The attorneys in Stafford
Frey Cooper's estate planning and probate practice group have
broad experience developing estate plans that ensure an orderly
and effective transfer of assets during life or upon death, and
that facilitate a prompt and efficient settlement of estates
following death. Our estate planning experience includes: creating
trusts to provide for minor children or individuals with special
needs; creating trusts that ensure the distribution of assets
in situations where a client has been married more than once;
creating trusts for out-of-state real property to avoid ancillary
probate; planning for distribution of assets related to domestic
partnerships; establishing guardianships; and using durable powers
of attorney in lieu of guardianships. Our probate experience
includes: assembling and transferring estate assets; operating
businesses owned by the decedent; distributing assets in accordance
with a decedent's wishes; dealing with creditor claims; developing
agreements among beneficiaries as a means to resolve disputes;
and initiating Court proceedings to resolve disputes when
agreement cannot be reached.
Estate planning and probate matters frequently include complex
federal and state tax questions. At Stafford Frey Cooper, we work
with clients, their accountants, and other professional advisors
to develop estate plans that minimize tax consequences while still
accomplishing the objectives of the client. We accomplish this
by developing plans for life-time gifts; establishing various trusts
to reduce estate taxes; selecting assets to fund trusts in
an optimal manner; using family limited partnerships or limited
liability companies to provide long-term structure for the ownership
of assets and to create opportunities for a reduction of estate
taxes; using qualified personal residence trusts; and establishing
plans for charitable giving.
We represent clients with small or large estates and with
assets located within and outside the State of Washington. Attorneys:
• William L. Neal
• Karen L. Cobb
• James T. Yand
• Evan D. Bariault
• Jeffrey M. Grieff
• Phillip L. Thom
Related Practice Areas:
• Trust & Estate
Litigation
• Business
Formation, Management & Compliance
• Real
Estate Transactions
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