Do you have questions or concerns about estate taxes in Spokane, Washington? Elevated Estate Planning, P.S. can help when you call (509) 328-2150. We offer a confidential consultation with a Spokane estate tax lawyer, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
Estate planning isn’t just about passing along your assets—it’s about doing so in a way that minimizes taxes, protects your family, and honors your wishes. For individuals and families in Spokane, that means understanding how estate taxes can impact what you leave behind.
Washington is one of the few states that imposes its own estate tax, and the rules are far from simple. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Choose Elevated Estate Planning, P.S. For Help With Estate Planning in Spokane, WA?
At Elevated Estate Planning, P.S., we focus on building personalized solutions for individuals, couples, and families across Washington. We’re ready to listen to your story and provide thoughtful guidance that aligns with your values, protects your assets, and minimizes estate tax exposure.
Clients choose us because:
- We have over 25 years of combined experience: Our legal team brings decades of focused estate planning knowledge to each case, offering seasoned guidance tailored to your needs.
- We stay current on changes in tax law: Washington’s estate tax rules don’t always mirror federal law. We keep track of those distinctions and how they affect your plan.
- We believe in clear communication: You won’t get buried in legal jargon. We explain your options plainly so you can make informed decisions.
Call, contact us online, or stop by our office to schedule a consultation with a Spokane estate planning attorney.
What is Estate Tax?
Estate tax is a tax on the transfer of a person’s assets after death. Unlike income or property taxes, which are part of everyday life, estate taxes often remain out of sight until the time comes to administer an estate. The financial impact can be significant for families with estates above the exemption threshold.
When a person dies, their “estate” includes everything they owned at death. That might include:
- Real estate
- Cash and investment accounts
- Retirement funds
- Life insurance proceeds (in some cases)
- Personal property
- Business interests
If the estate’s value exceeds certain thresholds, estate tax may be owed before assets can be distributed to heirs.
Types of Estate Tax
There are two types of estate tax to be aware of if you are a Washington resident:
- Federal estate tax: As of 2025, the federal estate tax exemption is $13,990,000 per individual, adjusted annually for inflation under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
- Washington state estate tax: Washington imposes its own tax with a much lower exemption and its own set of rules.
The federal tax affects fewer people due to the high exemption, but Washington’s estate tax can impact middle- and upper-middle-class estates. That’s why careful planning is essential.
Washington Estate Tax Thresholds and Exemptions
Washington is one of only a handful of states with its own estate tax, and recent legislative changes have significantly altered how that tax is calculated. These updates affect the estates of individuals who pass away on or after July 1, 2025.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Washington estate tax exemption: As of July 1, 2025, estates under $3 million are exempt from Washington estate tax. This is a substantial increase from the previous exemption of $2.193 million. Beginning in 2026, this exemption amount will be adjusted annually for inflation.
- Tax rate: Washington now uses a graduated rate ranging from 10% to 35%, depending on the size of the taxable estate. Larger estates will fall into higher brackets and face steeper rates.
- No portability: Unlike the federal estate tax, Washington does not allow spouses to combine their exemptions. That means even if one spouse passes away without using their exemption, the surviving spouse does not receive a higher limit.
For many families in Spokane—especially those who own property, operate a business, or hold retirement assets—it’s surprisingly easy to cross the $2.193 million threshold without feeling “wealthy.”
Strategies to Minimize Estate Tax Liability
Estate tax exposure isn’t set in stone. There are many strategies that can reduce or even eliminate the tax owed if you plan ahead. Below are several common tools that may be used, depending on your estate size, asset structure, and family dynamics:
- Credit shelter trusts: While Washington does not allow portability of the estate tax exemption between spouses, a credit shelter trust can preserve the first spouse’s exemption by placing assets in trust after death.
- Lifetime gifting: You can give up to the federal annual gift tax exclusion without triggering gift tax reporting. Note that Washington has no gift tax, but gifts may still be included in your gross estate if made within three years of death.
- Charitable Giving: Washington’s estate tax includes a deduction for assets left to qualifying charities. Whether through a direct bequest, charitable remainder trust, or donor-advised fund, charitable giving can serve both philanthropic and tax-reduction goals.
Selecting the right combination of strategies depends on your goals, asset types, and the potential size of your estate relative to Washington’s exemption.
Who Needs an Estate Tax Lawyer in Washington?
You don’t have to be ultra-wealthy to need estate tax planning in Washington. With the state exemption set at $3 million as of July 1, 2025, many individuals and families in Spokane may be closer to the threshold than they realize.
You may benefit from working with an estate tax lawyer if:
- You own a home or real estate in Spokane or the surrounding areas
- You have retirement savings, investments, or brokerage accounts
- You hold life insurance policies with large death benefits
- You own a business, a family farm, or rental properties
- Your total estate is approaching or exceeds $3 million
- You want to ensure your spouse or heirs are protected from surprise tax obligations
Even if your estate currently falls below the exemption limit, it may grow in value over time. Planning early allows you to take advantage of tools like lifetime gifting, trusts, and charitable strategies before your estate becomes taxable.
How Can an Estate Planning Lawyer Help Me?
Navigating estate tax law in Washington isn’t an easy project. An experienced estate planning lawyer does more than just draft documents—they help you understand the tax implications of your choices and design a plan that works for your unique situation.
Here’s what an estate planning lawyer can do:
- Evaluate your estate’s current value: Many people underestimate how much they’ll leave behind once life insurance, real estate, and retirement accounts are included.
- Identify exposure to estate tax: We calculate whether your estate will exceed the state or federal exemption thresholds.
- Explain your options: We help you weigh different strategies—trusts, gifting, business entities—and how they could impact your tax liability.
- Draft and implement your plan: From wills to advanced trusts, we prepare the legal documents needed to put your plan into action.
Update your plan over time: Life changes—marriages, births, asset growth—can shift your tax exposure. We keep your plan aligned with your current situation. - Coordinate with other advisors: We often work alongside financial planners, accountants, and business attorneys to ensure a coordinated approach.
Estate tax law can be unforgiving. Deadlines are strict, paperwork must be precise, and errors can be costly. Our role is to remove the guesswork so you can focus on your family and future, not on tax codes.
Contact Our Spokane Estate Tax Attorneys For a Consultation
Estate tax might seem like something only ultra-wealthy families need to worry about—but in Spokane, Washington, that’s simply not the case. With the exemption capped at just over $2 million, it’s easy for hardworking families to find themselves facing a significant tax bill.
At Elevated Estate Planning, P.S., we believe that every family deserves to pass on their assets without unnecessary tax burdens. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation with a Spokane estate tax lawyer and take charge of your future.