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About
The Mission
Strategic Estate Planning, PLLC provides tailored guidance through the estate planning process. Your estate plan will include your goals and wishes as well as implement tax and charitable planning as needed. We aim to educate clients in order to make informed decisions about their estate.
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Strategic Estate Planning, PLLC provides virtual services to Washington residents: from client meetings to notarizing documents, to estate planning signing appointments. While in-person appointments are available on a limited basis, additional charges apply due to travel time.
The Firm
Attorney Jen Doehne has been working in the legal industry for over 20 years. She attended law school in Michigan, obtained her Masters of Laws in Taxation of High Net Worth Estates in Massachusetts, and earned a certificate as a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy.
After completing her education, Jen returned to her native Washington to practice estate planning. She enjoys assisting her clients in planning for the future. Her goal is to design estate plans that meets the needs and expectations of her clients as well as educating them as to certain techniques and tools, which result in a more positive result for their surviving family members.
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General Information
Estate Planning
Estate Planning is the step you take now in order to direct your heirs and beneficiaries as to your wishes after your death. Estate Planning typically also includes pre-death planning documents such as Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives.
In Washington, Estate Planning should always consist of a Will, which directs the transfer of your assets. If you have minor children, your Will also dictates who you believe will be the best fit to act as guardian and conservator over your children. This Will might contain all or most of the directions you set as to the disposition of your assets or it might simply direct use of an additional estate planning tool such as a Living Trust.
Trusts may take many different forms. A trust might be "testamentary" which means the terms of the trust are in your Will (aka your testament) and don't take effect until after death. A trust created during life may be revocable (ie may be revised by you) or irrevocable (ie cannot be changed by anyone). Certain types of trusts provide different benefits, such as estate tax protection, delayed inheritance for children, support assistance for disabled friends or family, and charitable giving.
Probate
Probate is the process of legally transferring assets after death. It involves a court procedure, as the court will do its best to ensure the legal transfer of assets to quash any adverse claims later. Probate also typically includes a "creditor claim" procedure, which may reduce the period of time a creditor (such as a credit card or loan) may have to make a claim, thus giving peace of mind after the deadline to the surviving family.There are methods which can be used to avoid or reduce the amount of probate required in Washington such as a Community Property Agreements, beneficiary designations, Transfer on Death Deeds, or Trusts. While not feasibly possible in every case, if you are interested, ask your attorney to discuss probate work-arounds further.
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