Can you believe we are already three-quarters of the way through 2025? Happy fall!
To catch you up from our last newsletter:
- This spring we added a new team member, Seattle native and University of Washington alumna, Marisa Russell. Her energy and passion to help people, coupled with her diverse background, provide a fantastic resource for our clients. She brings with her our new Head of Security, her cat Stormi. Join us in welcoming them both!
- I was once again honored to be named a Washington Super Lawyer for estate planning and probate.
- Last month, I was thrilled to attend the Laver Cup in San Francisco and enjoyed watching Team World take the trophy. I saw world #1 Carlos Alcaraz play four matches!
- December 16th and 17th, I will once again be moderating the Washington State Bar Association’s Best of CLE program. I look forward to it every year.
You’ll see below that Washington state’s new estate tax rules went into effect in July. Now would be a good time to review your plans to determine how the new exemptions and rates impact your estate.
We’ll talk to you again in the spring!
As always, I would love to hear your questions and comments. If you have any questions about our firm and the work we do, please contact us or visit our website.
Recent Updates from Our Blog
Red or Blue – the Only Significant Difference Between States?
As Americans flock to states that match their political stripes, red vs. blue might seem like the ultimate divide. But Stacey uncovers another critical chasm: wildly varying estate laws that should be accounted for if you cross state lines.
Big Changes to Washington’s Estate Tax in 2025
Washington’s estate tax exemption has risen to $3 million – while Washington residents who have over $9 million in assets now face estate tax rates of up to 35%. Marisa demystifies gifting, trusts, and other savvy strategies to trim your tax bill before the year ends.
Single? Male? There’s an Estate Plan Waiting for You . . .
In Seattle, a record 50.4% of men aged 15 and older have never married per 2023 census data. Far from flying solo on estate planning, Stacey tailors tips for domestic partners, pets, and beyond to safeguard your legacy your way.
Summer 2025: Beach, Sun, Margaritas, . . . and Estate Tax Changes?!
Stacey spotlights the mechanics of Washington’s new estate tax changes through several scenarios, urging a beach-read rethink of your plans this fall.
What is a “Crummey Trust”? (Hint: It’s Better Than It Sounds)
Sounds like a bad idea, but a Crummey Trust is your ticket to gifting up to $19,000 tax-free per beneficiary in 2025 – via a sly “Crummey Letter” granting a temporary withdrawal right that most folks ignore, keeping assets safely tucked in an irrevocable trust. Marisa reveals how this tool shrinks your taxable estate while spoiling loved ones long-term.
In a stunning scheme, defendants allegedly exploited Washington’s probate loopholes to file 213 probates from 2019 to 2024, siphoning assets while dodging heir notifications. Stacey spotlights the red flags and arms you with three estate planning steps to nominate trusted fiduciaries for your assets to sidestep the chaos.
New Federal Estate Tax Law: A Win for Wealth, With a Washington Catch
Trump-era reforms revised the federal estate tax exemption – set at $13.99 million for 2025 – to $15 million per person in 2026, with inflation tweaks and permanence for worry-free wealth transfers. But Washington’s new $3 million cap (or $6 million for couples), effective since July 1, creates a notable state-level hurdle. Marisa maps out tailored strategies to preserve your legacy.
Why Do Probate Attorneys Withdraw?
Probate attorneys rarely withdraw in the middle of administering an estate, but when they do, it’s usually over unpaid bills, toxic rapport, stalled progress, or outright fraud like siphoning estate funds. Stacey unpacks the top four triggers with advice to keep your estate administration smooth and drama-free.
From Shore to Sea: Honoring Loved Ones in Puget Sound
Washington law permits scattering cremated remains in navigable waters like Puget Sound, including from state ferries, so long as remains are placed in certified biodegradable containers. Similarly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows ashes to be scattered offshore at least three nautical miles out, provided EPA reporting follows within 30 days. Marisa explains how to document these preferences in your estate plan for clarity and peace of mind.
A recent Ohio court case revoked an elderly attorney’s will, drafted in 2020, after his caregiver son blocked private attorney meetings – raising red flags of undue influence. Echoing her 2022 post on why no one should “do” estate planning for another person, Stacey highlights the dangers of third-party interference and offers steps to protect your true intentions.
Removing Pregnancy Language from Washington Health Care Directives
For decades, Washington’s statutory form essentially forced women to suspend their Health Care Directives during pregnancy. Now, thanks to House Bill 1215 signed in April 2025, that statutory language is gone – empowering women to decide how pregnancy should be addressed if they are terminally ill. Stacey explains the shift and how it brings choice to your planning.
Phone: (206) 784-5305
