Author Archive | O'Brien Law Firm

Entrepreneurs are some of the most motivated and focused people in Washington. Most also understand that an estate plan is an essential part of their success, as carefully constructed wills and trusts can protect a person’s assets even after death. Unfortunately, estate planning once is not enough — a plan must also be regularly updated…. Read More

Many Washington residents may still believe that only rich people need to make formal plans for when they pass away. In most cases, that could not be farther from the truth. Nearly every adult could benefit from estate planning. If a Washington resident has children from a prior relationship and is now married, failing to… Read More

Wills are one of the most common documents found in Washington estate plans. While wills are an essential and important aspect of estate planning, many people still fail to address some of the more uncomfortable topics. Instead of avoiding the difficult topics regarding end-of-life care and other unavoidable events, engaging in open dialogue can help… Read More

For many people, the thought of planning for their financial future seems large and scary. Others think that estate planning simply means making sure that they have life insurance to pass on to their loved ones, but neither of these is the case. While planning for the future does not have to be a frightening… Read More

When deciding on one’s future, people often become confused about the differences in a trust and a will. During estate planning, it is important to understand these differences and how each one is used. For those who are making future plans in Washington, understanding these can be vital. One of the main differences between trusts… Read More

There are several things to consider when deciding who will get what when a person has passed on. While most people focus on the will as the end-all in estate planning, beneficiaries are just as important. Those who are working on an estate plan in Washington should not only consider their will but also who… Read More

In today’s world, a great deal of business is done online. Most Washington companies are no exception to this fact and offer ways for a customer to go paperless. Many people receive electronic statements in lieu of receipts, have auto payments taken out of their bank accounts, and pay their bills online. This convenience can,… Read More

While parents are often caught up in the idea that they should treat all of their children equally, this is not always possible when one has a special needs child. In fact, as the name suggests, these children have special needs and often will from the time that they are born until the day that… Read More

Planning ahead is vital to making sure that a person’s loved ones are taken care of after he or she has passed away. Unfortunately, even when a person is careful, he or she can make state planning mistakes that cost his or her loved ones a lot of cash. It is important not to avoid… Read More

Many Washington residents are aware of the benefits of establishing a trust. These estate planning tools are among the most popular options for families who are looking for a way to hand down assets with minimal loss due to taxation. However, in order to reap the benefits of a trust, it is important to understand… Read More

There are several types of documents that can be used for end-of-life planning. Because of this, it can often be confusing to some to choose which ones they actually need. In Washington, as in other states, estate planning is an important undertaking. Knowing which documents are needed can make it much easier. One of the… Read More

On behalf of O’Brien, Barton & Hopkins PLLP posted in estate planning on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. When it comes to planning for the future of their loved ones, people tend to overlook wills and trusts as a means of security. Ironically, for estate planning, wills and trusts are a much more secure way to… Read More

The death of a loved one is often a stressful time for the immediate family. Fortunately, there are ways that one can minimize this stress and make this time about celebrating life rather than sinking under the mounting decisions that must be made. While many Washington residents have already recognized the need for estate planning,… Read More