Your Estate Plan Doesn’t Know You’re Getting Divorced
Filing for divorce doesn’t change your estate plan. Your soon-to-be-ex may still hold medical, financial, and inheritance rights until you update it.
WA State Supreme Court Authorizes Legata to Deliver Legal Services.
First-of-its-kind authorization positions Legata to address a significant gap in access to estate planning legal services for Washington families
First Entity Authorized to Provide Legal Services in Innovative Pilot Project
The Washington Supreme Court (Court) today authorized the first participant in its Entity Regulation Pilot Project, which is a time-bound, data-driven study to determine if new service models—that are not allowed under current regulations—can meaningfully expand access to legal services while protecting consumers.
Inside WA’s Bet on Regulated Innovation: Legata Wins First Supreme Court Authorization
Under a WSBA-vetted compliance officer and quarterly bar reporting, Legata becomes the first company authorized to deliver estate planning legal services under Washington’s new regulatory pilot.
Considering “Moving Out” of Washington to avoid Estate Tax?
In my line of work, I frequently hear from people who want to keep a home in Washington but not be a Washington resident because they’re concerned about the Washington state tax environment. Washington has no state income tax, but it does have an excise tax on capital gains, and one of the most expansive estate tax programs in the nation.
Estate Planning Review Before Travel
Travel planning typically includes arranging flights, accommodations, and excursions; creating itineraries, and purchasing travel insurance. Yet one of the most important forms of preparation is often overlooked: reviewing and completing an estate plan before departure.
The Hardest Part of Estate Planning Isn’t the Paperwork
Most people think estate planning is about documents. Wills. Trusts. Powers of attorney. Beneficiary forms. Sign here. Initial there.
The Hidden Estate Tax Trap for Massachusetts Couples
Every person can pass on a certain amount of their estate tax-free when they die. That’s the estate tax exemption. Anything under it? Not taxed. Anything over it? Potentially taxed. Straightforward so far.
California Probate is the Hefty Cost Often Overlooked
In California, all assets that do not have a built-in transfer mechanism defined at death (real estate, personal property without prearranged transfer, financial accounts without a beneficiary, business interests, etc.) are subject to probate. In California, probate is not just a formality. It is a court-supervised process that is expensive, time-consuming, and completely avoidable with the right planning.
The Hidden Estate Tax Trap for Washington Couples
Most couples in Washington (and similar states) lose a major tax benefit without ever realizing it. Here’s how a properly drafted joint revocable Trust protects both spouses’ exemptions, and keeps more of your wealth in the family instead of the state’s coffers.