Step-Up in Tax Basis at Death
At death, there is a little-known tax benefit that the federal government provides. It is an adjustment to tax basis and it can have a profound effect on the taxation…
Property Sale Strategy: Selling Property with the Real Estate Contract
If a person proposes to sell real property (land, house, buildings, etc.), the best option is to receive a full cash offer. In this case, whether some or all of…
Savor the Simplicity of the Community Property Agreement
As one year comes to an end and another begins, it’s worth taking stock of your estate plan and ponder whether Washington State’s Community Property Agreement is right for you.…
Disclaimer Trusts
Why in the world would I write about such an esoteric issue as the “Disclaimer Trust?” Simply put, it is one of the best and most frequently used trusts by…
Simplifying Life and Administration after Life
Above all else, two issues impact the complexity and time and cost of the administration of a person’s estate more than the rest: the assets and the heirs. One of…
Do I Need A Trust?
One of the most commonly fielded questions by estate planning attorneys is “Do I need a Trust?” What kind of trust? There are many, many, many different kinds of trusts.…
Buy-out of a Deceased Owner’s Share of the Company
Organizational documents are imperative for entrepreneurs starting a business. This article digs a little deeper into a specific issue that comes up in the organizational documents: the buy-out of a…
Preparing for College – Funding with a 529 College Savings Plan or a Testamentary Trust?
At this time of year when high school students apply to the colleges of their dreams and matriculates return to their studies, it is important to consider your own situation…
Happy family in corn field. Family standing in corn field an looking at sun rise
Business Succession Strategy: The Family Farm LLC
As the center of Washington’s agricultural empire, it is important to recognize the planning opportunities afforded the Washington farmer in the Tri-Cities. This article explores the use of the family…
Strategies to Avoid Probate
Few words evoke such strong negative imagery as the term “probate.” For most people, they are not sure exactly what probate entails, but they know they want to avoid it…
