Wills & estate planning
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You've made it — here's the guidance for your situation.
Estate planning isn't just for wealthy families — it's for anyone who wants their wishes honored and their family spared unnecessary difficulty. For aging parents, getting these documents in place sooner rather than later matters.
What a basic estate plan includes
Will: Who receives your parent's assets and who is responsible for carrying out those wishes Beneficiary designations: Life insurance, retirement accounts, and some bank accounts pass directly to named beneficiaries — outside of the will. These should be reviewed. Power of attorney: Financial authority while your parent is living Healthcare directive: Medical wishes and decision-maker Trust (if applicable): Avoids probate for assets held in the trust
Washington-specific considerations
Washington is a community property state — how assets are titled matters for surviving spouses. Washington has its own estate tax, with an exclusion of $3,000,000 for deaths from July 1, 2026, per the Department of Revenue. Real property in the owner's name alone typically goes through probate unless it passes by a recorded transfer on death deed, joint tenancy with right of survivorship, a community property agreement, or a funded trust.
When to involve an attorney
Always. Estate planning documents are legal instruments and errors can cause real harm. An elder law or estate planning attorney in Washington will know the state-specific rules and can prepare documents that hold up.
Next step: Real Property Planning does not refer clients to attorneys; choose a Washington-licensed estate planning attorney and confirm their license with the Washington State Bar Association (wsba.org).
Find a ProfessionalYour next questions
Is the will up to date?
Wills in Washington: what they do, what they don't, and when they go through probate.
Should we put the house in a child's name?
Wills, trusts, transfer-on-death deeds and adding a child to title, and the tax and Medicaid risks of each.
Which documents should be in place first?
Powers of attorney, health care directives and wills to put in place before a crisis.