Top best Estate Planning Lawyers Near me in ZIP 98004

The only thing that really matters is who you love. After thirty years as an estate planning and probate attorney, that’s one thing that I know for sure! Yes, we’ll ask you about the money, the tax planning, the way your retirement and life insurance are designated, who gets your jewelry and shop equipment. But we always circle back to the issue of why those things are important. Who do you love, and how should they be cared for if when you are gone? What is the best tax advantaged way to care for those people?. Everybody has a Will. The state legislature wrote one for you. It’s called the Intestacy Statute. The state’s Will everywhere in the US gives money to youngsters when they turn 18. The State’s Will won’t give money to charities. It might provide for your parents, but maybe not. The State has to presume that you didn’t trust anyone to handle your affairs without being supervised, because if you had trusted someone, you would have told us. The result is that if you don’t have a Will, the Courts will supervise every move that your Executor makes. The Executor can’t sell the house without the Court reviewing all the offers. She can’t clean out your home or have a garage sale without an order from the Court.. Our goal is to help you identify your wishes, and then draft documents that capture your heart, planning in a way that gives you the best estate tax planning, maximizing your gifts.. We are located in the heart of Bellevue, WA and our office is easily accessible to King County areas of Seattle, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Renton, Issaquah, Bothell, Mill Creek and Redmond.. Madeline Gauthier is a graduate of Gonzaga University Law School and the University of Florida's Graduate Tax Program. She is formerly an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Washington. Her private practice opened in Bellevue, WA in 1992, where she has specialized in estate planning, probate and the tax complications of both of those areas.. Memberships include the East King County Estate Planning Council (formerly a board member), the East King County Bar Association (previously a board member), the King County Bar Association, and the East King County Bar Probate, and Estate Section (currently chair).

The firm emphasizes services in estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, guardianship and elder law matters (including Medicaid eligibility issues), corporate, limited liability company and business matters, and federal and state taxation, including tax controversy matters.. Admitted to Bar,Washingtonand United States District Courts, Western District of Washington (1977);United StatesTax Court (1979); andUnited StatesClaims Court(1986). Education: Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois (B.A., 1972; M.S. 1973); Seattle University School of Law (J.D., 1976); Boston University (L.L.M.-Taxation, 1980); Member: Washington State, Seattle-King County and East King County (Member, Taxation, Elder Law and Real Property, Probate and Trust Sections) Bar Associations; Seattle Estate Planning Council and East King County Estate Planning Council. Past director and officer: United Cerebral Palsy Association of King-Snohomish Counties and Washington Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.

Shanece M. Dedeaux Esq. is a dedicated attorney in the Greater Seattle area, specializing in Estate Planning, Family Law, and Criminal Law with a focus on post-conviction relief. Raised in South Seattle, she graduated Cum Laude from Seattle University School of Law. Shanece is known for her passionate advocacy and community engagement, educating and empowering the Black community on critical legal issues across Seattle.. In recognition of her exceptional legal prowess, Shanece has earned the prestigious title of "2023 Rising Star," a designation enjoyed by only 2.5% of attorneys in Washington state.

Sara Kiviat Berkenwald is a member with the law firm of Ogden Murphy Wallace, PLLC, where she specializes in the areas of estate planning, trust administration, probate, taxation and charitable giving.. Sara received her bachelor's degree from the University of Washington (with Honors), her law degree and master's in Business Administration from Seattle University School of Law (JD/MBA) and her LL.M (Taxation) from the University of Washington School of Law. Prior to joining OMW, Sara was a Shareholder with the law firm of Jeppesen Gray Sakai PS, an associate with the law firm of Somers Tamblyn Isenhour Bleck, PLLC in the areas of elder law and special needs trust planning.

Practice areas: tax, business and estate planning. Advise owners of all types of businesses concerning the formation of new business entities, the acquisition of other businesses or strategic business assets, and the sale or dissolution of the business. Counsel clients in the preparation and negotiation of general business contracts, entity structure, and issues relating to corporate governance. Personal estate planning. Advise and prepare wills, trusts, family gifting entities, durable powers of attorney, property agreements, and other estate planning documents. Practice ranges from basic planning for young families to complex trusts, family LLCs, family business succession planning, and charitable giving. Prepare and advise clients regarding estate and gift tax returns.

