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Estate Planning

Prepare for life’s uncertainties with personalized estate planning. We offer Simple Wills to distribute your assets, Durable Powers of Attorney for financial and medical matters, and Healthcare Directives to outline your medical preferences. Protect your loved ones and gain peace of mind knowing your wishes will be honored.

Simple Wills

Simple Wills are designed for individuals and families who do not require additional tax planning or the creation of a trust. These Wills are ideal for those with assets under the estate tax threshold and provide a straightforward way to distribute personal belongings according to your wishes. If you have minor children, a Will also allows you to name a guardian who will care for your children if you pass away. In your Will, you will designate a Personal Representative to act as the Executor of your estate to handle your final wishes and affairs.

Durable Powers of Attorney

A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) is a legal document that allows you to designate someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Unlike a regular Power of Attorney, a DPOA remains in effect or only activates upon disability/incapacitation, ensuring that your financial and medical affairs are managed when you cannot. It does not grant authority to change your estate planning documents, such as your Will. You can revoke or terminate a DPOA at any time and it automatically ends upon your death, after which your Personal Representative takes over managing your final affairs.

Healthcare Directive

A Healthcare Directive, also known as a “Living Will”, allows you to specify your wishes regarding life-sustaining medical treatments if you are diagnosed by two physicians to be in a permanently unconscious state, unable to make decisions for yourself, and medical treatment would serve only to artificially prolong the process of dying. Your Durable Power of Attorney is directed to use this document to follow your medical values and wishes. This document is meant to work alongside medical orders like a Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order.

Frequently Asked Questions

I wrote out my wishes about who should get my property when I die on a piece of paper and signed it. Isn’t that good enough?

No, it is a common but incorrect belief that you can make a Will in Washington by simply writing out your wishes and signing it. This type of written statement fails to meet the minimum requirements for a valid Will. Morgan Law will ensure your Will is properly drafted, legally valid, and reflects your wishes accurately.

Can I change my Will?

Yes, you can create your Will now and update it at any time in the future to reflect any changes in your family, property, or wishes. It is recommended that you review your estate plan every couple of years or when there is a major life event. If you currently have a Simple Will and would like to make changes, Morgan Law can assist you to validly execute a new Will with your desired wishes.

Can I cross out a gift or beneficiary on my Will and write a new one above it?

No, making any marks such as strikethroughs or additional words or names on your Will after it has been executed will invalidate it and your property will then be distributed according to your last validly executed Will that does not have any markings on it, or by law. If you desire changes on your Will, Morgan law can assist you to validly execute a new Will with your desired wishes.

I created my Will in another state, then moved to Washington. Is my Will still valid?

Generally, yes, a properly executed Will written in one state in accordance with law will most often hold up if you move to a different state. However, each state has its own laws regarding Wills and Trusts, and Washington law may have an effect on your out-of-state Will regarding the distribution of marital property and who can serve as your Personal Representative. It is best practice to update your Will when you move to a new state, Morgan Law will ensure your Will is properly drafted, reflects your wishes, and is legally valid according to the laws of Washington.

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