Providing Comprehensive, Responsive Legal Representation
A will is not only for wealthy people with several complex and valuable assets. A well-written will is one of the most practical steps you can take to make sure the people you love are taken care of after you’re gone. At Marine View Law, we help families across the Seattle-Tacoma area put a clear, legally sound plan in place, without the confusion or stress that often comes with estate planning.
Our law office has two locations serving the greater Seattle-Tacoma metro area, including Normandy Park and Tacoma. Whether you’re in West Seattle, Burien, Federal Way, or anywhere in between, our estate planning attorneys are close by and ready to help.
Marine View Law has provided estate planning services since 2007. Our lead attorney, Renee Roman, has over 30 years of experience helping individuals and families with estate planning in the Seattle-Tacoma area. That depth of experience matters when it comes to drafting a will that actually holds up and reflects what you want.
One thing that sets Renee apart from many estate planning attorneys is her background as a licensed real estate agent and broker. For homeowners, this is a meaningful advantage. Your home is likely your most significant asset, and how it is handled in your estate plan involves legal, financial, and practical considerations that go beyond simply naming a beneficiary. Renee understands the real estate side of the equation and can give you informed guidance on how to address your property in a way that makes sense for your situation.
We also understand that people are busy and that legal questions can feel urgent. At Marine View Law, we respond quickly to client contacts. You should not have to wait days to hear back from your attorney when you have a question or need to move forward on something important.
Our clients often tell us that visiting our offices feels different from what they expected. We work hard to create a calm, personal experience where you feel heard and understood, not rushed or overwhelmed. Estate planning involves real conversations about your life and your family. We take that seriously.
A will, sometimes called a last will and testament, is a written legal document that tells the court and your family what you want to happen to your belongings when you pass away. It names the people who will receive your property, identifies who will manage your estate, and can even name a guardian for minor children if that applies to your situation.
Without a will, state law steps in and makes those decisions for you. That process is called intestate succession, which simply means the court distributes your assets according to a set formula, not your personal wishes.
For someone who owns a home and has even modest savings, a will can make an enormous difference. Think about what will happens to your house. Without a will, there may be confusion, delays, and even conflict among family members about who gets what. A clear, properly drafted will can head off those problems before they start.
A will can also:
People often put off writing a will because it feels like something they can deal with later. But the financial and emotional cost of dying without one can fall heavily on the people you leave behind.
If you pass away without a will in Washington, a court will determine who receives your assets based on the state’s intestacy laws. The distribution follows a specific order, starting with your closest relatives. If you are married, your spouse may receive your share of community property and a portion of your separate property. If you have children, your spouse and children could split your assets in ways you might not have intended. If no spouse or children survive you, your parents, siblings, or more distant relatives may inherit.
And practically speaking, when a family has to navigate an estate without a will, the process at King County Superior Court, which handles probate matters for Seattle-area residents, can take longer and cost more than it would with a clear plan in place.
A properly drafted will can avoid many of these obstacles and streamline the process. It identifies your assets, names your beneficiaries, and gives your personal representative a clear roadmap. That means less time in court, lower legal fees, and far less stress for the people handling your estate.
There is also the matter of family harmony. Disputes over who gets the house, the savings account, or even the personal belongings can cause lasting damage to relationships. A will does not guarantee conflict-free outcomes, but it gives everyone a clear answer grounded in your own words and intentions.
A solid will typically addresses several key areas:
Actually, one area that surprises many clients is how much thought goes into naming a personal representative. It is not just about picking a family member. It is about picking someone who can handle paperwork, communicate with creditors and courts, and make decisions under pressure, sometimes while grieving.
A will is not a set-it-and-forget-it document. Life changes, and your will should reflect those changes. Some situations that may call for a review or amendment include:
Washington law generally allows you to amend your will through a document called a codicil, or you can create a new will entirely. Either way, working with an attorney helps ensure the update is done correctly and does not create confusion or conflict with earlier versions.
When someone passes away without a valid will in Washington, the estate is considered “intestate.” That means the state’s intestacy laws, rather than the person’s own wishes, determine who receives the assets. The court will distribute property to relatives in a set order, beginning with the closest surviving family members. A surviving spouse may receive the deceased’s share of community property along with a portion of separate property, depending on whether there are children. If no spouse or children survive, parents, siblings, or more distant relatives may inherit. It is worth noting that assets with named beneficiaries, such as life insurance policies or retirement accounts, typically pass outside of this process and are not controlled by intestacy laws.
Washington law sets clear requirements for a will to be legally valid. To make a valid will, a person must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind at the time of signing. The will must be in writing and signed by the person making it. It must also be witnessed by at least two competent adults who are present when the document is signed. If the witnessing requirements are not met, a court may refuse to honor the will during probate. Other issues that can lead to a challenge include claims that the person lacked mental capacity, was under undue influence from another person, or was pressured or deceived into signing. Oral wills are generally not valid in Washington. Working with an attorney to draft and properly execute your will is one of the most reliable ways to protect against these challenges.
A will is an important foundation, but it is typically not the only document worth having. Many estate planning attorneys recommend pairing a will with a few additional documents for more complete protection. A durable power of attorney allows someone you trust to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated and cannot do so yourself. A healthcare directive, sometimes called a living will, lets you express your preferences about medical treatment if you are unable to communicate them. A durable power of attorney for healthcare names a specific person to make medical decisions on your behalf. Together, these documents can help your family avoid difficult court proceedings and provide clear guidance during a health crisis.
Depending on your situation, a trust may also be worth considering. We are glad to discuss which combination of documents makes sense for you during a consultation.
If you own a home, have savings, or simply want to make sure your family is protected, a will is worth your time. Marine View Law offers a complimentary 15-minute consultation so you can ask questions and get a sense of what the process involves before committing to anything.
Reach out today to schedule your free consultation. Taking this step now could save your family significant time, money, and stress down the road.
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