Our firm provides counsel regarding business formation and governance, estate planning, estate administration and real estate transactions. Established in 1991, we have represented hundreds of business and individual clients in the greater Northwest region.

My  practice includes real estate law and  business entity selection, formation and maintenance.  I also assist clients with guardianships and estate planning matters such as probate, wills and trusts, and estate and gift tax planning.. Outside of my practice I enjoy hiking, attempting to snowboard, and spending time with my family, friends and two pets.

My practice emphasizes estate planning (Wills, Trusts, Tax planning, Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives); probate; real estate and business. The most enjoyable parts of the practice of law for me are the opportunties to get to know the many interesting people I meet, work with them to solve their legal situations and problems and help them plan their personal and business legal matters.
The best way to reach me is to call me at.

Laura Zeman is the principal attorney with Zeman Law Group PLLC.  She focuses on counseling and assisting individuals and families with their legal needs. Laura advises clients on wills and trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, and probate and trust administration.

Kristina focuses her practice on personal planning for high net worth individuals and family groups and their closely held business and investment entities and trusts. She is experienced in preparing wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives (“living wills”), burial instructions, life insurance trusts, charitable and personal residence trusts, gift trusts, beneficiary designations for life insurance and retirement plans, and prenuptial and cohabitation agreements. Kristina also has experience creating and advising nonprofit entities, including applying for and receiving tax exempt status from the IRS, as well as probate and trust administration expertise. In addition, Kristina is experienced in tax planning for . citizens and residents and U.S. citizens holding property or residing outside of the United States. She was a past Vice President for the Washington chapter of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (“STEP”), an international organization of estate planning professionals, and is currently a member of the Seattle Estate Planning Council and the East King County Estate Planning Council. Kristina is a member of the Washington and Illinois Bars and has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court. She graduated cum laude in Theatre from Arizona State University, and holds dual law degrees from Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago, where she earned her Juris Doctor and her LL.M. in Taxation. Prior to joining Smith & Zuccarini, P.S., Kristina was a tax associate at the Canadian firm, Moody’s LLP Tax Advisors in Calgary, Canada, and an associate at Stoel Rives, LLP in Seattle, Washington

Jerimy Kirschner is the owner and managing partner of Kirschner Rychlick PLLC serving clients in and around Bellevue, WA. He has been in practice since 2010 and opened his own practice in 2015. Mr. Kirschner has achieved excellent results for his clients in the areas of business disputes, elder law, estate planning, probate, real estate law, tax planning, personal injury, and other civil litigation.With every decision in any legal matter, Mr. Kirschner focuses on maximizing value to the client while communicating the pros and cons of each decision. He lays out the tools available for solving problems and helps clients select the most effective and cost-efficient ones needed to achieve their goals.Mr. Kirschner is a seasoned litigator who has litigated complex matters involving multi-million dollar issues. He has litigated in both state and federal courts.

Janet Gray specializes in the areas of estate planning, probate, taxation and charitable giving. Janet was voted "Super Lawyer 2007" by Washington Law & Poltics Magazine and voted one of Seattle's "Five Star Wealth Managers" 2007 by Seattle Magazine.

A frequent speaker at the Washington State Bar's Annual Estate Planning Seminar, she is a past Executive Committee Member of the Bar's Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, and a member of the Taxation Committee.

In my law practice I draw upon my experience and education to provide representation and counseling to individuals, families, and closely held businesses. My counseling, plan designs, and drafting utilize the Firm's exclusive Real Wealth philosophy and Family Wealth System insuring that the client's goals and expectations are identified and realized throughout their individualized plan.  I enjoy assisting individuals, families and closely held business owners in planning their lives and businesses.  It gives me great joy when I see the planning put in place actually work when called upon whether it be during a disability, following death or a business law suit, proper legal planning will shape the outcomes and protect your hard earned assets. As the old saying goes "Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performence." At Gregorek and Associates we are staffed with dedicated paralegals and attorneys to serve your individual needs in a personalized and comprehensive manner utilizing the best legal means for your situation.

