General information
According to the Legal Information Institute, estate planning is the process by which an individual or family arranges the transfer of assets in anticipation of death. An estate plan aims to preserve the maximum amount of wealth possible for the intended beneficiaries and flexibility for the individual prior to death.
An estate is the total property (real and personal) owned by an individual prior to distribution through a trust or will. For example; cars, homes, land, household items, and bank accounts. Estate planning distributes the real and personal property to an individual's heirs.
Wills and trusts are common ways in which individuals protect and transfer their wealth. Trusts, unlike wills, have the benefit of avoiding probate, a lengthy and costly legal process that oversees the transfer of assets.
- Estate planning checklist of documents to help put your affairs in order from Freewill.com
- Checklist of important documents and information you should put in writing as part of the estate planning process from Legal Voice
- Overview of estate planning documents including Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and living Wills from SoundGenerations.org
- Should I Avoid Probate in Washington from Navigate Law Group
- Why You Shouldn't Add Your Children to Your Bank Account or Deed from Navigate Law Group
- Estate Planning for Beginners video in which two attorneys from Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program discuss how to plan ahead for the future
- Plan for Your Digital Assets from Nolo.com
- 6 Reasons to Review Your Estate Plan in Washington from Navigate Law Group
Preparing in advance for the end of your life can be very helpful for your family members and can help make sure your wishes are carried out.
- Planning for death from Legal Voice
- 'Wonderfile' from End of Life Washington that can help you organize all of your end-of-life documents. It includes all the necessary forms, instructions, and resources you need to record your end-of-life wishes.
Washington has adopted the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act (UEEPDA) which allows for electronic signatures on some estate planning documents.
- The Final Bill Report summarizes the impacts of the law that was passed in 2024
- Washington to Allow Nontestamentary Estate Planning Documents to be Signed Electronically is a brief overview of the new law from Montgomery Purdue law firm
