Estate Planning Strategies

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...

How to get access to a dead person’s email.

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to get access to a dead person_s email. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help, you c...

How to set up a trust for a blended family.

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to set up a trust for a blended family. Need help with estate planning or probate? - https://cmslawfirm.com

How to transfer an inherited IRA to your own IRA.

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to transfer an inherited IRA to your own IRA. We do estate planning. We do probate. We do it well. If you are in Washington State and need help,...

Should you worry about the government taking all of your property when you die?

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The government is a small player with a BIG role in your estate planning. Here’s the inside scoop. #estateplanning #trusts #realestate #attorneysof...

Should you put rental properties in separate LLCs and separate trusts?

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rental property and asset protection. There is a theory out there that for every rental property you own you should have a separate trust AND a separ...

Estate planning attorney hiring guide.

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s how to hire an estate planning attorney that will do great work for you. #estateplanning #trusts #realestate #estateplanningattorneys #lega...

Divorcing? You MUST update your estate plan.

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you die while in the process of divorcing, your future ex-spouse could get EVERYTHING. Here’s how to prevent that. #estateplanning #trusts #real...

What to do if your estate planning attorney retires.

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There are a bunch of old estate planning lawyers out there retiring. Here’s what to do if yours does. #estateplanning #trusts #realestate #estatepl...

House in Trust: When Does the Step-Up Occur?

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you put a house into a revocable living trust, you can get a step-up on a tax basis. If you’re married and in a community property state like W...

Why Probate Sucks and How to Avoid It

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Probate is the legal process of transferring assets after death. It can be costly, time-consuming, and frustrating. The good news is that avoiding pr...

Inherited retirement accounts? Here’s what you need to know!

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you inherited a retirement account? Learn more about managing an inherited IRA or 401k to minimize income taxes. Plan your distributions wisely t...

A Trust is Not Always the Best Place to Put a House

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that sometimes putting your house in a trust isn’t the best way to leave it to your kids? If you have one or two kids who agree on what...

What to do if an attorney says they are too busy.

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What to do if an attorney says they are too busy. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning and probate, and we do it well. If you need help, we’d lov...

Probate strategy when there’s no family left.

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Probate strategy when there’s no family left. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning and probate, and we do it well. If you need help, we’d love ...

What is a self-settled irrevocable trust?

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is a self-settled irrevocable trust? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning and probate, and we do it well. If you need help, we’d love to tal...

Tax assessment for real estate valuation is BAD.

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tax assessment for real estate valuation is BAD. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning and probate, and we do it well. If you need help, we’d love...

Person dies - Someone living in the house How to get them out.

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Person dies - Someone living in the house How to get them out. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning and probate, and we do it well. If you need hel...

Trust on a trust on trust is usually not a good idea.

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Trust on a trust on trust is usually not a good idea. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning and probate, and we do it well. If you need help, we’d...

Here’s who pays irrevocable trust tax income.

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s who pays irrevocable trust tax income. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning and probate, and we do it well. If you need help, we’d love ...

3 common trust distributions provisions.

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

3 common trust distributions provisions. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning and probate, and we do it well. If you need help, we’d love to talk...

What happens to your house when the first spouse dies?

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What happens to your house when the first spouse dies? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how...

Calculating the tax basis of real estate when you combine gift and sale.

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Calculating the tax basis of real estate when you combine gift and sale. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning and probate, and we do it well. If yo...

Divorce - when you should update your estate plan.

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Divorce - when you should update your estate plan. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you...

Gift to spouse - is there a tax on that?

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gift to spouse - is there a tax on that? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can prote...

Here’s how to sell a property in a revocable trust.

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s how to sell a property in a revocable trust. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how ...

What happens to real estate - and the mortgage - when the first spouse dies?

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What happens to real estate - and the mortgage - when the first spouse dies? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to...

Why do legal documents cost so much - a story.

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why do legal documents cost so much - a story. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can...

Your kids probably won’t spend your money wisely.

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your kids probably won’t spend your money wisely. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how yo...

Is a dynasty trust an irrevocable trust?

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is a dynasty trust an irrevocable trust? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can prote...

How to get Will if old lawyer has it.

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to get Will if old lawyer has it. 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 ...

Blended family - hope your step-parent doesn’t die last.

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Blended family - hope your step-parent doesn’t die last. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about ...

Does moving your house into your trust increase insurance?

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Does moving your house into your trust increase insurance? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about...

How many trusts are you allowed to have

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How many trusts are you allowed to have? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can prote...

In estate planning don’t look too far ahead.

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In estate planning don’t look too far ahead. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can...

How to transfer assets outside the United States.

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to transfer assets outside the United States. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you ...

How long does it take to get paid in a probate?

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How long does it take to get paid in a probate? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you ca...

Divorce - the perfect time - and wrong time - to update your estate plan.

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Divorce - the perfect time - and wrong time - to update your estate plan. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to ta...

How is separate property divided in probate?

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How is separate property divided in probate? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can p...

Don’t look to far ahead when estate planning.

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t look to far ahead when estate planning. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you ca...

Do we have notaries at the firm?

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do we have notaries at the firm? 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 ...

HOR - Why is a trust better than an LLC for real estate distributions?

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

HOR - Why is a trust better than an LLC for real estate distributions? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk ...

When dealing with a split family, is probate inevitable?

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When dealing with a split family, is probate inevitable? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about h...

HOR - 2026 estate tax reversion explained.

