Estate Planning Strategies

Annual fees and maintenance on a revocable living trust.

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Annual fees and maintenance on a revocable living trust. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and nee...

Do you need to probate on manufactured homes?

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you need to probate on manufactured homes? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you...

When does the 10 year clock on an inherited IRA start?

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When does the 10 year clock on an inherited IRA start? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need ...

Penalty for failing to file a Will on time.

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Penalty for failing to file a Will on time. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you c...

How to fund a revocable living trust.

12 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How to fund a revocable living trust. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get...

Real estate taxes from transfer on death deed inheritance.

11 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Real estate taxes from transfer on death deed inheritance. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and n...

Estate planning when you have no money.

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Estate planning when you have no money. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can g...

A time when your Executor can be lazy.

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A time when your Executor can be lazy. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can ge...

How to make a Will on a napkin.

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How to make a Will on a napkin. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a fre...

If this happens, the Will doesn’t matter.

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If this happens, the Will doesn’t matter. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you c...

A Will won’t cut it for blended families.

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A Will won’t cut it for blended families. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you c...

Inherited real estate with multiple liens - what to do.

05 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Inherited real estate with multiple liens - what to do. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need...

In probates there’s usually no secrets.

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In probates there’s usually no secrets. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can...

The one time it is impossible to avoid probate.

23 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The one time it is impossible to avoid probate. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, y...

Transfer on Death Deeds Happen Instantly Upon Death.

22 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Transfer on Death Deeds Happen Instantly Upon Death. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need he...

You’re Not the Executor Until Probate is Open.

21 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You’re Not the Executor Until Probate is Open. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, ...

How Loving Your Spouse Can Help Qualify for Medicaid.

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How Loving Your Spouse Can Help Qualify for Medicaid. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need h...

Stop paying bills when someone dies.

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stop paying bills when someone dies. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get ...

Did you know there are electronic Wills in WA?

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know there are electronic Wills in WA? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, yo...

How to Unintentionally Wreck Your Child’s Inheritance.

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to Unintentionally Wreck Your Child’s Inheritance. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and nee...

What to do when Inherited Real Estate is Paid Off.

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What to do when Inherited Real Estate is Paid Off. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help...

Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common.

15 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a...

How do you trigger a transfer on death deed?

14 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you trigger a transfer on death deed? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you ...

Thank you for 10,000 subscribers!

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Thank you for 10,000 subscribers! We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a f...

Instructions instead of a Will is the worst thing you could do.

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Instructions instead of a Will is the worst thing you could do. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State ...

True Story - Another Reason Not to Put Family on Your Bank Account

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

True Story - Another Reason Not to Put Family on Your Bank Account We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington Sta...

What Rights to Future Beneficiaries Have?

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What Rights to Future Beneficiaries Have? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can...

How Young Children Can Help Qualify for Medicaid

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How Young Children Can Help Qualify for Medicaid We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, ...

A Time to NEVER Use Transfer on Death Deeds

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A Time to NEVER Use Transfer on Death Deeds We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you c...

How Lack of Knowledge Can Help Qualify for Medicaid

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How Lack of Knowledge Can Help Qualify for Medicaid We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need hel...

Why do companies take life insurance policies out on their employees?

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why do companies take life insurance policies out on their employees? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington ...

Revocable living trusts do not give you asset protection.

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Revocable living trusts do not give you asset protection. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and ne...

Does a Will get filed before or after death?

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Does a Will get filed before or after death? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you ...

Can you appoint non-US resident guardians for your kids?

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can you appoint non-US resident guardians for your kids? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and nee...

How to deal with crazy people in probate - a story.

17 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to deal with crazy people in probate - a story. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need hel...

Forming an LLC? Get an Attorney!

16 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Forming an LLC? Get an Attorney! We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a fr...

How to Tell if Your U.S. Estate Plan will Work Abroad.

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to Tell if Your U.S. Estate Plan will Work Abroad. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need ...

Future Beneficiary and Trust Visibility

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Future Beneficiary and Trust Visibility We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can g...

You’re Not the Executor Until this Happens (even with a Will).

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You’re Not the Executor Until this Happens (even with a Will). We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State...

Do gift receivers pay income tax?

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do gift receivers pay income tax? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a f...

Can a beneficiary see a Will or Trust before the creator dies?

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can a beneficiary see a Will or Trust before the creator dies? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State a...

Executors are not required to give you a copy of the Will.

02 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Executors are not required to give you a copy of the Will. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and n...

Tax consequences of giving too much in 2024.

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tax consequences of giving too much in 2024. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you ...

Warning! Trust + s-corp can equal trouble.

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Warning! Trust + s-corp can equal trouble. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you ca...

Income tax exemptions only work while you are alive.

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Income tax exemptions only work while you are alive. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need he...

ILIT - trust first or life insurance first?

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

ILIT - trust first or life insurance first? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you c...

Can you redo an irrevocable trust?

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can you redo an irrevocable trust? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a ...

Real estate and death of spouse - probate required?

26 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Real estate and death of spouse - probate required? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need hel...

