Estate Planning Lawyer 
in Seattle

How Our Firm Helps You Create an Estate Plan

At Damisi Velasquez Attorney at Law, we take a thoughtful and personalized approach to estate planning. We begin by understanding your family structure, financial situation, long-term goals, and personal preferences. From there, we design a plan that reflects your specific needs and priorities.

Our process typically includes:

• Reviewing your assets and family circumstances
• Discussing your goals for asset distribution and care decisions
• Drafting customized estate planning documents
• Safeguarding legal compliance under Washington law
• Explaining each document clearly so you understand your plan
• Updating or revising plans as your life circumstances change

We focus on clarity and practicality so your plan is not only legally valid, but also easy for your family to understand and carry out when needed.

Estate Planning Tools We Use

Estate planning involves several key legal tools, each serving a different purpose in protecting your wishes and your family.

Wills

A will outlines how your assets will be distributed after your death. It names a personal representative to manage your estate, pay debts, and distribute assets according to your instructions. Wills can also include provisions for trusts, minor children, and tax planning strategies.

Trusts

While a Will tells the court where you want your assets to go, a trust is a private, legal contract that allows you to control exactly how, when, and under what conditions your wealth is distributed. 

Trusts serve as a sophisticated alternative to probate, keeping your family’s financial affairs out of the public record, and they provide a seamless transition of management if you become incapacitated.

Trusts are the gold standard for asset protection and efficiency, becoming active the moment they are signed and funded. They provide three distinct advantages for Seattle families:

• Probate avoidance and privacy – Passing assets directly to your beneficiaries without court intervention, saving months of delays and keeping your private financial details off the public docket.
• Strategic protection for minors – A children’s trust allows you to schedule distributions for specific milestones, such as college tuition, a first home, or reaching a mature age like 25 or 30, while a trustee manages the funds in their best interests.
• Incapacity planning - If you are suddenly unable to manage your affairs due to illness or injury, your successor trustee can step in immediately to pay bills and manage investments without the need for a court-ordered guardianship.

The right trust depends on your goals. We help you navigate the various options available under Washington’s Uniform Trust Code:

• Revocable living trusts - The most common choice for families seeking flexibility, probate avoidance, and privacy. You maintain full control during your lifetime.
• Irrevocable trusts - Typically used for high-net-worth estate tax planning or long-term care (Medicaid) protection. These offer robust asset protection but involve a permanent transfer of control.
• Special needs trusts - Designed to provide for a disabled loved one without jeopardizing their eligibility for essential government benefits.

Health Care Directives

These directives allow you to specify whether you want life-sustaining treatment in end-of-life or terminal conditions.

Financial Powers of Attorney

Powers of attorney authorize someone you trust to manage financial matters on your behalf if you become incapacitated, including paying bills, handling banking, and managing taxes.

Medical Powers of Attorney

These documents designate someone to communicate with health care providers and make medical decisions if you are unable to do so.

Powers of attorney are only valid during your lifetime. Upon death, they are no longer effective, and your will or trust governs the distribution of your estate.