Estate Planning Lawyer Olympia, WA
If you are approaching a major life milestone, going through a significant financial change, or simply realizing you have put estate planning off long enough, working with our estate planning firm is one of the most meaningful steps you can take for your family. Our Olympia, WA estate planning lawyer helps individuals, married couples, and families create plans that protect assets, carry out wishes, and keep families out of court. Founder Robert Franco has practiced law for over a decade and holds an LL.M. in Tax Law from the University of Washington School of Law, bringing both legal and tax knowledge to every client engagement. We offer free consultations and flat-fee pricing, and most of our process is completed remotely. Contact Eastside Estate Planning today to get started.
Why Choose Eastside Estate Planning for Estate Planning in Olympia, WA?
A Decade of Washington Estate Planning Experience
Robert Franco founded Eastside Estate Planning after more than a decade working in estate planning and transactional law. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and its Taxation Section, focused on federal and state tax practice for Washington attorneys. He is also a member of the Cardozo Society of Washington State, the official Washington State Bar Association minority bar for Jewish legal professionals.
His credentials include a J.D. from Lewis and Clark Law School in 2013 and an LL.M. in Tax Law from the University of Washington School of Law in 2018. Seven of his years in practice have focused exclusively on estate planning for Washington residents, covering everything from standard will and trust packages to more complex situations involving estate tax exposure or blended families.
As an estate planning attorney in Olympia, WA serving clients across the state, Robert understands that Washington's legal framework differs from most other states. Its standalone estate tax, community property rules, and probate procedures all affect how estate plans must be structured.
Tax Knowledge That Extends Beyond Documents
Robert's LL.M. in Tax Law shapes how he approaches every plan. Washington is one of a small number of states with its own estate tax, and it operates completely independently of the federal system. The state exemption does not transfer between spouses at death, so a married couple without deliberate planning may lose one full exemption.
A Remote Process That Works for Olympia Residents
Our firm is based in Redmond and serves clients across greater Washington. Nearly all of our work is done remotely, from the free intake consultation through document signing. Olympia residents do not need to travel. We guide each client through every step and answer questions as they come up.
Clear Communication and Flat-Fee Pricing
Estate planning involves some of the most personal conversations a person can have. We keep things direct, jargon-free, and focused on what actually matters to you. Every document gets explained before it gets signed. Our transparent pricing model uses flat fees for will and trust packages, so you know what you owe from the start. No hourly billing. No surprises.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Eastside Estate Planning was wonderful to work with. We had them do a trust, will, medical directive, and power of attorneys. They were professional, communicated with us every step of the way.and presented us a wonderful organized notebook with all of our documents. I now have peace of mind knowing everything is now in order. I would highly recommend them for your estate needs." Marcia Dattilo
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Types of Estate Planning Cases We Handle in Olympia
Estate planning for Olympia residents covers several interconnected documents and strategies. Here is an overview of what we handle.
- Wills and last testaments. A will designates who receives your property, names guardians for minor children, and appoints a personal representative to manage your estate. Without one, Washington's intestate succession law under RCW 11.04.015 determines the outcome, which may bear little resemblance to what you intended. A will is also the only document in Washington that allows you to name a guardian for your children.
- Revocable living trusts. A revocable trust lets your estate pass to beneficiaries without probate, court involvement, or the delay and expense that come with it. It stays private, unlike a will that goes through probate court. And because it can be amended at any time, it adapts as your family and finances evolve. Long-term care planning considerations also fit naturally within a trust structure, particularly for clients who are thinking ahead about potential healthcare costs.
- Irrevocable trusts. Once created, an irrevocable trust cannot generally be modified, but that permanence serves a purpose. Assets placed in an irrevocable trust are typically removed from the taxable estate, which is significant for Olympia families with estates above Washington's threshold. They can also provide asset protection that revocable trusts cannot.
- Tax planning. Washington's 2026 individual estate tax exclusion is $3,076,000, indexed for inflation. Estates above that face rates from 10% to 35%. Because the exemption is not portable between spouses, married couples need strategies such as credit shelter trusts or systematic gifting to preserve both exemptions. Even families well below the threshold today can benefit from planning as real estate values and retirement accounts grow.
