Preparing or Changing Your Will During Your Seattle Divorce

Estate Planning and Divorce in Seattle – Important Considerations

Filing for divorce does not change any existing estate documents, nor does it not end any of your spouse’s rights under Washington State law.  If a spouse dies during a divorce without having revised their estate planning, it is as if the divorce was never filed.

If you pass away during a divorce and do not have existing estate planning in place, your spouse automatically inherits all of your community property and from ¼ to all of any separate property.  If you become mentally incapacitated, your spouse may also obtain decision-making authority over your finances and healthcare decisions.

For the above reasons, we generally recommend estate planning for persons going through a divorce or who are divorced.

What is Estate Planning in Seattle?

Estate planning involves planning for the possibility of mental incapacity while still alive and distribution of your assets at death. You should prepare or change your estate planning when there is a life-changing event such as a divorce.

Boaz Weintraub, lead counsel, began his legal career as an estate planning lawyer in Seattle for a well known firm, and can act as your estate planning lawyer in Bellevue to prepare and revise your legal documents to protect your property interests.

The Estate Planning Process

At Weintraub Law Office, if we are already handing your divorce, we already have all your financial information and know your long term goals. As a result, the process of completing your estate planning documents is straightforward.

The following steps summarize the process:

• Complete the Estate Planning form Questionnaire;
• Send completed form by mail, e-mail, or fax;
• Schedule an appointment;
• Conference with attorney to discuss estate planning needs and sign flat fee agreement;
• Attorney drafts estate planning documents for review; and,
• Schedule an appointment to sign the final documents.

Weintraub Law Office has offices in Seattle, Bellevue, and Bothell and represents clients in King, Snohomish, and Pierce County.

Call Weintraub Law Office at (425) 374-4045 or contact us online to request an appointment if you are interested in estate planning.