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

HOR - 2026 estate tax reversion explained. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can pro...

What to do when family members steal after death?

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What to do when family members steal after death? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you ...

The worst way to transfer assets to your minor children.

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The worst way to transfer assets to your minor children. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about h...

What is the best way to leave your house to your kids when it’s paid off?

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is the best way to leave your house to your kids when it’s paid off? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to ...

What happens if you name Donald Trump as your executor?

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What happens if you name Donald Trump as your executor? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about ho...

Trust question - what is the merger doctrine?

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Trust question - what is the merger doctrine? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can ...

How to sell a house with a mortgage on it.

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to sell a house with a mortgage on it. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can pro...

Trust question - what happens to trust property after you die?

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Trust question - what happens to trust property after you die? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you a...

How do LLCs give you asset protection?

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do LLCs give you asset protection? 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...

Trust question - put both spouses’ names on it or just one?

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Trust question - put both spouses’ names on it or just one? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you ab...

Take care of your parents without messing up medicaid.

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Take care of your parents without messing up medicaid. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how...

Can you take real estate out of a revocable living trust?

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can you take real estate out of a revocable living trust? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about ...

The end of anonymous LLCs in 2024!

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The end of anonymous LLCs in 2024! 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 you...

Should you update your estate plan when you get divorced?

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Should you update your estate plan when you get divorced? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about ...

Death - inheritance - rise from the dead - what happens?

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Death - inheritance - rise from the dead - what happens? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about h...

Gift tax rules for spouses.

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gift tax rules for spouses. 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 famil...

Creative idea for an anonymous LLC.

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Creative idea for an anonymous LLC. 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 yo...

Is Trust income taxed to trust or beneficiary?

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is Trust income taxed to trust or beneficiary? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can...

Beneficiary of a beneficiary, a good will witness?

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beneficiary of a beneficiary, a good will witness? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you...

What if you sue someone and they die?

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What if you sue someone and they die? 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 ...

How long does a trust last?

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How long does a trust last? 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 famil...

How to transfer a business without having to go through probate.

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to transfer a business without having to go through probate. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you...

Who picks the trustees of a trust?

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Who picks the trustees of a trust? 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 you...

When estate planning, remember you cannot predict the future.

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When estate planning, remember you cannot predict the future. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you ab...

How long can a house stay in a trust?

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How long can a house stay in a trust? 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 ...

Do overseas gifts have to pay gift tax?

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do overseas gifts have to pay gift tax? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can protec...

Estate planning for children with disabilities.

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Estate planning for children with disabilities. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you ca...

Do you need a pourover will with a living trust?

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do you need a pourover will with a living trust? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you c...

HOR - Don’t look to far ahead when estate planning.

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

HOR - Don’t look to far ahead when estate planning. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how ...

How to put a house into a trust.

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to put a house into a trust. 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 ...

Divorce - the perfect time - and wrong time - to update your estate plan.

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Divorce - the perfect time - and wrong time - to update your estate plan. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to ta...

The hard way to give a house to 3 people.

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The hard way to give a house to 3 people. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can prot...

Where did the $12.92 million estate tax exemption amount come from?

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Where did the $12.92 million estate tax exemption amount come from? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to ...

The best way to give a house to 3 people.

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The best way to give a house to 3 people. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can prot...

Estate planning horror story #2?

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Estate planning horror story #2? 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 ...

Real estate is 50-50 if community property even if not in your name.

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Real estate is 50-50 if community property even if not in your name. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to...

Can you disinherit someone by giving them $1?

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can you disinherit someone by giving them $1? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can ...

How probate attorneys get paid.

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How probate attorneys get paid. 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 f...

HOR - Why is a trust better than an LLC for real estate distributions?

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

HOR - Why is a trust better than an LLC for real estate distributions? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk ...

House into trust - here’s one thing you should do.

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

House into trust - here’s one thing you should do. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how y...

What if you can’t find the original will?

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What if you can’t find the original will? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can pr...

Another reason I hate community property agreements.

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Another reason I hate community property agreements. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how y...

What happens if you get an inheritance while giver is still alive?

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What happens if you get an inheritance while giver is still alive? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to y...

Can you record a transfer on death deed after death?

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can you record a transfer on death deed after death? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how y...

Probate alternatives.

21 Mar 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...

Beneficiary designations trump your Will.

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beneficiary designations trump your Will. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can prot...

Cousins witnessed Will. Is it valid?

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cousins witnessed Will. Is it valid? 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 y...

What do you need to do to create a revocable trust?

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What do you need to do to create a revocable trust? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how yo...

When a bad Will doesn’t matter.

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When a bad Will doesn’t matter. 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...

What deed is needed to transfer to an irrevocable trust?

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What deed is needed to transfer to an irrevocable trust? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about h...

How to get an old dead person off of a property.

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to get an old dead person off of a property. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you c...

How do you remove a deceased spouse from real estate?

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you remove a deceased spouse from real estate? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how ...

How an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) works.

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) works. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how ...

Dead spouse. Income tax. Mortgage.

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dead spouse. Income tax. Mortgage. 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 you...

Specificity in your estate plan is REALLY important.

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Specificity in your estate plan is REALLY important. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how y...

Can you put your house into an irrevocable trust?

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can you put your house into an irrevocable trust? At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you ...

HOR - 2026 estate tax reversion explained.

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

HOR - 2026 estate tax reversion explained. At CMS Law Firm we do estate planning, we do it well, and we’d love to talk to you about how you can pro...