Our Philosophy

Dick and Jane create an estate plan. They are married, are both 40 years old, have a net worth of approximately $3M , have 3 children ( 1 of whom is married), have no grandchildren, and own 1 home.

Statistically, their traditional estate planning attorney will never speak to them again after creating their documents. Dick and Jane have the false expectation that their estate plan will automatically adapt to any future changes in their personal lives. As we will see, this is not true.

Dick and Jane sell their home and purchase a new home. Later that year, they purchase a rental property.

Neither of these changes are reflected in their estate plan. This is because a traditional estate planning attorney would not check in with Dick and Jane to ask if anything in their financial lives has changed over the past few years.

Dick and Jane’s children are all married and have their own children.

Their new children in law and grandchildren are not reflected in their estate plan. Dick and Jane have their hands full the last thing they are thinking about is updating their estate plan!

The estate tax law changes. Dick and Jane’s estate now faces a significant tax issue which they know nothing about.

They have not heard from their traditional estate planning attorney in many years. They are completely unaware that their estate plan needs to be modified in order to overcome the financial implications of the changes in the law.

Dick has an accident and becomes incapacitated. Dick has been the one taking care of all administrative and financial matters for the family, which has left Jane feeling overwhelmed and unprepared to handle her new responsibilities.

In the midst of this, Jane has forgotten that they created an estate plan in which she was appointed as Dick’s health care power of attorney. Important decisions will be made regarding his health contrary to her wishes.

Traditional estate planning attorneys do not maintain relationships with their clients. This often results in clients forgetting their roles in their own estate plans.

Nine years have passed since Dick and Jane spoke to their estate planning attorney, who is now retired and no longer practices law.

Because there was no relationship between attorney and client, Jane does not know who to turn to during this difficult time.

Dick passes away. A few months later, Jane remarries Jane’s new spouse, Bob, has children of his own.

Jane’s estate plan is unable to handle these changing circumstances-it was created during a time when her life looked completely different.

If something happens to Jane, Bob will likely inherit Jane’s wealth. This is because Washington is a community property state. A scenario like this can leave Dick and Jane’s children without a family inheritance.

Dick and Jane create an estate plan. They are married, are both 40 years old, have a net worth of approximately $3M , have 3 children ( 1 of whom is married), have no grandchildren, and own 1 home.

We remain in relationship with Dick and Jane, and check in with them annually to ask if anything in their personal lives has changed. This way, their estate plan will always remain current

Dick and Jane sell their home and purchase a new home. Later that year, they purchase a rental property.

Their 2 new properties are now reflected in their estate plan because we are in relationship and check in with them on a yearly basis.

Dick and Jane’s children are all married and have their own children.

Dick and Jane have their hands full-the last thing they are thinking about is updating their estate plan!

However, because we are in relationship, we take the initiative to reach out to them each year, and this life change is now reflected in their estate plan.

The estate tax law changes. Dick and Jane’s estate now faces a significant tax issue which they know nothing about.

As attorneys, it is our job to know the changes in the law.

Because we are in relationship, we inform Dick and Jane of this new law, explain its impact on their estate plan, and make the necessary changes.

Dick has an accident and becomes incapacitated. Dick has been the one taking care of all administrative and financial matters for the family, which has left Jane feeling overwhelmed and unprepared to handle her new responsibilities.

In the midst of this, Jane has forgotten that they created an estate plan in which she was appointed as Dick’s health care power of attorney. Important decisions will be made regarding his health contrary to her wishes.

Because we are in relationship with Dick and Jane and check in with them every year, Jane has the confidence to call us at any moment, knowing we will be more than happy to answer any questions and address the circumstances at hand.

Dick passes away. A few months later, Jane remarries Jane’s new spouse, Bob, has children of his own.

Because we are in relationship, Jane remembers to call us immediately when Dick passes away. We are familiar with their estate’s assets, making us well prepared to smoothly and efficiently administer the settlement process.

Jane also knows to inform us of her new relationship with Bob. We are able to make recommendations and take proactive steps to protect Dick and Jane’s children’s inheritance, as well as Jane personally.