Do you have to use inheritance as directed?

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have to use inheritance as directed? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you c...

Is the executor required to give you a copy of the Will?

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is the executor required to give you a copy of the Will? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and nee...

Inherited real estate and mortgage rules.

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Inherited real estate and mortgage rules. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can...

When is the Right Time to Create an Irrevocable Trust?

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When is the Right Time to Create an Irrevocable Trust? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need ...

How to get a Copy of a Will After Someone Dies.

13 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to get a Copy of a Will After Someone Dies. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, y...

Do You Need Estate Planning If You have No Assets?

12 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do You Need Estate Planning If You have No Assets? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help...

Why do Health Care Directives Exist?

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why do Health Care Directives Exist? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get ...

How Business Owners Create a Power of Attorney.

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How Business Owners Create a Power of Attorney. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, y...

An Example of How NOT to Draft a Will

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

An Example of How NOT to Draft a Will We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get...

Your Probate Questions Answered - Grandma’s Farm.

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your Probate Questions Answered - Grandma’s Farm. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need hel...

The best place to store your estate plan.

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The best place to store your estate plan. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can...

Can the Executor just Kick You Out of Your House?

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can the Executor just Kick You Out of Your House? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help,...

An Important Consideration if Creating a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust.

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

An Important Consideration if Creating a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washing...

How to Get Cash in a Probate with Only Real Estate.

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to Get Cash in a Probate with Only Real Estate. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need hel...

You do not have to give someone $1 to disinherit them.

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You do not have to give someone $1 to disinherit them. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need ...

How Does a Will Work?

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How Does a Will Work? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a free strategy...

Can You Add or Delete Beneficiaries from an Irrevocable Trust?

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can You Add or Delete Beneficiaries from an Irrevocable Trust? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State a...

Estate planning and AI don’t compute - yet.

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Estate planning and AI don’t compute - yet. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you...

The best way to keep your home safe from a Medicaid lien.

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The best way to keep your home safe from a Medicaid lien. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and ne...

What does a guardian ad litem do in a probate?

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What does a guardian ad litem do in a probate? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, yo...

Do not let your estate planning attorney keep your original docs.

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do not let your estate planning attorney keep your original docs. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington Stat...

A revocable trust always travels with a will.

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A revocable trust always travels with a will. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you...

What to do if your estate planning attorney retires.

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What to do if your estate planning attorney retires. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need he...

The best first irrevocable trust to create for estate tax avoidance.

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The best first irrevocable trust to create for estate tax avoidance. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington S...

What do drug dealers, adult website owners, and the ultra-wealthy have in common?

15 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What do drug dealers, adult website owners, and the ultra-wealthy have in common? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in...

What happens to a car lease when someone dies?

14 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What happens to a car lease when someone dies? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, yo...

What is a foreign will?

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is a foreign will? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a free strate...

Two things you need to know to create an estate plan.

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Two things you need to know to create an estate plan. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need h...

Who pays estate taxes owed by an estate?

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Who pays estate taxes owed by an estate? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can ...

QPRTs - qualified personal residence trusts - what you need to know.

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

QPRTs - qualified personal residence trusts - what you need to know. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington S...

What to do when trustor dies.

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What to do when trustor dies. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a free ...

How to redo your trust without starting over.

05 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to redo your trust without starting over. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you...

How does the gift tax work?

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How does the gift tax work? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a free st...

How to pick a great Trustee.

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to pick a great Trustee. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a free s...

How much maintenance is required for a revocable living trust?

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How much maintenance is required for a revocable living trust? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State a...

Gift taxes explained.

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gift taxes explained. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a free strategy...

Estate planning with an ex-spouse - what NOT to do.

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Estate planning with an ex-spouse - what NOT to do. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need hel...

What is a self-settled irrevocable trust?

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is a self-settled irrevocable trust? We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can...

How to change an irrevocable trust - yes it’s possible.

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to change an irrevocable trust - yes it’s possible. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and ne...

How to keep random people from claiming they’re your kids for inheritance.

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to keep random people from claiming they’re your kids for inheritance. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to...

Real estate upgrades when the first spouse dies.

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Real estate upgrades when the first spouse dies. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, ...

Estate planning with an ex-spouse. An example of what not to do.

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Estate planning with an ex-spouse. An example of what not to do. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State...

Retirement account beneficiary must-dos.

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Retirement account beneficiary must-dos. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can ...

Do you even need a trust?

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a free strategy session here - https:/...

Beneficiary designations and pension plans.

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a free strategy session here - https:/...

Trust assets and taxes explained.

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a free strategy session here - https:/...

What does a revocable living trust do?

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a free strategy session here - https:/...

Probate alternatives.

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Probate alternatives. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can protect your family, pro...

How to pick a great Trustee.

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a free strategy session here - https:/...

How to keep your house in the family FOREVER.

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to keep your house in the family FOREVER. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you...

Beneficiary designation vs. Trust - here’s who wins.

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beneficiary designation vs. Trust - here_s who wins. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need he...

Trust assets and taxes explained.

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Trust assets and taxes explained. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you can get a f...