Gig Harbor Estate Planning And Probate Blog

A quick primer on the basics of trusts in estate planning

On behalf of Gordon & Alvestad, PLLC on Tuesday, September 18, 2018.

A trust is a way that people can transfer assets to others without having to go through the probate process. There are many different types, each of which serves a specific purpose. You have to think about what needs to go to whom and determine how they might be affected by the inheritance. In some cases, such as when a person receives needs-based services like Medicaid, a special needs trust is necessary.

If you are considering adding trusts to your estate plan, you need to understand some aspects of the process. This information will help you choose an appropriate trust for the goals of your estate.

Review commercial leases carefully before signing

On behalf of Gordon & Alvestad, PLLC on Monday, August 20, 2018.

Finding a home for your business can be a real challenge. You might not be ready to buy a property, so you will have to find somewhere to lease. This is a bit different than residential leasing. Think about some different points as you are evaluating the possibilities for your company.

Your work is going to start before you even begin looking for a place to lease. Here are a few to get you started:

Estate planning concerns: Is your child irresponsible with money?

On behalf of Gordon & Alvestad, PLLC on Friday, July 20, 2018.

Imagine you have a $10 million investment account, but your child has never had more than a couple thousand dollars in his or her checking account, and every other week he or she is asking for a handout. You love your child until the end of the earth, but you're worried about whether he or she is fiscally responsible enough to manage such a large amount of investments.

If you find yourself in a circumstance like this, you might want to consider the creation of a spendthrift trust. A spendthrift trust essentially offers a way to protect your heirs from themselves and their poor money habits.

Single parents: Make a solid estate plan to protect your children

On behalf of Gordon & Alvestad, PLLC on Wednesday, June 20, 2018.

One of the biggest fears of single parents is that something will happen to them and they won't be around to raise their children. As horrific as this situation would be, it is actually a thought that can lead to positive action. Single parents need to be sure that they have a comprehensive estate plan.

The primary reason for you to have an estate plan set is so that you can ensure your children will have a good quality of life if something happens to you. There are a few components that you need to think about if you are a single parent. Here are a few to get you started:

Part of handling an estate is paying the decedent's debts

On behalf of Gordon & Alvestad, PLLC posted in blog on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.

As a country, America has around $13 trillion in debt. People who are 45 to 54 years old have the highest debt average at $134,600. This brings up a point that many people might not think about very often -- the status of debts when a person dies. This can be a difficult thing to handle when you lose a loved one.

There are a few different things to remember about debts of a decedent. If you are charged with handling the estate after your loved one dies, you should make sure that you understand these.

Sound estate planning is important to prevent legal confusion

On behalf of Gordon & Alvestad, PLLC posted in blog on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

The more money your estate holds, the more complicated things will be for your heirs after you die, especially if you die without an estate plan. This is why it's essential for individuals who have substantial assets to create a rock-solid plan that will be followed after their deaths.

Estates in Washington that don't have any kind of estate plans associated with them could be substantially diminished in probate proceedings while relatives argue over who gets what. The ongoing, two-year estate battle regarding the late pop musician Prince's estate that's playing out in another state is proof of just how bad things can get.

When families argue: The issue of the contested will

On behalf of Gordon & Alvestad, PLLC posted in blog on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.

When individuals create a will, they expect that it is going to be followed. In many cases, the estate will go through probate without any issues. There are other instances in which a person who has an interest in the estate will question the will. This might lead to a contested will.

There are only certain situations that can lead to someone challenging a will. It isn't possible for some random person to decide that he or she wants to hold up the distribution of an estate and file a will challenge. Here are some points to know about when a will contest is legal.

A trust-planning checklist for your special needs child

On behalf of Gordon & Alvestad, PLLC posted in blog on Wednesday, February 21, 2018.

When you have a special needs child, setting up a trust to pay for your child's needs in the event of your death or incapacitation is virtually a necessity. No matter what your financial situation happens to be, a special needs trust can be enormously beneficial for your child.

First, your special needs trust will allow for the disbursement of funds to your child to finance his or her care without affecting your child's eligibility for vital government benefits. Second, even if you're not wealthy, you can finance the trust with a life insurance policy.

Commercial leases require negotiation and attention to detail

On behalf of Gordon & Alvestad, PLLC posted in blog on Monday, January 22, 2018.

A commercial lease is necessary for business owners who don't own a property but need a space to house the business. These leases aren't as simple as residential leases so you must give great attention to the details.

There are several points that you need to remember when you are negotiating and reviewing a commercial lease. Here are a few to get you started:

Are you ready to create your estate plan?

On behalf of Gordon & Alvestad, PLLC posted in Estate Planning on Thursday, December 21, 2017.

Protecting your estate may take many forms, depending on your particular needs and the goals that you prioritize. However, some pieces of wisdom apply to anyone creating or maintaining an estate plan.

If it's been some time since you revisited your estate plan, or if you're considering making your first plan soon, be sure to take time to research just what tools are available. You may find that you have more options than you realize.