General information
Planning for death involves thinking about how your property should be distributed and how your future illness, incapacity, or death should be handled. It may include a number of documents and other methods to plan for the future. These resources provide information and checklists that may be helpful as you start your planning:
- Estate planning checklist of documents from Freewill.com
- Checklist of important documents and information to put in writing from Legal Voice
- Estate Planning for Beginners video from Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program
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
Estate planning for assets
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 things such as cars, homes, land, household items, and bank accounts.) Estate planning decides how to distribute the real and personal property to an individual's heirs.
Wills, trusts, and transfer on death deeds are common ways in which individuals protect and transfer their wealth. Trusts may allow you to avoid probate, a court process that oversees the transfer of assets. Along with these documents, techniques such as making sure beneficiaries or pay on death designations are used can make your wishes take effect after death.
- Should I Avoid Probate in Washington from Navigate Law Group
- Avoiding Probate in Washington from Nolo.com
- Why You Shouldn't Add Your Children to Your Bank Account or Deed from Navigate Law Group
- Plan for Your Digital Assets from Nolo.com
- 6 Reasons to Review Your Estate Plan in Washington from Navigate Law Group
Planning for incapacity and death
Along with planning for property, people also plan for their incapacity and death. This can be done using tools such as powers of attorney, advance directives for healthcare, or information about funeral and burial preferences.
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
- End of Life Ready from End of Life Washington can help you learn more about end of life options and advance care planning
- Instructions for my Final Arrangements from Triplett & Carothers
- Funeral and Burial Instructions (including cremation) from Carnahan Evans PC