- Power of attorney. A durable power of attorney designates a trusted person to manage your finances if you become incapacitated. Under RCW 11.125.050, a valid Washington power of attorney must be signed, dated, and either notarized or witnessed by two qualified witnesses. Generic, off-the-shelf forms often omit authority for specific situations, which is one important reason why a carefully drafted document matters.
- Healthcare directives and living wills. A healthcare directive identifies your treatment preferences and names a healthcare agent to speak on your behalf if you cannot. It belongs in every estate plan regardless of age or current health.
Washington Legal Requirements for Estate Planning
Washington has specific statutes that govern each of the core estate planning documents.
Will validity under RCW 11.12.020. Under RCW 11.12.020, a valid Washington will must be written, signed by the testator, and witnessed by at least two competent people. Washington does not honor handwritten, unwitnessed wills. Out-of-state wills may be recognized if they satisfy the laws of the state where they were executed, but any Olympia resident who moves here from another state should have their documents reviewed to confirm they accomplish what was intended under Washington law.
Intestate succession under RCW 11.04.015. Dying without a valid will in Olympia means RCW 11.04.015 governs what happens to your estate. For a surviving spouse with children, all community property passes to the spouse, and the separate property is split between the spouse and children. That division may not match your intentions, and in a blended family, it can create genuine financial strain for a surviving spouse who now shares ownership of assets with stepchildren.
Washington estate tax under RCW 83.100. Washington's standalone estate tax, governed by RCW 83.100, operates independently of the federal system. For deaths occurring in 2026, the individual exclusion is $3,076,000. The marginal rate reaches 35% on taxable amounts over $9 million. Washington's exemption cannot be transferred from a deceased spouse to the surviving spouse, unlike the federal unified credit. That non-portability is one of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of Washington estate tax planning for married couples.
Power of attorney requirements under RCW 11.125. Washington's Uniform Power of Attorney Act is codified at RCW 11.125. Documents executed in Washington on or after January 1, 2017, must satisfy the signing requirements in RCW 11.125.050 to be valid. A power of attorney designated as durable under RCW 11.125.020 survives the principal's incapacity, remaining operative precisely when it is most needed.
Important Aspects of an Olympia Estate Planning Case
Selecting the Right Document Structure
The combination of documents that makes sense for a 35-year-old with two young children looks very different from what a 60-year-old couple with a paid-off home and significant retirement savings needs. A single person with modest assets may be well-served by a will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare directive. A married couple with a combined estate approaching Washington's threshold needs a more structured approach, likely including a revocable trust and deliberate tax planning. We ask the right questions before recommending any documents.
The Real Risk of Skipping Probate Planning
Most people want their estate to pass cleanly to their family without court intervention. But that does not happen automatically. A will still goes through probate. A revocable trust avoids probate, but only for assets properly titled in the trust's name. Property acquired after the trust was created and never transferred in, or accounts without proper beneficiary designations, can still end up in probate. We explain how estate planning protects families from exactly these situations and walk every client through the funding process.
Planning for Incapacity, Not Just Death
A durable power of attorney and healthcare directive address incapacity. Without them, a family member seeking authority to manage your finances or make medical decisions may need to petition a Washington court for guardianship or conservatorship, a process that is slow, expensive, and public. This is a realistic risk for anyone who has not documented their wishes.
Keeping Plans Current After Life Changes
An estate plan is not permanent by nature. Marriage and divorce, the birth of grandchildren, significant property changes, a move to or from Washington, and changes in state law can all affect what your plan accomplishes. The 2025 update to Washington's estate tax law changed the rate structure and raised the exemption, affecting how some existing plans function. Updating your trust after major events is not optional if you want the plan to hold up.
The Stakes Are Higher for Blended Families
Blended families require precision that standard estate plans rarely provide. Without specific drafting, assets meant for a surviving spouse may ultimately pass to that spouse's children from a prior relationship rather than to the children of the first marriage. Conversely, overly rigid planning can leave a surviving spouse financially exposed. Balancing those interests requires deliberate documents with clear distribution provisions, not generic templates filled in with names.
Contact Eastside Estate Planning
Taking the first step is the hardest part. Start with a free consultation at Eastside Estate Planning to learn about your goals and explain your family responsibilities, then move at a pace that works for you. We offer flat-fee pricing and a remote process, giving you plain-English explanations at every stage. Olympia residents can work with us without having to travel to Redmond. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with our Olympia estate planning lawyer.