Taxes can affect your estate even after you’re gone. If you leave behind a sizeable estate, a portion of your assets may be subject to estate taxes before they ever reach your beneficiaries. With thoughtful planning, however, much of that burden can often be reduced or avoided. Your Bellevue, WA estate tax lawyer can help you understand how estate and trust planning strategies work together to protect what you’ve built. Your estate is your legacy, and at Eastside Estate Planning, we take a personal, strategic approach to preserving it. With over a decade in legal practice—including seven years focused exclusively on estate planning, probate, and tax-sensitive planning—we’re here to help individuals and married couples protect their futures. Contact us today to get started.
What Does An Estate Tax Lawyer Do?
First - and fortunately - estate taxes don’t affect everyone. There’s a financial threshold you’ll have to cross before these taxes impact your estate. If you were to pass away in 2025, that amount is $13,990,000. The tax rates for state-level estate taxes in Washington range from 10% to 20% of your Washington-taxable estate.
An estate tax lawyer is a must-have if you’re dealing with a high-asset estate plan. However, even if you aren’t dealing with $13,990,000 worth of assets, it’s still important to get in touch with an estate tax lawyer for a more concrete estate plan.
Estate taxation lawyers can help you reduce the tax burden on your estate. They’ll introduce you to the best strategies for preserving your assets for your loved ones, and they’ll help you choose which strategy is best for your situation. For some, this may mean placing assets in a trust. For others, it may mean making regular charitable donations, or creating a foundation. These are all workable strategies, but you’ll need your Bellevue estate tax lawyer to walk you through the steps.
With the right estate and trust tax attorney on your side, you can avoid overpaying on taxes, and you can also make sure your family receives more of whatever you’re leaving behind for them. Some estate lawyers also offer business succession services, and can assist with other aspects of estate planning law such as probate. Even if you’re not dealing with millions of dollars in assets, it’s important to get the right legal input when you’re planning your family’s future.
There are many tax and estate attorneys out there, but you deserve a team you can trust. When it comes to seeking legal support, experience makes all the difference:
Why Experience Matters In Estate Tax Law
Estate tax planning requires more than surface-level knowledge of the law—it requires a clear understanding of how your financial goals, family dynamics, and long-term plans intersect with tax regulations. At Eastside Estate Planning, we take the time to get to know each client so we can recommend strategies that align with your priorities, not just your balance sheet. Our lead attorney and founder Robert Franco brings focused experience to even complex estate tax matters. He holds an LL.M. (advanced law degree), providing deeper insight into tax-driven planning strategies that can help minimize estate tax exposure and preserve wealth for future generations. Whether you’re planning as an individual or as a married couple, our firm offers clear guidance grounded in both legal precision and real-world practicality.
Our experience includes:
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Over a decade of legal practice, with seven years concentrated on estate planning, probate, and tax-focused strategies
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Advanced legal training (LL.M.) supporting sophisticated estate and trust tax planning
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Experience working with both individuals and married couples, including high-asset estates and long-term family planning needs
At Eastside Estate Planning, we have the experience to help you protect your legacy. Contact us today to get started.
Types Of Estate Tax Services We Provide
If you are planning your estate or managing significant assets, our Bellevue, WA estate tax lawyer can help you minimize tax liabilities and preserve wealth for your beneficiaries. At Eastside Estate Planning, we assist clients with all aspects of estate and inheritance tax planning. By serving clients throughout Washington and the Eastside, we can make sure that all members of our community receive the legal guidance they need to prepare for their future. And because we offer free phone consultations, our clients can make sure they’re choosing the right team before making a commitment. Below, we outline the types of estate tax services our team provides.
Estate Tax Planning
Proper estate tax planning helps reduce the amount of taxes your estate may owe upon your passing. Our estate tax planning attorneys work with clients to structure assets, gifts, and trusts in ways that legally minimize tax obligations while maximizing inheritance for loved ones.
Federal Estate Tax Guidance
Federal estate taxes can apply to estates exceeding specific thresholds. Our federal estate tax lawyers assist clients in understanding federal regulations, filing accurate returns, and taking advantage of exemptions to reduce tax burdens.
Inheritance And State Tax Services
In addition to federal taxes, some states levy inheritance or estate taxes. Our inheritance tax attorneys help clients comply with state tax laws, plan transfers efficiently, and avoid unexpected liabilities for heirs.
