In most cases, yes.

At its core, an estate plan answers two questions:

• Who receives your assets when you pass away

• Who can step in if you can’t make decisions for yourself

That second part—incapacity planning—is often what people don’t think about until they realize how important it is. Without documents in place, families are often left needing court involvement just to help manage day-to-day decisions.

It’s a common thought, and an understandable one.

The challenge is that estate planning isn’t only about age. It’s also about being prepared if something unexpected happens, whether that’s illness, an accident, or a period of incapacity where you can’t make decisions for yourself.

Waiting doesn’t avoid the need for a plan—it just means the decisions would be made without one if something happens in the meantime.

Washington has default rules that apply if there’s no plan in place.

That means the state decides who inherits your assets and who is legally responsible for handling everything. It may not reflect your family situation or your wishes.

If you also become unable to make decisions during your lifetime, your family may need to go to court just to get authority to help with medical or financial matters.

A will says who receives your assets and who is in charge of handling your affairs after you pass away. In Washington, it usually goes through probate.

A trust can hold assets and often allows things to be handled outside of probate. It can also help with continuity if you become unable to manage your affairs.

Many people use one or both, depending on what makes sense for their situation.

Often, yes.

Many estate plans still work in Washington, but they may not be fully aligned with Washington law or your current life. Things like real estate, state-specific probate rules, Washington estate tax considerations, and your end-of-life wishes can make an older plan incomplete or outdated.

Even when a plan is still valid, it’s worth reviewing to make sure it still reflects your life today, not where you used to live or what your situation used to be.

Many clients come to us with existing plans that need updating. We can review your current documents, discuss whether they still reflect your wishes, and recommend any necessary changes.

Every plan is different, but estate plans commonly include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and other documents designed to carry out your wishes and protect your family.

This is one of the most important parts of planning for many families.

If you have minor children, you can name a guardian in your estate plan—someone you trust to care for and raise them if something happens to you. If you don’t name someone, a court will decide.

You can also include instructions for your pets, including who should care for them. It’s a simple step, but it helps avoid confusion later.

This is a very common question—and an important one.

Estate planning is still important even if you don’t have heirs.

Without a plan, Washington will look for legal next of kin. If none are found, or if there is no one appropriate or available, your estate could eventually be handled by the state process known as escheat.

More importantly, you also get to choose:

• who manages your affairs if you become incapacitated

• who handles your estate when you pass away

• and what happens to your assets, property, or charitable intentions

Many people in this situation choose trusted friends, professional fiduciaries, or charitable organizations to carry out their wishes.

Washington has an estate tax that may apply to larger estates. Not everyone is affected.

There is no inheritance tax in Washington, which means beneficiaries do not pay tax just for receiving assets. If estate tax applies, it is handled by the estate during administration. Proper planning can help mitigate Washington estate taxes.

There’s no strict rule for how often you need to update your estate plan. The real answer is simple: review it when life changes.

When to take a closer look

You should revisit your plan if you experience any of the following:

• Marriage, divorce, or a long-term relationship change

• Birth or adoption of children or grandchildren

• A death or change in someone named in your plan

• Buying or selling real estate

• A significant change in finances or business ownership

• Moving to or from Washington

• Major changes in state or federal law

Even if nothing major changes, many people find it helpful to review their plan every 3–5 years as over time; documents can fall out of step with your life or current laws. 

Where to start

Most people don’t start with documents—they start with questions.

During your Peace of Mind Planning Session, we’ll talk through your situation, answer your questions in plain language, and help you understand what actually applies to you.

The goal is simple: to make sure your wishes are clear, your family isn’t left guessing, and nothing important is left to chance.

While we don't serve as a Personal Representative (Executor) or Trustee for our clients, we're happy to help you choose the right person for those roles. During your planning, we'll talk through what to look for and help you think about who may be the best fit. If you don't have a family member or friend who can serve, we can often connect you with experienced professional fiduciaries. 

 Yes. Whether we prepared your estate plan or you already have a trust and simply need help transferring your Washington or Alaska property into it, we're happy to assist. 

Because every plan is customized, fees vary depending on the complexity of your situation and the services included. You'll receive clear, flat-fee pricing during your Peace of Mind Planning Session before making any commitment.