The Law Office of Julie Jansen

02/17/2026

Washington’s estate tax rates have increased for estates over $3 million, with the top rate now reaching 35% for estates valued above $9 million (for deaths on or after July 1, 2025).

With rising property values in our state, more families may fall into these thresholds than they realize.

If you haven’t reviewed your estate plan recently, now may be a good time to take a look and understand how these changes could affect your family.

Attached is an illustration created by the Seattle Times about the new tax increases.

01/28/2026

Did you know in Washington state if you die without a Will anyone can file a probate proceeding after 40 days. No relationship required. Just one more excellent reason you need a well thought out estate plan!

DETAILS:

During a hearing on Tuesday, the Attorney General's Office pushed for new legislation to bring protection and transparency to the probate system.

07/29/2025

A great reminder of the top six reasons why it’s important to have a will from Farm Bureau Financial Services.

A will is an important estate planning document that allows you to document your wishes and minimize conflicts after your passing. Learn why you need one.

09/18/2024

Did you know that less than half of all adults living in America have a will? Even more shocking is this number is decreasing year after year.

Do not be one of these individuals. Having a detailed estate plan is vitally important for every adult. Here’s a great article from Forbes detailing the legal documents to be considered and their purposes.

Having an estate plan is among the most important things you can do for your loved ones. It is, however, a task many of us dread and put off dealing with until later in life. If there is one thing we can recommend, it is that it is never too early to start planning, but it can be too late.

10/09/2023

Just a friendly reminder to all those pet owners, make sure to get your affairs in order 💀🥴😂

02/13/2023

One of the biggest reasons people need to have a will is the following:

If you die without a will in Washington with a spouse and shared children together. Your partner will get 100% of the community property and only 1/2 of any separate property. The other half will be divided evenly among your children.

If you die without a will in Washington with a spouse, no children but your parents are alive. Your partner gets the community property and 3/4 of separate property. Your parents get 1/4 of any separate property.

Estate planning is really important to make sure your family has the resources it needs to continue without you. If you have children or are married, you need a will!

You can read more about intestate succession and its pitfalls in this great article.

In this detailed guide of Washington inheritance laws, we break down intestate succession, probate, taxes, what makes a will valid and more.

01/18/2023

It’s tax prep season again. This is an excellent time to get your estate plan done as well.

These attorneys have seen it all, and they want you to avoid these costly legal and financial problems for your family's sake.

08/10/2021

Less than half of all Americans have a will according to the latest Gallup pole 😱 Even scarier is a tiny 36% of all 30-49 year olds have a will and these are people with minor children! This article from Gallup examines who is doing estate planning and highlights the growing disparity amongst ages and ethnicities. This is troubling to say the least. Estate planning should be attainable for everyone and is important for everyone to consider.

Many clients think that the process will be intimidating or too expensive and are always pleasantly surprised that it’s not what they thought it would be. As always I’m happy to answer questions should you have them.

Wills describe how an individual's money and estate are handled after their death. What percentage of Americans have one of these basic elements of financial planning?

03/03/2021

Just a friendly reminder that tax time is an excellent time of year to get your estate documents done 📝

Although we typically associate the term “estate” with the ultra-wealthy, estate planning is not just for the rich. Everyone, regardless of family dynamics or financial status, can benefit from having an estate plan—a collection of documents that specify how you want your assets distributed.

08/13/2020

Since the beginning of this pandemic I have been asked frequently if online wills are the best option to get one’s affairs in order. My answer continues to be no, and here’s why...
First, in this pandemic it’s much more likely you would need an advanced healthcare directive (outlines your wishes about medical intervention in certain scenarios) and a power of attorney (this allows you to name a person to act as your agent if your incapacitated for any reason). Wills are additionally important but in this unprecedented time those two documents may prove to be even more important to you and your estate if your were to hospitalized with COVID-19.
Second, online wills are innately troublesome. There are many requirements to make a will valid including having uninterested and unrelated witnesses sign your will. Many people miss this key point to validity and have a relative by blood or marriage witness their document. Wills also need to be notarized, this again seems to be problematic for people as they often ignore this requirement all together.

The article I have attached from CNBC outlines these issues nicely and discusses the importance of seeking an attorney, especially now amidst this pandemic.

With COVID-19 impacting more and more Americans, individuals across the country are scrambling to set up wills and end-of-life directives.

06/25/2019

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2019/05/21/arts/did-aretha-franklin-leave-her-will-under-the-couch-cushion.amp.html

Please don’t be like Aretha, get your estate plan in order and in a secure location 😬

Handwritten documents have surfaced that suggest the celebrated singer had given much thought to how she wanted her assets distributed after she died.