Estate Planning Lawyer Tacoma, WA
If you have not yet put an estate plan in place, you are leaving some of the most important decisions in your life to the courts, state law, and people who may not know what you would have wanted. That is not a comfortable position for anyone.
Our Tacoma, WA estate planning lawyer can help you create a clear, legally sound plan that protects your family, your assets, and your wishes. Founder Robert Franco earned his LL.M. in Tax Law from the University of Washington School of Law in 2018 and has spent over a decade working in estate planning and taxation. At Eastside Estate Planning, we work with individuals and married couples across the greater Washington area, and we are ready to help you get started. Contact us for a free consultation.
Why Choose Eastside Estate Planning for Estate Planning in Tacoma, WA?
Deep Knowledge of Washington Estate Planning Law
Robert Franco has practiced as a Washington-licensed attorney for over a decade, with the last seven years focused specifically on estate planning and probate matters. He understands the nuances of Washington's trust law, its standalone state estate tax, and how community property rules affect the way assets pass at death. That background matters when structuring documents for a Tacoma family with real estate, retirement accounts, or a blended household.
Robert is admitted to the Washington State Bar Association, where he is an active member of the Tax Section. He is also a member of the Cardozo Society of Washington State, the official Washington State Bar Association minority bar for Jewish legal professionals. He earned his J.D. from Lewis and Clark College in 2013 and his LL.M. in Tax Law from the University of Washington School of Law in 2018. That academic foundation directly informs how he approaches estate tax planning for Washington families.
Tax Knowledge That Goes Beyond Basic Documents
Most estate planning attorneys draft documents. Fewer understand the tax implications behind them. Robert holds an LL.M. in Tax Law, which means he understands how Washington's estate tax, federal gift tax rules, income tax, and capital gains tax all interact with a well-designed plan. Washington is one of only a handful of states with its own standalone estate tax, and without the right planning, married couples can lose one full exemption at the first spouse's death. As an estate planning attorney in Tacoma, WA, Robert brings that level of analysis to every client engagement.
Transparent, Flat-Fee Pricing
We charge flat fees for will and trust packages. You know exactly what you will pay before you sign on as a client. There are no hourly charges accumulating in the background, and no concerns about calling us with a follow-up question. When you are trying to make thoughtful, long-term decisions about your estate, you should not have to worry about the clock. Our transparent pricing model reflects our belief that estate planning should be accessible and free of financial surprises.
Client Results That Speak for Themselves
The feedback from clients who have worked with us tells its own story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Our experience with Robert as our trust lawyer has been nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we first met, we were met with a level of professionalism and expertise that immediately put our minds at ease. Robert truly understands the intricacies of estate planning, and he guided us through the process with remarkable ease and expertise. Robert's attention to detail was impressive, and he left no stone unturned in ensuring that our trust and will were ironclad and comprehensive." Inbal Shani
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Estate Planning Cases We Handle in Tacoma
Estate planning for Tacoma residents covers a wide range of documents and strategies. Here is what our firm handles.
- Wills and last testaments. A will is the most fundamental estate planning document. It names beneficiaries, designates guardians for minor children, and appoints a personal representative to administer your estate. Without a valid will, Washington's intestate succession laws under RCW 11.04.015 determine who receives your property, which may not reflect your actual wishes.
- Revocable living trusts. A revocable living trust is often the preferred tool for Washington families because it avoids probate, keeps your affairs private, and takes effect without court involvement. It can also be updated as your life changes. Married couples can use a joint revocable trust to avoid two separate probate processes at different points in time.
- Irrevocable trusts. Once established, an irrevocable trust generally cannot be changed, but it offers significant advantages for estate tax reduction, Medicaid planning, and asset protection. For families with estates approaching the state threshold, an irrevocable trust may be an important component of a broader strategy.
- Tax planning. Washington is one of only a handful of states with a separate state estate tax. The current individual exemption is $3,076,000 for deaths occurring in 2026, indexed annually for inflation. Strategic planning through gifting, trust structures, and business deductions can reduce a family's overall tax exposure. For married couples, the Washington exemption is not portable between spouses, which means careful planning is essential to preserve both exemptions.
