How to file probate in Washington State is an issue families deal with every day. The probate process can be very complex. An estate can have added complexity when: the value of assets is high, when the number and amount of debts carried by the estate are high, when many heirs are involved, or when […]
Category Archives: Probate Law
If someone close to you is terminally ill or has recently passed away, or if you’re trying to make arrangements regarding your own affairs after you die, you may be trying to grasp the significance of the process known as “probate.” Probate governs the distribution of a deceased person’s assets in many situations; the role […]
While the steps in administering an estate in Washington State can be complex, it’s not too difficult provided you have proper legal representation to assist you throughout the process. At Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, we have many years of experience in assisting our clients with estate law and proper estate planning. Here is a broad […]
How much does probate cost in Washington State? The cost varies on the size and nature of the estate. Unlike that of some other states, Washington state law does not provide for the amount of commission or fees to be based on the value of the estate. Probate law covers what happens with a deceased […]
If you’re responsible for an estate where the deceased passed away with fewer assets than financial liabilities, you’ll want to know, what does an insolvent estate mean? When you think of administering an estate after someone dies, you likely think of handing out their money and property to family members according to their Last Will […]
How can a living trust help avoid probate? It’s a legal document that might be the right choice for you and your family if avoiding probate is a priority. Most of us don’t like to think about what will happen to our family after we die, but we like having control and doing the right […]
When you make a legally binding will and testament, you decide who gets your money, real property, and other assets after you die. But what happens if you die without a will in Washington? By law, the state decides who gets your assets through what is called “intestate succession.” Thus, when you die without a […]
In order to administer someone‘s estate, the personal representative must first understand the nature and amount of assets and property that needs to be distributed. Taking inventory of assets is one of the first and most important–yet often complicated–tasks in the probate process. While some assets or property may be specifically mentioned in a will, […]
Death, while inevitable, is a topic that most people avoid. Even those who have developed a plan for their estate may have assets or liabilities that will still require attention after they pass away. Common examples include: paying taxes, settling debts, gathering the assets and determining proper distribution. Often times, these responsibilities are left to […]
When you think of going to court, you likely think of doling out thousands of dollars in legal fees and costs. For this reason, you may assume that probate is always expensive and you may even be worried that it will significantly diminish the value of the estate. The truth is that probate does not […]