I provide counsel to small businesses owners in an array of matters that include Business Formation, Contract negotiations, Complex commercial transactions, Intellectual Property (Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets) and Commercial litigation. In addition, I assist individuals and families as they navigate through the often complex and emotional process of Estate Planning and Probate law; and advise local area talent in the field of media law relating to Copyright and Right of Publicity.. As a near life-long resident of the the Pacific Northwest, I am an avid fly-fisherman, rock climber and devoted Husky fan. I also enjoy golf and travel. Thank you for visiting my site and I look forward to assisting you.

I have nearly 25 years of teaching, counseling, design and drafting experience in the following practice areas:. Revocable & Irrevocable Trusts. Business Formation and Succession. Deferred Compensation Planning. Probate and Trust Administration. Income and Estate Tax Planning. Estate Litigation. Business Litigation. Real Estate Transactions. Wealth Transfer Planning. Charitable Planning. I reside in Mill Creek, Washington and enjoy traveling, alpine skiing, golf, mountain climbing, marathons, adventure races, and attending concerts and the theatre around Seattle.  I am active in charitable work for Seattle Children's Hospital, The Boy Scouts of America and various other non profit organizations in my local community.

I have called the Pacific Northwest home since before I could speak.  After graduating with a B.A. from the University of Washigton, I attended Seattle University School of Law where I graduated Cum Laude.  Most of my free time is spent outdoors - hiking, golfing or camping. Travel and food are also passions of mine, although, most of my travel revolves around food.

I am a life-long resident of Washington. I have been working in estate planning/ probate practice for nearly 8 years. I enjoy helping clients navigate the estate planning and probate proceses.

I am a compassionate yet zealous advocate for individuals and businesses experiencing legal concerns in a variety of areas. The areas of law I represent my clients in include family law, immigration, special education, bankruptcy, debt defense, real estate, estate planning, employment, and general civil litigation. I also assist small businesses in legal entity formation and litigation. I particularly enjoy helping those impacted by disabilities, whether in the education, employment, or estate planning arena. I am licensed in both Washington state and British Columbia, B.C., and I speak Spanish and some Portuguese and Hindi.

As a practicing attorney for more than 30 years with a Masters in Business Administration, Dan’s practice is focused on business law, and assisting businesses throughout their life cycle with transactional and contractual matters as well as helping business owners and individuals with their estate planning needs. Dan’s goal is to provide practical advice to help his clients document business agreements, solve business and legal problems and, most importantly, stay out of the court room.. Dan counsels new business clients on entity choice formation, associated tax ramifications, equity structuring, and how businesses can avoid many potential disputes through buy/sell, shareholder, and other agreements. He also assists companies in succession planning.. As businesses grow, Dan provides counsel on contractual matters such as employment agreements, confidentiality and non-compete agreements, invention and work for hire agreements, and distribution agreements. He has extensive experience with respect to corporate finance, venture capital financing, securities law, employment, and technology licensing, and routinely advises clients on these matters, as well as reviewing, preparing, and negotiating complex agreements. Dan also assists business clients in mergers, acquisitions, and sale of companies and significant assets.. Dan’s clients include small to medium-sized businesses of all types, as well as physicians and professional groups and practices. By understanding client business objectives, Dan is able to help businesses with directed, strategic legal advice designed to serve their needs over the long term.. Dan also helps individual clients prepare for the distribution of their estates. His estate planning practice is focused on helping clients determine the best method for asset distribution considering estate tax laws, administration costs, and other factors.. Away from the office Dan enjoys playing and following golf, talking sports, attending Husky games, discussing with pride and humor the life experiences of his two sons and the children of his clients and friends, visiting with Whitman college friends and, as one who enjoys the “tasting room experience,” visiting wineries.