- Power of attorney. A durable financial power of attorney authorizes a trusted person to manage your financial affairs 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 qualifying witnesses. Generic forms often omit authority needed for specific transactions, which is one reason customized drafting matters.
- Healthcare directives and living wills. A healthcare directive (sometimes called an advance directive or living will) documents your preferences for medical treatment if you cannot communicate them yourself. It also designates a healthcare agent to make decisions on your behalf. This document belongs in every estate plan, regardless of age or health.
Washington Legal Requirements for Estate Planning
Washington has several laws that every resident should understand when putting an estate plan together.
Will validity under RCW 11.12.020. Under RCW 11.12.020, a valid Washington will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by at least two competent individuals. A handwritten, unwitnessed will is not enforceable here. If you have a will from another state, Washington will generally recognize it as valid if it complied with the laws of the state where it was executed, but it is worth reviewing with our Tacoma estate planning attorney to confirm it accomplishes what you intend.
Intestate succession under RCW 11.04.015. If a Tacoma resident dies without a will, RCW 11.04.015 governs who receives the estate. For a surviving spouse with children, the spouse receives all community property and one-half of the separate property, with children receiving the other half. That division can create real tension in blended families where children from a prior relationship and a current spouse have competing interests in the same assets.
Washington estate tax under RCW 83.100. Washington imposes a standalone estate tax under RCW 83.100, completely separate from the federal system. For 2026, the individual filing threshold is $3,076,000. The tax rate begins at 10% and rises to a maximum of 35% on estates over $9 million. Unlike the federal estate tax, the Washington exemption is not portable between spouses, which is one of the most important planning considerations for married couples in Tacoma.
Power of attorney requirements under RCW 11.125. Washington adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, codified at RCW 11.125. A power of attorney executed on or after January 1, 2017, must comply with the signing requirements in RCW 11.125.050 to be considered valid. A durable power of attorney, as defined in RCW 11.125.020, remains effective even if the principal later becomes incapacitated.
Important Aspects of a Tacoma Estate Planning Case
Choosing the Right Documents for Your Situation
Not every family needs the same estate planning package. A single individual with straightforward asset ownership may do fine with a will, power of attorney, and healthcare directive. A married couple with a home, retirement accounts, and children from prior relationships almost certainly needs a revocable living trust. The wrong document structure can lead to unintended outcomes, including assets passing to the wrong people, unnecessary probate, or estate tax bills that proper planning could have avoided.
Funding a Trust Properly
A revocable living trust only works if it is funded. That means actually transferring titled assets (real estate, bank accounts, investment accounts) into the trust's name. Many people go through the expense of having a trust drafted, then fail to fund it, which means the estate still goes through probate. We walk every client through the funding process and make clear what needs to happen for the trust to perform its intended function.
Planning for Incapacity, Not Just Death
A well-drafted power of attorney and healthcare directive mean that someone you trust, rather than a court-appointed guardian, handles your finances and medical decisions if you become unable to do so yourself. Without these documents, your family may need to petition a Washington court for guardianship or conservatorship, a process that is costly, slow, and public. This is why every complete estate plan includes these documents, not just wills and trusts.
Updating Plans After Major Life Events
An estate plan is not a one-time task. Marriage, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, a significant change in assets, or a move to another state can make an existing plan outdated or counterproductive. The Washington estate tax law changes effective in mid-2025 are a good example of a legal development that may warrant a review even for those who already have plans in place.
Special Considerations for Blended Families
Without careful drafting, assets meant for a surviving spouse can ultimately pass to that spouse's children from another relationship rather than to the children of the first marriage. We have written extensively about estate planning for blended families and approach these situations with the deliberate care they require. Balancing competing interests takes specific, thoughtful documents, not generic templates.
Contact Eastside Estate Planning
If you are ready to put a proper plan in place for yourself or your family, we are here to help. Our process begins with a free consultation where we listen to your goals, explain your options, and help you understand which documents make sense for your situation. Eastside Estate Planning offers flat-fee pricing, prompt communication, and a clear process from intake through document signing. Most of our work can be completed remotely, which means Tacoma residents can work with us without difficulty. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with our Tacoma estate planning lawyer.