Estate Planning
The Benefits of Working with a Will Attorney for Your Estate Planning
Nobody wakes up thinking about estate planning. It usually takes something else to bring it to mind: a new baby, a house closing in Olympia, WA, a parent who suddenly needs more help, or a business that’s finally taking off. And once those thoughts start, they tend to stick around. Who gets the house? Who…
Read MoreHow to Pick a Guardian for Your Kids – Tips from an Olympia Estate Lawyer
Olympia is a place where many families build long-term roots. Strong communities, good schools, and a steady pace of life make it easy to feel like everything is under control. But that sense of stability is exactly why one important decision often gets delayed: naming a guardian for your children. Estate planning is not about expecting the…
Read MoreWill vs Living Trust: Which Option Is Best for Your Family?
People who live in Olympia tend to be planners. Whether it is preparing for the gray stretch of Pacific Northwest winters or mapping out the next chapter for a growing family in Thurston County, there is something about this community that makes people think ahead. That instinct is exactly what drives good estate planning. Most families eventually ask…
Read MoreWashington Estate Tax Update
Washington State has made major changes to its estate tax structure, including increasing the exemption amount for individuals who die on or after July 1, 2025 and raising the progressive estate tax rates more quickly to as high as 35% Key Changes to the Estate Tax Law Increased Exemption: The exemption amount—the portion of an estate…
Read MoreNew Law Eliminating the Estate Tax Filing Requirement Involving a Qualifying Familial Residence
House Bill 1867 is a Washington State law that alters the state’s estate tax filing requirements. The bill eliminates the requirement for certain estates, specifically those involving a qualifying family residence, to file an estate tax return. This applies to estates where the decedent’s spouse inherits the residence and the remaining estate value, minus the residence,…
Read MoreEstate Planning Gift Strategies
Written by Susan Pai, Senior Associate Attorney, Cap City Law, PS Gifting to individuals can be a powerful tool in estate planning, allowing you to reduce your taxable estate while providing financial support to loved ones. According to estate planning experts, strategic gifting can offer tax benefits and help transfer wealth to future generations, but…
Read MoreUnderstanding Revocable Living Trusts
Understanding Revocable Living Trusts We, like many attorneys, have clients say something like, “I’ve been told that I need a trust so I can avoid probate.” These clients are generally referring to what are called revocable living trusts (“RLT”). These trusts are vehicles that allow you to get your assets to the next generation. Probate,…
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