Figuring out if you want a DNR, POLST, or need an Advanced Care Directive (also known as a Health Care Directive or Living Will) as part of your estate plan can be confusing. There are always the “what ifs” to contend with. At The Whipple Law Group, our estate planning attorneys can walk you through all the scenarios and help you determine what is important to you.
A Powers of Attorney (POA) is an estate planning tool in Washington, where you appoint a person, known as the agent or attorney-in-fact, to manage your affairs. An agent is commonly appointed to handle financial or medical matters, when you are unable to do so yourself, due to illness or injury. However, it can also be used by individuals in full health who wish to delegate authority to another person, for added convenience or assistance in managing their affairs.
The world of estate planning can be complex to navigate. Trusts, in particular, present a myriad of options. From Revocable Living Trusts to Special Needs Trusts, the choices are vast. Each trust type carries its own benefits and considerations. This blog aims to simplify these options.
Estate planning is often associated with married couples or wealthy individuals. However, it's equally, if not more useful, for unmarried individuals. Without a proper estate plan, state laws may dictate how your assets are distributed. This may not align with what you have in mind for your perso...
How Do You Choose an Estate Planning Attorney? You have been told about the significance of estate planning to secure your assets for the future. You have been informed that estate planning is one of the most loving things you can do for your loved ones. Now, how do you go about choosing the righ...
Guardianship Abuse Prevention Guardianship is a legal tool designed to protect vulnerable adults. It assigns and entrusts a guardian with the responsibility to care for an individual who cannot care for themselves. However, this system is not immune to abuse. Guardianship abuse is a growing conce...
Updating Your Estate Plans Estate planning is a crucial task that many of us tend to overlook. Yet, it's an essential part of ensuring our family legacy and protecting our assets. An estate plan is not a one-time document. It's a living, evolving plan that should reflect our current circumstances...
Business estate planning is an important aspect of entrepreneurship that often goes overlooked. It's about more than just preparing for the inevitable. It's about ensuring the continuity of your business legacy and safeguarding the future of your hard-earned assets. In this blog, we delve into st...
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires U.S. corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and other similar entities to report their beneficial ownership information (BOI) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This blog will help your small business understand and compl...
If you reside in Washington, you might be curious about the estate tax; what it means, and its potential impact on your assets and loved ones upon your passing. In this article, we will dive into the details of the Washington estate tax, including the current exemption, how it is calculated, and ...
Losing a loved one is never easy, and the process of settling their estate can be overwhelming. If you have been named as the personal representative of an estate, you may be wondering what steps you need to take to begin opening probate and the estate administration process. In this article, we ...
RCWs and WACs and Bears “OH MY!” In Washington, we are governed by a system of laws. These include federal, state, and local (municipal) statutes, regulations, rules, and ordinances. In addition, there is a whole body of case law, that serves to interpret the application of these underlying laws....
Dealing with the distribution of physical items in an estate can be a daunting task, and the question of “Who gets what?” often poses a significant challenge. Below, we'll explore common issues people face and some creative potential solutions to make the estate inventory process smoother and mor...
Prescriptive Easements Easements grant legal authority for one person (the dominant property owner) to use the property of another person (servient property owner) without possessing legal property ownership. We have discussed this previously in a blog post describing what you need to know about ...
Spokane's Best Estate Planning Attorneys for 2024 The Whipple Law Group is proud to announce its selection to Expertise.com's Top 9 List of Best Estate Planning Attorneys in Spokane for the year 2024. This prestigious recognition is a testament to our firm's unwavering commitment to providing exc...
EASEMENTS: What you need to know. Property Rights: a bundle of sticks Easement defined Thinking about easements How are easements created? Can an easement be terminated? Key Takeaways Property Rights: a bundle of sticks Owning property is a basic, fundamental right. When looking at ...
I Have a Child with Special Needs, is Guardianship Right for Me? You've been doing a great job as a caregiver while your child is a minor; however, you may need to navigate the Guardianship/Conservatorship court, or consult with an attorney, once your child turns 18. Sometimes, reaching the age o...
What Does it Mean to Be a Personal Representative? Being appointed as the personal representative, commonly known as the executor or administrator, of an estate is a position of significant responsibility and trust. Ultimately, the role demands integrity, clear communication, and a commitment to ...
Starting an Estate Plan Creating a plan for your estate is an essential task. It creates a road map for your family and beneficiaries to follow, in the event of your passing, that is clear and legally binding. The scope of your estate plan should consider all assets, as well as your medical care ...
Business succession planning (i.e., an estate plan for your business) is a crucial component of personal estate planning that ensures a smooth transition of ownership and management of a business from one generation to the next. Succession planning involves the development of a comprehensive stra...
Estate planning goes hand-in-hand with probate. Probate serves to legally transfer your assets to your heirs. Estate planning ensures that your assets are transferred in the manner you decide. You maintain control as to who receives your property and in what shares. Working with an experienced at...
What happens to my pet after I die? Our estate planning attorneys help you answer that question, and give you the peace knowing that your pet will be well taken care of after you are gone. For many pet owners, their furry friends are not just animals but beloved family members. The thought of lea...
If you own a home, business, or investments, there is a good chance that you will need a trust to protect your wealth. Because individual needs vary, it is almost impossible to approach trust creation from a one-size-fits-all perspective. Instead, your individual needs, personal goals, familial c...
What is an NFT? An NFT is the acronym for Non-Fungible Tokes. A NFT is something that is one-of-a-kind. It is unique but unlike, say a work of art, you cannot touch it. It is actually a digital asset. JPG files, GIF files, and MP3 files all might be examples of NFTs. Why is owning an NFT differen...
What is Crypto? Cryptocurrency is, “a digital currency in which transactions are verified and records maintained by a decentralized system using cryptography, rather than by a centralized authority.” Decentralized, meaning that it's an organization controlled by several offices or authorities, ra...