Estate Planning Services
Securing your family's future with comprehensive legal planning.
From wills and trusts to probate administration, we help individuals and families prepare for the future with clarity and care. Estate planning decisions you make now can affect generations to come, and our team brings a strategic approach to protect what matters most.
Whether you're creating your first will or managing complex family assets, you deserve legal guidance that's thorough and effective. We focus on protecting your interests, minimizing taxes, and creating plans that work for your unique situation.
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Estate planning
Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney tailored to your family structure and goals
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Probate administration and dispute resolution
Guiding executors through court processes and resolving beneficiary conflicts
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Trust administration and management
Overseeing trust operations, distributions, and fiduciary compliance
What We Handle
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Tax planning and asset protection
Strategies to minimize tax exposure and shield wealth from creditors
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Business succession planning
Structured transitions of ownership and leadership to the next generation
Why Work With Us
We understand that estate planning is about more than documents—it's about peace of mind. Our approach focuses on creating comprehensive plans that protect your family and preserve your legacy.
Whether you need a basic will or a complex trust structure, we make the estate planning process clear and manageable.
Estate Planning at Advocates Law Group is led by:
Stacey brings over three decades of experience in estate planning and probate law. Known for her thorough approach and practical insight, she helps families create lasting plans that protect their interests across generations.
FAQ about Estate Planning
A will distributes your assets after death and goes through probate court, becoming public record. A trust can manage assets during your lifetime and after death, often avoiding probate entirely. Trusts provide more privacy, can reduce taxes, and allow for more complex distribution arrangements, but are more expensive to establish.
Your Power of Attorney is effective as long as you continue to live unless you revoke it. Upon your death, the Power of Attorney will automatically be revoked, and upon your death, your Attorney-in-Fact will no longer have authority. Your Power of Attorney is not intended to be a will substitute, which is why it ceases to be effective after death. After your death, the Personal Representative named in your will or the Trustee, if you have a Trust, generally will handle any financial matters needed.
Review your estate plan every 3-5 years or after major life events: marriage, divorce, birth of children or grandchildren, significant changes in assets, death of beneficiaries or executors, relocation to another state, or changes in tax laws. Regular updates ensure your plan reflects your current wishes and circumstances.
Probate is the court process that validates a will and oversees asset distribution. In Washington, it typically takes 4-12 months for simple estates. Assets under $100,000 may qualify for simplified procedures. The process involves filing paperwork, notifying creditors and beneficiaries, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets according to the will.
Trusts aren't just for the wealthy. Even modest estates can benefit from trusts to avoid probate, provide privacy, protect assets from creditors, or ensure proper management if you become incapacitated. However, simpler estate planning tools like wills and powers of attorney may be sufficient for straightforward situations with limited assets.
Related Practice Areas
Contact Us to Explore Your Legal Options
If you're planning for your family's future and want comprehensive legal guidance that protects what matters most—start here.
Schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation:
📞 (206) 682-9600