Regardless of your economic situation or your age, it is highly recommended that you choose Elevated Estate Planning, P.S., to help you create a comprehensive estate plan that includes an enforceable will. Contact our law office in Kennewick, WA, at (509) 328-2150 today.
A will is the foundation of most estate plans. Your will can stipulate how your assets will be distributed to your loved ones after you pass away and can name a guardian for your children. You can also use a will to reduce estate taxes, but you should update and revise it throughout your life.
With over 25 years of combined experience, our Kennewick wills lawyers can give you peace of mind knowing your wishes will be honored and your loved ones protected.
Why Should You Choose Elevated Estate Planning, P.S. to Help You With Your Will in Kennewick, WA?
When it comes to planning for the future, the attorney you work with matters. At Elevated Estate Planning, P.S., our team brings years of experience helping individuals and families in Kennewick, Washington, prepare for what lies ahead. We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, our Kennewick estate planning attorneys will listen to your goals, answer your questions, and design a plan that reflects your unique needs.
Because we live and work in this community, we understand how Washington’s estate laws affect our neighbors. Whether you need help drafting a straightforward will or building a more comprehensive plan that includes trusts and powers of attorney, we’re committed to protecting your legacy and giving you and your family greater confidence as you move forward with your lives.
Contact us today to speak with a Kennewick wills attorney.
What Happens if You Do Not Create a Will?
Some people do not realize that if they do not have a will or other estate planning documents in place, state law will control their estate after they pass away. For many people, the manner in which the law controls their estate does not represent their final wishes. People who pass away without a will are considered intestate, and the process can take much longer while also incurring more costs. Working with a lawyer who can create a comprehensive and detailed document makes the process much easier.
Will Contests and Challenges
Even when a will has been carefully drafted and other documents are submitted to support it, the document may still be contested or challenged after you pass away. There are many situations that can result in a contest or challenge to a will. These include:
- Questions about your mental capacity at the time you drafted and signed the will
- Concerns about a breach of fiduciary duty or fraud
- Wills that include outdated information
- Accusations of will forgery
- Inaccurate facts contained within a will
When a will is contested, the administrator of the estate, also known as the personal representative or estate executor, must continue to make sure they are acting in the best interests of the beneficiaries.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Create a Will?
While all adults should have a will, no one is required to work with an attorney when creating one. However, drafting a will on your own comes with many risks.
Today’s internet has made it easier to find DIY will forms and templates. These are very general and do not always take specific state laws into consideration. If you do not obtain legal advice when drafting your will, it becomes even easier to challenge, and your final wishes may not be met. A Kennewick estate planning attorney will make sure no mistakes are made and that your will is drafted in accordance with Washington law so that your family’s future is protected.
Other Key Estate Planning Tools
A well-prepared will is a cornerstone of estate planning, but it’s not the only tool worth considering. Many clients benefit from incorporating additional documents that provide protection in different circumstances.
- Trusts: Revocable living trusts can simplify the transfer of property and avoid probate, while irrevocable trusts may be used for tax or asset protection purposes. Special needs trusts help care for disabled family members without affecting their benefits.
- Powers of Attorney: Designating someone to make financial and medical decisions for you if you’re unable to act ensures your affairs are handled according to your wishes.
- Advance Health Care Directives: Sometimes called living wills, these outline your preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care.
- Transfer-on-Death Deeds: A simple way to pass real property directly to beneficiaries without going through probate.
- Community Property and Intestate Succession: Washington’s community property rules and default inheritance laws often surprise families. Understanding how these apply to you is vital to ensuring your assets go where you intend.
- Probate and Estate Administration: If your estate does go through probate, having knowledgeable legal support makes the process smoother for your personal representative and beneficiaries.
An attorney can give you sound guidance on all these tools, helping you create a plan that truly reflects your wishes and protects those you care about.
Contact a Kennewick Wills Lawyer for a Consultation
There are many factors to consider when you create a will. At Elevated Estate Planning, P.S., our Kennewick wills attorneys can inform you of what those are and help you make well-informed decisions. With 25 years of combined experience, we are capable of creating a will that accounts for all of your needs.
Call us now or fill out our online form to book an appointment and obtain the legal advice you need.