Will writing service in Washington

A Washington resident contemplating making a will can consider cost, whether to employ an attorney, whether to write the will by themselves among other things. The article provides insights on how much it will cost to write a valid will, the estate laws governing the will-making process, what happens after you die when you have a will and when you do not, and other insights on how to make a valid will. 

How much does it cost to write a will in Washington?

With just $300 to $1200, you can create a valid will in Washington. The cost varies depending on the type of will, the complexity of your estate, and the type of professional you engage to create a will for you – whether an online will writing company or an attorney. The attorney fees from one attorney to another. 

Can I Write a will without a lawyer in Washington?

Yes, you can write a will without a lawyer in Washington state. There is no legal requirement in Washington law that necessitates will makers to make wills with a lawyer. Washington residents can make the wills themselves or with the help of LegalPen, an online will-writing company. 

Is it Legal to Write Your Own Will in Washington?

Yes, it is legal to write your own will in Washington so as the will is written by yourself, signed by yourself or a person you have authorized to sign on your behalf in your presence and the presence of two witnesses. It is important to note that the will must be made out of free will; fraud, forgery, undue influence and pressure of any kind vitiates makes a will invalid. 

Does a will in Washington need to notarized 

No, there is no requirement for a will to be notarized by a notary public. However, to add the self-proving effect to a will, one may be required to swear a self-proving affidavit in the presence of a notary public who verifies the signatures and identity of the maker of the will. The affidavit allows the probate court to probate the will without the testimony of the witnesses. 

Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Will in Washington?

No, you do not need a lawyer to make a will in Washington. An adult of sound mind and reasoning can make the will themselves by making a list of their assets, liabilities, and beneficiaries, appointing an executor and a guardian for minor children and pets. 

Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Will in Washington

No, you do not need a lawyer to file a will in Washington; one may file their will or an executor may file the will at the Clerk’s Office of the Superior Court in the resident county. 

Are Online Wills Legal in Washington?

Yes, online wills are legal in Washington. It is one of the first states to allow its residents to create valid online wills. Online wills are created online and printed by the parties for signing, witnessing and storing. 

Create your online will today by contacting LegalPen. 

How to Include Digital Assets in a Washington Will

Digital assets in Washington include website content, blogs, domain names, and email accounts through business or web providers such as Gmail, text messages, online chat conversations, YouTube accounts, and other online video channels with monetized and sponsored content.

You can include digital assets in a Washington Will by making a list of the digital assets. After creating a list, you choose beneficiaries of your various digital assets and an executor who will administer the digital assets. 

How to Disinherit Someone in a Washington Will

Disinheriting someone is the act of excluding them from inheriting your property, assets and property under a will. In Washington, you have two options when disinheriting someone: you can eliminate them from the list of beneficiaries, or you can explicitly state in the will that you do not intend for them to inherit any property from your estate. 

How to Handle Debts and Liabilities in a Washington Will 

To avoid debtors suing your estate, you should state your debts and liabilities in the will. You can make a list of all your debts, for example mortgages,  personal loans, car and boat loans, loans against life insurance policies and loans against retirement accounts. After listing your debts and liabilities, you can create a priority list for the payment of the debts and liabilities and leave instructions to your executor on how the debts and liabilities will be paid. 

How to Provide for Minor Children in a Washington Will

You can provide for minor children in a Washington will by appointing a guardian who will take care of your minor children after death. The guardian will be responsible for the care of the children and will make decisions regarding the welfare of the children. The guardian should be capable of fulfilling their responsibilities. 

How to Store Your Washington Will Safely

Storing your will safely is an important aspect of the will-making process. You can store your will in a safe deposit box or with your attorney. Additionally, you can store it with the country clerk in the county where you reside. 

How to Contest a Will in Washington

Contesting a will is the process of challenging its validity. One can contest a will by filing a petition with the probate court. The reasons why one may contest a will include:

1. The maker of the will was of unsound mind; hence, they could not understand what they were doing or saying;
2. The maker of the will was under pressure or was manipulated to make the will;
3. The will is fake or has been altered, and 
4. The will was not properly executed.

What are No-Contest Clauses in Washington Wills?

A no-contest clause in a will is a clause that is included in the will to deter beneficiaries, interested persons or third parties from contesting the bequests in the will. No-contest clauses threaten disinheritance if a person contests any provisions in the will. An example of a no-contest clause is:          

“If any beneficiary contests the terms of this will by either filing a petition or making a complaint, the beneficiary shall not be entitled to any property under the terms of the will.”

What is the difference between probate in Washington and Arizona?

To a great extent, the probate process in Washington and Arizona is similar. The probate process, probate fees, probate timelines, executor responsibilities and court supervision are similar. The only stark difference is estate taxes; Washington does not have a state estate tax, while Arizona has a state estate law tax. To learn about the probate process in Arizona, check out will writing service in Arizona. 

How to Handle Foreign Property in a Washington Will

When you own foreign property in another country or on foreign land, you have two options, as follows:

1. Draft a supplemental will: in addition to your Washington will, you can draft a supplemental will that is valid in the country where the property you own is situated. When you make the supplemental will, refer to it in your main Washington will. 
2. Create an international will: you can create an international will that complies with the enacted Washington Convention. 

Before drafting either a supplemental will or an international will, consult with an estate attorney to provide guidance. 

How to Make a Will for Same-Sex Couples in Washington

In Washington, same-sex couples who are legally married share all the privileges that a traditional couple. Therefore, their will-making process is similar to that of a traditional couple. They can make a joint will or a mutual will, which allows them to provide for their family and friends or contribute to charity. Their will can make provisions for minors and allow them to name a person who will care for their children after their demise. 

How to Plan for Pet Care in Your Washington Will

Chapter RCW 11.118 of Washington law sets forth the establishment of pet trusts for your pets in the process of estate planning. You can plan for pet care in your Washington will by including a pet trust in your will. In the trust, you can appoint a trustee who will care for your pet, apportion an amount for care of your pet and establish how the money should be spent for your pet’s care. 

How to Handle Business Succession in a Washington Will

You can handle business succession in a Washington will by including a business succession plan in your will. The business succession plan includes business buy and sell out agreements, business purchase agreements or passing on your property to your beneficiaries. You can leave out instructions on how you would like the business interests and assets to be handled. 

How to Handle Out-of State Property in a Washington Will

You can handle out-of-state property in a Washington will by including the property that is out of state, for example, land in Arizona in your Washington will. A will that is valid in Washington will be valid in all other states of the United States. Upon your death, the property in the other state will be disposed of in accordance with your Washington will. 

What is the difference between Holographic Wills and Statutory wills in Washington 

Statutory wills and holographic wills are all types of wills. Holographic wills are handwritten wills that meet the formal validity of wills of their nature, such as they should be in writing, written in the handwriting of the maker of the will and signed by the maker of the will. Whereas, a statutory will is a will that complies with the statutory laws of estate planning in Washington.