues. Our services include tax and corporate compliance, board structuring and governance training, strategic planning, and grant-making processes. We help organizations establish a strong operational and legal foundation so they can carry out their missions effectively and sustainably.
Our goal is to ensure that your charitable intentions are realized in a way that is meaningful, compliant, and aligned with your broader estate and wealth-planning objectives.
probate & trust administration
We assist individuals and families in developing and implementing thoughtful, tax-efficient philanthropic plans that reflect their values and long-term goals. Whether you are incorporating charitable giving into your estate plan, exploring lifetime gifting opportunities, or seeking ways to involve younger generations in philanthropy, our team provides clear guidance on the tools and strategies available—such as donor-advised funds, charitable trusts, and private foundations.
In addition to advising donors, we counsel foundations, nonprofits, and other tax-exempt organizations on a broad range of issues. Our services include tax and corporate compliance, board structuring and governance training, strategic planning, and grant-making processes. We help organizations establish a strong operational and legal foundation so they can carry out their missions effectively and sustainably.
Our goal is to ensure that your charitable intentions are realized in a way that is meaningful, compliant, and aligned with your broader estate and wealth-planning objectives.
business succession planning
For owners of closely held or family-controlled businesses, thoughtful succession planning is essential to ensuring long-term stability, family harmony, and successful transitions to the next generation of leadership. Our team helps business owners develop and implement strategic plans that protect the business, its value, and the people who depend on it.
We assist with the creation, evaluation, and modification of a wide range of business structures and agreements, including buy–sell agreements, limited liability companies, shareholder agreements, and partnership restructurings. Whether you are preparing for a generational transition, bringing new owners into the business, or planning for an eventual sale, we help identify and structure the right tools to accomplish your goals.
We also design succession plans that coordinate seamlessly with your broader wealth and estate planning objectives. This may include integrating employee benefit programs, stock-option or equity-based incentive plans, and qualified retirement plans to support retention, governance continuity, and long-term business strategy. Our collaborative approach ensures that your legal, financial, and tax advisors are aligned—providing a cohesive plan that positions your business for success today and for the future.
charitable planning
We assist individuals and families in developing and implementing thoughtful, tax-efficient philanthropic plans that reflect their values and long-term goals. Whether you are incorporating charitable giving into your estate plan, exploring lifetime gifting opportunities, or seeking ways to involve younger generations in philanthropy, our team provides clear guidance on the tools and strategies available—such as donor-advised funds, charitable trusts, and private foundations.
In addition to advising donors, we counsel foundations, nonprofits, and other tax-exempt organizations on a broad range of issues. Our services include tax and corporate compliance, board structuring and governance training, strategic planning, and grant-making processes. We help organizations establish a strong operational and legal foundation so they can carry out their missions effectively and sustainably.
Our goal is to ensure that your charitable intentions are realized in a way that is meaningful, compliant, and aligned with your broader estate and wealth-planning objectives.
