🌲 Washington State Estate Planning
Estate Planning in Washington —
Protect Your Estate from WA's Estate Tax
Washington State has its own estate tax starting at $2.193M — one of the lowest thresholds in the country — with rates up to 20%. Whether you're in Seattle, Spokane, or Tacoma, the right estate plan can protect your family from a tax bill they weren't expecting.
Washington State Estate Planning at a Glance
Washington Has One of the Strictest Estate Tax Laws in the Nation
$2.19M
WA Estate Tax Threshold
20%
Max WA Estate Tax Rate
100%
Probate Avoidance (w/ Trust)
Free
Initial Consultation
Core Services
Estate Planning Documents Every Washington Resident Needs
Wills, Trusts & ILITs
Washington's estate tax makes proper trust planning essential. An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) keeps life insurance proceeds out of your taxable estate, while a revocable living trust avoids probate and provides privacy. For larger estates, a charitable trust or family limited partnership may reduce the tax burden further.
- ✓ Revocable Living Trusts
- ✓ Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)
- ✓ Community Property Agreements
- ✓ Pour-Over Wills
Powers of Attorney
Washington's probate process for larger estates can be slow and costly. A Durable Power of Attorney and Healthcare Directive ensure your family can manage your affairs immediately if you're incapacitated, without waiting for a judge to authorize anything. These are foundational documents every Washington resident needs.
- ✓ Durable Financial POA
- ✓ Healthcare POA
- ✓ Advance Healthcare Directive
- ✓ HIPAA Authorization
Beneficiary & Insurance Reviews
In Washington, life insurance owned directly by you is included in your taxable estate. If your estate is approaching $2.19M, a beneficiary review combined with an ILIT strategy can significantly reduce your Washington estate tax bill. We review all policies, annuities, and retirement accounts with this in mind.
- ✓ Life Insurance & ILIT Coordination
- ✓ IRA & 401(k) Beneficiary Review
- ✓ Annuity Estate Tax Planning
- ✓ Complete Asset Inventory
Washington-Specific Considerations
What Every Washington Resident Should Know
🌲 Washington's Estate Tax: Lower Threshold Than Federal
While the federal estate tax doesn't kick in until $13.6M per individual, Washington's estate tax begins at just $2.193M — meaning many homeowners in Seattle and the Eastside could owe state estate taxes without proper planning. With home values, retirement accounts, and life insurance combined, more families than expect may be affected.
💡 ILITs: Keep Life Insurance Out of Your Taxable Estate
Life insurance proceeds are included in your taxable estate if you own the policy. An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) removes the policy from your estate entirely. The proceeds are then available to pay estate taxes or support your heirs without adding to the taxable estate. This is one of the most effective Washington estate tax reduction strategies available.
🏠 Community Property & Slower Probate
Washington is a community property state, meaning most assets acquired during marriage belong to both spouses equally. Washington also has one of the slower probate processes for larger estates. A revocable living trust sidesteps probate entirely, protecting your family from months of court delays and keeping your financial affairs private.
Service Area
Serving Washington Residents Statewide
Free Consultation
Get Your Washington Estate Plan Started
Answer a few quick questions and Rodney will reach out to discuss the right estate planning strategy for your Washington situation — including WA estate tax, ILITs, and community property — at no cost and no pressure.
Get Started
Answer a few quick questions so we can match you with the best options — takes about 2 minutes.
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