Estate planning is a crucial process that involves preparing for the distribution of one’s assets and properties after death. It is essential for residents of Bellevue, Washington, to have a comprehensive estate plan that reflects their unique needs and goals. Here are the five main components of estate planning that Bellevue residents should consider.

• Wills and Trusts
• Power of Attorney
• Advance Directives
• Beneficiary Designations
• Tax Planning

Wills and Trusts:

A will is a legal document that outlines how you want your assets to be distributed after your passing. A trust, on the other hand, is a legal entity that can hold and manage your assets during your lifetime and after your death. Both wills and trusts can help ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and minimize the likelihood of legal disputes. 

Power of Attorney:

A power of attorney is a legal document that authorizes someone to act on your behalf if you are unable to do so. There are two types of power of attorney: financial power of attorney and medical power of attorney. A financial power of attorney allows someone to manage your financial affairs, while a medical power of attorney allows someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.

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Advance Directives:

Advance directives are legal documents that outline your wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care. This includes documents such as living wills and healthcare proxies. Advance directives can help ensure that your wishes regarding medical treatment are respected, even if you are unable to communicate them yourself.

Beneficiary Designations:

Beneficiary designations are instructions you give to financial institutions, such as banks and insurance companies, about who should receive your assets upon your death. It is important to ensure that beneficiary designations are up-to-date and consistent with your overall estate plan.

Tax Planning:

Estate tax planning involves minimizing the taxes owed on your assets after your death. In Bellevue, Washington, the state estate tax threshold in 2023 is $2.193 million, and the federal estate tax threshold is $12.92 million. A skilled estate planning attorney can help you develop strategies to minimize estate taxes and ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes.

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Conclusion:

Estate planning is a crucial process that involves preparing for the distribution of one’s assets and properties after their demise. For residents of Bellevue, Washington, a comprehensive estate plan should include wills and trusts, power of attorney, advance directives, beneficiary designations, and tax planning. Working with a skilled estate planning attorney can help ensure that your estate plan reflects your unique needs and goals and provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Interested in learning more about our services? Visit our website for more information, or schedule a free consultation with Robert to receive a personalized quote.

Service Areas:

Eastside Estate Planning is dedicated to providing estate planning, last will, and trusts services to individuals and families in the following areas:

Bellevue | Redmond | Monroe | Duvall

If you reside in any of these locations and are in need of professional estate planning assistance, we are here to help. Robert is committed to delivering personalized and top-quality estate planning solutions to clients within these cities. Contact us today to discuss your estate planning needs and secure the future of your assets.

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