1200 5th Avenue, Suite 1550
Seattle, Washington 98101
206-728-5858
Seattle Waterfront
Photo by Jan Engel © 2005
Dubuar, Lirhus & Engel LLP
206-728-5858
The State Wrote Your Will.
(When you weren't looking!)
If you did not write your own will, the state
legislators wrote one for you. You can find the statutory disposition
of your assets in the Revised Code of Washington at section
11.04.015. The law is too long and cumbersome to print in this short
article, but here are some common reasons people prefer to write
their own will. When you write your own will you can:
* Decide who will receive your property;
* Choose a guardian for your minor children;
* Name the person you want to administer your estate after you die;
* Name alternates in case your first choice for a position is not available;
* Create a trust to leave property to a child or someone who may not be able to manage property;
* Eliminate estate taxes through a trust which can save your family from potentially large death taxes;
* Leave something to a charity or non-relative at your death; or
* Waive the necessity of a bond that would otherwise have to be paid
out of your estate.
If you want to control any of these issues, you need to write your own will.
An additional method to accomplish all of the above is by a "living trust." However, even a living trust does not eliminate the need for a will. If any assets did not get transferred into your living trust while you are living, the assets can be transferred into your trust by your will.
If you intend to make your own choices, call your attorney and discuss your wishes. Some attorneys offer an initial conference with you for minimal or no cost.
-DOUGLAS J. ENGEL
(Editor's note: The author is a Seattle attorney who works in the area of estate planning in the Seattle law firm of Dubuar, Lirhus & Engel LLP)
HomeAttorneysStaffAreas
of LawAdoption
The information in this web site is all general information. The information is applicable only to the state of Washington, unless otherwise stated. This general information is not legal advice for your particular circumstances. If you have legal questions you should consult your lawyer.