Legal Services

Estate Planning & Will Services

A Last Will and Testament may rest quietly for decades until revealed and called into action at the time of death. The Will gives guidance and direction to the surviving family members and friends. Even during lifetime, a completed Last Will and Testament may provide peace of mind and greater assurance to a client that his worldly affairs are in order. Parents may rest assured that the guardianship and trust provisions will provide for the care of their most treasured possessions - their child - in the event of a disaster.

A Last Will and Testament usually contains the legal declaration of a person’s wishes concerning his/her estate upon death.

The Will may include provisions which nominate an executor, divide property, name heirs, make gifts to charity, nominate a guardian for minor children or establish a trust to manage the inheritance of a child.

     Puget Sound Law offers Simple Wills and Basic Wills on a flat fee basis, and more sophisticated or complex documents are prepared for a reasonable hourly rate. Discounts may be available to couples.

     For those clients with more substantial estates, Puget Sound Law can assist with the preservation of assets for future generations through the use of Wills, Trusts, and Federal Gift & Estate Tax Planning.

    Many clients have already thought about having a Last Will and Testament prepared before they ever enter the attorney's office, but estate planning may include other documents and address other needs.

   Planning ahead for the event of a physical or mental incapacity may be needed by preparing a Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Affairs.

     Clients may desire to memorialize health care decisions in the event of a terminal illness or an eminent death. Puget Sound Law can help clients ensure that health care decisions are followed and respected by preparing a Health Care Directive (also known as Living Wills) and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.

More information and terms related to Estate Planning and Probate can be found in the Resources section of this site.

Probate & Estate Settlement Services

     Estate Settlement may include probate, administering a trust, or other alternative procedures. The process and steps necessary often depends upon the circumstances of each estate, such as the type of value of the assets, the heirs, and whether there is a will or trust.

     What is Probate?

     Probate is the legal court proceeding for finalizing the affairs and settling the estate of a person who has died and transferring legal ownership of property to the proper heirs when an owner dies. Probate ensures that the decease person's heirs are located and property is distributed after any outstanding debts are satisfied. This process can protect the heirs and estate from unknown liabilities.

     Whether or not a probate is necessary depends on the circumstances surrounding each estate, and is not determined just by the size of an estate. Many factors, including the value and nature of assets and the relationship of the survivors to the deceased, will determine whether probate is appropriate. Washington State has one of the simplest probate procedures in the country. A personal representative who has been granted nonintervention powers by the court may settle the affairs of the decedent's estate in a prompt and economical manner.

     Probate proceedings often include admitting the Will to probate, determining the heirs of the estate, settling debts of the decedent and the expenses of administration, and distributing and transferring the property of the estate to the rightful heirs.

     Puget Sound Law can assist the personal representative of an estate by providing the necessary court forms, making court appearances before the probate judge, evaluating claims against the estate, helping with tax matters, setting up a trust, advising the personal representative on the proper course of action concerning the many issues that can arise during the probate process so that a fair and proper transfer of assets is made after the death of a family member or loved one.

     Due to the nature of probate proceedings and the differences between estates, unknown factors and circumstances may arise during the probate process, therefore all probate work is handled on an hourly basis. However, Puget Sound Law strives to ensure that probate services are affordable and offers varying degrees of assistance, ranging from minimal assistance with court procedures to full assistance with the probate proceeding, management of the estate assets, debts, and heirs, and making final distribution.

     More information and terms related to Probate and Estate Planning can be found in the Resources section of this site.

Small & Family Business Services

   Puget Sound Law's Small Business services assist family or small groups of individuals establish and maintain successful small or family owned businesses.

     Initial representation includes selecting the appropriate business entity, whether a "Subchapter S" Corporation, LLC, or Partnership, and forming the business entity itself, by providing founding documents, such as ownership agreements, operating agreements, articles of incorporation, by-laws, registration and licensing with Washington State, King County, regional cities, and Federal agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service.

     On going representation includes conducting annual meetings, acting as registered agent with the Washington State Secretary of State, and providing a central point for advising clients on the variety of problems and issues that may arise during the operation of a small business.

     More information and terms related to Small and Family Businesses can be found in the Resources section of this site.

700 N 75th St, Seattle WA 98103

Phn: 206-285-3361 Fax: 206-374-2430

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This page was last updated on 10/29/2006.