A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that outlines your wishes regarding the distribution of your assets and the care of any minor children after your death. It serves as a crucial component of estate planning, ensuring that your personal and financial matters are handled according to your preferences.
A will provides clear, legally recognized instructions, reducing the likelihood of disputes among beneficiaries. It also provides peace of mind, knowing that your wishes will be honored and that your loved ones will be taken care of. Without a will, your estate will be distributed according to state intestacy laws, which may not align with your wishes. This could result in unintended beneficiaries, guardians, or other complications and expenses.
A Revocable Living Trust is a flexible and powerful estate planning tool that allows you to manage your assets during your lifetime and efficiently transfer them to your beneficiaries upon your death. As the name implies, it is a trust that you can alter or revoke at any time while you are still alive, giving you control and adaptability over your estate.
One of the primary benefits of a revocable living trust is that it allows your estate to bypass the probate process, which can be time-consuming, costly, and public. Assets held in the trust are transferred directly to your beneficiaries according to your instructions. This is particularly helpful where an individual owns real property in another state(s). Also, unlike a will, which becomes a public document during probate, a revocable living trust remains private. This means that the details of your estate and the distribution of your assets are not disclosed to the public.
A Community Property Agreement is a legal document that allows married couples to streamline the transfer of property upon the death of one spouse. This agreement automatically converts all separate and community property of the spouses into community property, ensuring that upon the death of one spouse, the property transfers directly to the surviving spouse without the need for probate.
The agreement simplifies the estate planning process for married couples by ensuring a seamless transfer of assets, reducing legal fees and administrative burdens. Both spouses must agree to and sign the community property agreement, reflecting their mutual consent to convert their property into community property and allow for its direct transfer upon death. A community property agreement can be revoked or amended at any time by mutual consent of both spouses. This allows for flexibility if circumstances or intentions change.
A Financial Power of Attorney is a legal document that grants a trusted individual, known as the "agent" or "attorney-in-fact," the authority to manage your financial affairs on your behalf. This document is crucial for ensuring that your financial matters are handled according to your wishes if you become unable to manage them yourself due to illness, injury, or absence.
A Medical Power of Attorney, also known as a Healthcare Power of Attorney, is a legal document that grants a trusted individual the authority to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself. This ensures that your medical treatment preferences are followed even when you cannot communicate them.
A Healthcare Directive, also known as an Advance Directive or Living Will, is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care in the event you are unable to communicate your decisions yourself. This document ensures that your healthcare wishes are known and respected, providing guidance to your family and healthcare providers during difficult times.
Step 1: Watch the Estate Planning Overview Webinar (contact us for a link) and complete the initial Estate Planning Profile
Step 2: Planning Meeting to discuss your estate planning needs, circumstances, and strategy
Step 3: Sign your client agreement, make payment, and complete your Client Questionnaire
Step 4: Design Meeting to review your Client Questionnaire and to answer follow-up questions
Step 5: Review draft estate planning documents and Review Meeting to discuss the drafts, make changes, and answer questions
Step 6: Signing Meeting to electronically sign your estate planning documents
Bryce Mackay
Partner | [email protected]
Bryce was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and raised in Bellevue, Washington. He and his family are thrilled to call the Wenatchee Valley home. With extensive experience in estate planning and probate work, Bryce helps families prepare for the most difficult stages of life. He also works with small businesses as outside general counsel to work through their formation, contract, and risk mitigation needs. Away from the office Bryce enjoys all types of sports, spending time with his wife and kids, serving through his church and throughout the community, and optimistically cheering on his beloved Seahawks and Mariners.
Bryce earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Brigham Young University in 2007, and his Juiris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2010, graduating cum laude. He served as an Associate Editor for the Gonzaga Law Review and received the CALI Award for Academic Excellence in Legal Research & Writing. His professional memberships and court admissions include the Washington State Bar Association, Chelan-Douglas County Bar Association, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, and the North Central Washington Estate Planning Council.
Clint Williams
Partner | [email protected]
Clint's practice primarily focusses on estate planning, business, and real estate matters. Along with his legal practice, Clint is an Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps. Outside the office, Clint and his family enjoy riding horses and fixing up their century-old home.
Clint earned his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Utah and received his law degree from Washington & Lee University School of Law, graduating with honors. Clint served as an editor for the Washington & Lee Law Review and served as President of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. His professional memberships and court admissions include the Washington State Bar Association, State Bar of Texas (Inactive), Chelan-Douglas County Bar Association, and the North Central Washington Estate Planning Council.
Becky Woods
Legal Assistant | [email protected]
Becky has more than thirty years of experience as a legal assistant with extensive experience with estate planning, probate, and business formations and transactions.
She has worked for businesses operating in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Hawaii, and British Columbia. Outside of work, Becky and her husband Steve are world travelers. She loves everywhere from Vegas to Europe, tropical locales, and has snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef.
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Office Locations
Wenatchee | 303 S. Mission St., Ste. 300, Wenatchee, WA 98801
Bellevue | 1400 112th Ave. SE,
Bellevue, WA 98004
Spokane | 601 W. 1st Avenue,
Spokane, WA 99201
Contact Information
Phone | 509.293.5300
Email | [email protected]
NOTICE: The information obtained from this website is not, nor is intended to be legal advice. Communicating with us by phone, fax, or email is not confidential unless one of our attorneys agrees to represent you.