Best Estate Planning Attorneys in Bellingham, WA

For major changes, executing an entirety new Last Will and Testament is the most efficient way to make those changes. Once a new Will has been signed into effect, you would simply destroy the original copy of your previous Last Will and Testament. For minor changes, executing a Codicil to your Last Will and Testament is the most efficient way to make those changes. A Codicil can change a part of your existing Will or add a whole new provision. For more information on Wills, click here to access the Washington State Bar website.

A Durable Power of Attorney authorizes another person to act on your behalf legally. You can grant someone a very narrow power of attorney, such as the power to sell a particular item, or very broad power, such as complete control of all your property. A Durable Power of Attorney ensures that, in the event you are incapacitated or unable to make decisions about your financial affairs or medical options, a designated person can attend to your financial or medical obligations.

Probate is a court-supervised legal process that determines the validity of the Last Will and Testament, gathers any assets, pays any debts or taxes and then distributes any remaining assets to the beneficiaries. If there is no Last Will and Testament, the court will distribute your assets according to the Washington laws of inheritance. Probate proceedings protect all those who have an interest in your property, such as immediate family, joint tenants, creditors and taxing authorities. In the state of Washington, any estate worth more than $100,000 or owning any real property must go through probate proceedings before any assets can be distributed.