When should you switch from a Will to a Revocable Living Trust in Washington State?

Creating a Will is often the first step in estate planning—and for many people, it is sufficient. But as your life changes, your estate plan may need to evolve too. One of the most common upgrades? Switching from a Will to a Revocable Living Trust.

If you live in Washington State and you’re wondering whether now is the right time to make the switch, here’s what you should know.

First, What’s the Difference Between a Will and a Revocable Trust?

  • A Will outlines your wishes for your estate after you pass away, including who gets what and who will serve as your personal representative. But it must go through probate court to oversee the administration of your estate.
  • A Revocable Living Trust is a private legal document that holds title to your assets during your lifetime. You remain in control (as trustee) and can change or revoke it at any time. At your death, the trust passes your assets directly to your beneficiaries without probate court oversight.

When It’s Time to Consider Switching to a Trust

Here are some common situations where moving from a Will to a Revocable Trust may be the smart move:

1. You Own Real Estate in More Than One State

If you own real estate outside of Washington State, a Will means your estate may be subject to multiple probates—one in each state. A Revocable Trust avoids this by allowing those properties to transfer directly through the trust, no matter where they are located, without the need for probate.

2. You Don’t Want Your Estate To Go Through Probate

Even though probate in Washington isn’t as complex as in other states, it’s still a court process which is a public record (anyone can see your assets, debts, and how much your heirs received), an added legal expense for your estate. A Revocable Trust allows your estate to avoid probate entirely.

How to Switch from a Will to a Trust

Making the switch involves more than just drafting a new document. To make the trust effective, you’ll need to fund it, meaning you re-title assets such as your real estate into the name of the trust. Our office will handle the re-titling for you for your real estate.

Conclusion

At DAL Law Firm, we can help you with your estate plan. Whether you want to start out with a will, you want to utilize a trust, or maybe your prior estate plan needs some updates; we are here to help you.  

If you would like to consult with our office regarding estate planning services, we would be happy to assist you! Our telephone number is (206) 408-8158.

You can also learn more about our services by visiting our website:

https://www.dallawfirm.com

Or visit our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@dallawfirm.

Contact us:

19803 1st Avenue S.
Suite 200
Normandy Park, WA 98148

T (206) 408-8158
F (206) 374-2810

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