Bellevue Wills Attorneys

Protect Your Loved Ones with a Valid Will

Regardless of your age, economic situation, or marital status, having a will is essential. These legal documents express how you wish to have your property and assets distributed, to whom, and at what time, in the event of your passing. They name your heirs and beneficiaries, delineate the specifics of your assets, and can even designate the guardian you would wish for a minor child. Wills have many benefits.

As a law firm that concentrates much of its practice on estate planning, Jerimy Kirschner & Associates, PLLC understands the importance of having a will. Even though it may be difficult to confront, we encourage everyone to create a will after having seen the conflict that can ensue for families left without one.

Need a will? Discuss it with a Bellevue wills lawyer at our firm. Arrange for a free estate planning consult by contacting us at (206) 203-8802. 

What is a Will?

Wills are legal documents that specifically lay out in writing how you wish the distribution of your property and the care of minor children to be handled once you are gone. Should you pass away without a will, those issues will be assigned to the state to carry out. Without instruction from you, the state will act according to laws that may or may not align with what you would have wanted.

This means that the settling of your affairs will require more time, money, and emotional stress for the family and other potential beneficiaries that you leave behind. It also leaves your heirs and beneficiaries open to dispute about what they believe you would have wanted. That can lead to litigation which can further deplete the sum total of your estate with additional legal fees.

What Does a Will Do?

A will does the following:

• Clarifies who gets what of your estate and how much.
• Clarifies who should care for your minor children and manage their inheritances until they grow up.
• Names a personal representative or executor to manage your estate.
• Outlines your wishes for funeral and burial arrangements.
• Outlines your wishes for other personal matters, such as pet care and more
• Allows you to pass on gifts and charitable donations.
• Helps minimize the potential tax liabilities of your estate.
• Allows the probate process to be expedited.
• Allows you to alter your will at any time should circumstances change.
• In Washington, allows you to create a testamentary trust that goes into effect upon your passing; it is used to hold property for others, such as children.

As you can see, a will provides numerous benefits with the overall result of reducing stress for your loved ones and providing peace of mind for both you and them.