As an estate attorney, I often advise clients on the importance of creating a financial power of attorney as part of their estate plan. A financial power of attorney is a legal document that designates a trusted person (the agent) to manage your financial affairs in the event that you become incapacitated and are unable [...]
A revocable trust can help in a blended family situation because it allows you to specify how your assets will be distributed after you pass away, and gives you the flexibility to make changes to your plan as your family situation evolves. For example, let's say you are in a second marriage and you have [...]
In a blended family situation in Washington state, if someone dies without a will (intestate), their assets will be distributed according to the state's intestate probate laws. These laws provide a specific order of priority for who inherits the assets, starting with the surviving spouse and then moving on to the deceased's children and other [...]
Probate is the legal process by which a deceased person's assets are distributed to their heirs and beneficiaries. In Washington state, the probate process can be relatively straightforward, but it's important to understand the steps involved and the laws that govern the process. The first step in the probate process is to file a petition [...]
