Planning For Yourself Archives » Northwest Elder Law Group

20 May, 2020

Is Your Estate Plan Up To Date?

2021-04-15T11:29:37-07:00May 20th, 2020|Categories: Estate Planning, Planning For Yourself|

We have heard from many of our clients that the current COVID-19 crisis has spurred them to reflect and rethink their priorities. These are some simple steps that you can take make sure your estate plan is up to date. Put estate planning on your to-do list If you have been putting off getting your Will and Durable Powers of Attorney completed, now is a good time to get started. Most estate planning attorneys are able to help despite the COVID-19 restrictions. In our office, the initial work is done remotely. When it is time for documents to be ...

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19 July, 2018

Why You Need To Review And Update Beneficiary Designations

2020-05-22T19:32:45-07:00July 19th, 2018|Categories: Estate Planning, Planning For Yourself, Wills|

A typical benefit at many jobs is a life insurance policy. On one of the first days on the job you might have completed a related beneficiary designation. Open a bank account, an investment account or buy a private life insurance policy and you have also completed these fields whether you remember who you listed or not. Beneficiary designations often go neglected. What many people do not realize is that these payable-on-death accounts pass outside of a will and probate. Because of this you need to review them for accuracy during the estate planning process. Washington State law related to ...

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20 November, 2017

Taking Care Of Business In The New Year

2020-05-22T19:34:41-07:00November 20th, 2017|Categories: Elder Care, Elder Mediation, Estate Planning, Planning For Your Loved Ones, Planning For Yourself, Wills|

With the New Year comes New Year’s resolutions. Though these goals are made with the best intentions, come March, they have often slipped your mind. But making plans for the future, taking control of a situation or navigating challenging conversations should never just be a temporary goal that gets pushed aside. This year, think about whether your plans are in place – both for yourself and your loved ones. Make sure you have everything taken care of and that it’s legally binding. Whether it’s having the conversation you’ve been avoiding or finally sitting down and putting your wishes into writing, ...

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22 September, 2012

What Single People Need To Know About Estate Planning

2020-05-22T19:54:42-07:00September 22nd, 2012|Categories: Estate Planning, Planning For Yourself|

Seattle has one of the highest rates of single-person households of any major city in the United States. If you're among this population, there are some important things about estate planning you need to know. Many people make the mistake of thinking that estate planning is necessary only if you have a spouse or children. In reality, estate planning is important for everyone. In addition to passing on your assets after death, estate plans are also vital tools for ensuring that you are protected if an injury or illness leaves you incapacitated. Here are a few ways in which ...

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12 May, 2012

Pets and Probate

2020-05-22T19:55:12-07:00May 12th, 2012|Categories: Estate Planning, Pets, Planning For Yourself, Probate|

I am the proud human companion to two wonderful rescue dogs, a Labrador retriever named Kix and a Beagle named Baxter. For many of us, we consider our pets to be part of our family. Yet, oftentimes, pets are not considered when we make our estate plans. In Washington, pets are considered property and in the absence of a document directing their disposition, pets pass to your heirs. This is frequently not the option that pet owners prefer and, with a little bit of planning, you can take steps to ensure that your pet will be taken care of ...

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24 March, 2012

What Estate Planning Documents Can Be Used To Carry Out My Wishes After My Death?

2020-05-22T19:55:27-07:00March 24th, 2012|Categories: Estate Planning, Planning For Yourself|

After a person dies, his assets will be distributed based upon beneficiary designations and documents such as a Will or Living Trust. Some married couples may have a Community Property Agreement. Probate of an estate may or may not be necessary. Beneficiary Designations (Or Payable-On-Death, Transfer On Death Designations) Investment accounts, IRAs, 401K accounts, annuities, and life insurance policies typically have beneficiary designations. Accounts are sometimes designated as Payable on Death (POD) or Transfer on Death (TOD). These designations take precedence over a Will. It is therefore very important to know what beneficiary designations have been made, and to keep ...

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7 January, 2012

What Are The Essential Documents That I Need To Have In Place In Case I Become Incapacitated?

2020-05-22T19:55:41-07:00January 7th, 2012|Categories: End-Of-Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Planning For Yourself|

All adults should have a Durable General Power of Attorney (sometimes called a Durable Power of Attorney for Finances), a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions, (sometimes called a Health Care Proxy) and an Advance Directive to Physicians (or Living Will). Some people should also have a POLST - Physician's Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment. Durable General Power Of Attorney This document, sometimes called a Durable Power of Attorney for Finances, names a person to handle your financial affairs if you are incapacitated. You are the "principal" and the person you name is the "attorney-in-fact" or "agent." In ...

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10 November, 2011

Give Your Loved Ones Important Information about You

2020-05-22T19:55:59-07:00November 10th, 2011|Categories: Estate Planning, Planning For Your Loved Ones, Planning For Yourself|

These days, it seems like everyone I know is interested in genealogy. In a recent post, we talked about creating a letter of instruction giving your loved ones the necessary information needed to handle your affairs. At the same time, why not write down the important information about you and your family that future generations would be interested in? Here is a suggested list, but feel free to add historical or personal information that you think others would want to know about you. My legal name Other names I have been known by Date of birth Social Security Number Place ...

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