Trust And Tax Planning
Trusts are often a key tool in managing estate taxes and protecting assets. We help clients establish revocable or irrevocable trusts, making sure that assets are distributed according to their wishes while minimizing tax exposure.
Estate Tax Advisory Services
Ongoing guidance is essential to adapt estate plans to changes in tax law or family circumstances. Our estate tax advisors provide regular consultations, reviewing strategies to maintain tax efficiency and protect family wealth over time.
Gift Tax Planning
Transferring assets during your lifetime can have significant tax implications. Our Bellevue estate tax attorneys assist clients with gift tax strategies that legally reduce estate taxes while supporting heirs during their lifetimes.
Charitable Giving Strategies
Charitable donations can reduce taxable estate value while supporting causes you care about. Our trust and tax lawyers guide clients through charitable trust options and donation planning to maximize tax benefits.
Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to helping clients manage estate taxes and preserve wealth for future generations. Our Bellevue estate tax lawyers guide clients through unclear tax rules, optimize estate structures, and provide ongoing advice tailored to each family’s needs. If you or a loved one is planning your estate or seeking guidance on estate tax issues, our team is ready to provide exceptional legal guidance for your specific case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let us help you create a tax-efficient estate plan.
Common Examples Of Estate Tax
Our Bellevue, WA estate tax lawyer can provide valuable guidance when planning for the taxes that may arise from transferring wealth. At Eastside Estate Planning, we help clients understand the financial implications of estates while offering strategies to minimize tax liabilities. Our experienced attorneys can help you understand how estate taxes affect your assets and plan for the future. We serve clients across Washington and the Eastside, so no matter where you’re located, we’re here to help. We also offer free phone consultations, so you can get to know our team and our services before stepping foot in our office. Our wide accessibility and availability gives our clients confidence that we’re here for them.
High-Value Estates Subject To Estate Tax
One of the most common examples of estate tax occurs when an estate exceeds the federal or state exemption thresholds. Estates with significant assets—including real estate, investments, and valuable personal property—may be subject to taxation upon transfer. Working with our estate planning attorneys allows you to structure your estate strategically, potentially reducing the taxable amount and maximizing what your beneficiaries receive.
Inheritance Of Real Estate
Another scenario that can trigger estate tax involves inherited real estate. When property is transferred after death, its fair market value is considered part of the estate. If the total estate value crosses exemption limits, beneficiaries may face tax obligations. Our inheritance tax lawyers can guide you in planning trusts or other mechanisms to help manage tax exposure while preserving family wealth.
Business Ownership Transfers
Transferring ownership of a family business can also create estate tax liabilities. Business assets are often substantial and can push the estate’s total value above exemption thresholds. Consulting with our Bellevue estate tax attorneys makes sure that business succession plans consider tax implications, allowing you to pass on the business efficiently to heirs without unexpected burdens.
Investment Portfolios And Securities
Estates containing large investment portfolios, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, can face significant estate taxes. These assets are generally valued at market price at the time of death, which may increase the taxable amount. We can advise on strategies such as charitable giving or other tax planning methods to mitigate the impact of estate taxes on your investment holdings.
Life Insurance Proceeds
Life insurance proceeds payable to a named beneficiary are usually not taxable. However, if the policy is owned by the estate, it may be included in the estate value for tax purposes. Working with our wealth transfer lawyers helps determine the best ownership structures for life insurance policies to minimize estate tax while protecting the financial security of beneficiaries.
Gifts And Transfers Before Death
Large gifts given before death can also influence estate tax calculations. While annual exclusions exist, substantial gifts beyond the exclusion amount may reduce the lifetime exemption and affect the estate tax owed. We can help plan gifting strategies that reduce estate tax liability while benefiting heirs during your lifetime.
Why Working With An Estate Tax Lawyer Matters
Planning for estate taxes involves careful consideration of your assets, beneficiaries, and long-term goals. Our Bellevue estate tax lawyers can provide personalized guidance to help you understand which assets may be subject to estate tax, how to structure transfers, and ways to minimize tax liabilities. At Eastside Estate Planning, we combine detailed knowledge of tax law with practical strategies to protect your wealth and simplify the administration process for your family. Contact us today to discuss your situation and develop a plan tailored to your needs with our estate administration lawyers.