Trusts, Wills & Probate
There are several elements to an estate plan that are key to your family being taken care of and your financial goals. For our Peace of Mind Planning, I referred to it as "What Tools Do You Have in Your Personal Tool Shed?" Each component of a plan is like a tool designed to accomplish a specified task. You don't…Read More
Estate planning works differently when there are many high net-worth assets at stake. Many traditional strategies don’t work as well because of the complex issues and family dynamics involved. Here are are a few ways to navigate those issues in Washington while protecting your assets, your relationships and your family dynamics. Understand your estate’s goals and values. Make sure your adviser…Read More
You don’t have to be married, rich, retired or sick to need a Will and a Revocable Trust. Living wills (aka Directive to Physicians) provide legal information for your friends, family and your health care team in the event you are ever involved in a serious accident or sudden illness in Washington. An accident could happen at anytime. We see…Read More
Same Sex Marriage and Domestic Partnership in Washington. What does it all mean to you and do you need to do anything? That's a common question I get. Here is the short answer with the longer explanation below: If you are at least 18 years old, but not older than 62 years old, live in Washington and have a…Read More
In light of the Supreme Court Ruling in 2013 in which certain provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act ("DOMA") were stricken, things have changed dramatically for same-sex married couples in those States who already recognize same-sex marriages. The great news is that Washington is one of those States. Therefore, if you are legally married in Washington and you are…Read More
No matter what stage of life you’re in, you can plan for where you are. There’s no rule in Washington that says you need to be worth a certain amount before you can make plans for your estate. The truth is, even someone who’s single and just left home has something to lose if the worst happens. Be prepared with…Read More
Whether you have a Westminster winner or a shelter sheltie, owning a pet is an investment of time, money and love. Trusts that provide for the care, expense and responsibility of caring for an animal after its owner passes are gaining in popularity in Washington state and all over the country. Some simple steps can ensure that your pet is…Read More
The change in the American family from one husband, one wife and 1.5 children to a half-dozen people from two different previous relationships has changed the face of modern estate planning here in Washington. More than half of all marriages end in divorce, and 75 percent of those who end up divorced will remarry. Research indicates that 65 percent of…Read More
We are pleased to announce that Christopher A. Benson and the Law Offices of Christopher A. Benson, PLLC has been awarded the 2013 Martindale-Hubbell Award for the highest Peer Review Rating among lawyers for Legal Ability and Ethical Standards. 137555_christopher_benson We take pride in helping people take control of their lives concerning a variety of issues such as Peace of…Read More
Over the past few months our firm have seen an increase in people wanting to “get their lives organized” both personally and financially for peace of mind. As a result, we have seen an increase in people meeting with us to prepare Living Trusts. A great thing about having a Living Trust is that they are flexible enough to be…Read More