Christopher S. Mulvaney,

Attorney and Counselor-at-Law

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THIS WEBSITE INCLUDES GENERAL INFORMATION & THE OPINIONS OF CHRISTOPHER S. MULVANEY. IT IS INTENDED TO STIMULATE A BASIS FOR QUESTIONS RELATED TO YOUR PARTICULAR FACTUAL CIRCUMSTANCES — BEFORE YOU ACT.  THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU WANT LEGAL ADVICE, PLEASE MAKE A ZOOM APPOINTMENT TO SPEAK WITH ME.

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Gonzaga University School of Law – Spokane, Washington – Class of 2002 – Cum Laude The Latin phrase “Deo patriae, scientiis, artibus” translates to “For God and country through sciences and arts”.  The initials A.M.D.G. on the seal of Gonzaga Law School stand for Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, which is Latin for “For the Greater Glory of God” the Motto of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits): a Catholic religious order founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola.

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Understanding Estates and how they work can be important for preserving family harmony and avoiding disputes. Misunderstandings, minconceptions, and unreasonable expectations not based on facts can all lead to trouble. Shared learning and communication can go a long way to making everything work better.

 

The word Estate has a lot of different meanings. In the context of a deceased person, an Estate is everything that is owned and everything that is owed on the date of death. Estates are often described by their net value. A Probate Estate is that part of a deceased person’s property that cannot be transferred in any other way than obtaining an appointment as Personal Representative (FKA Executor) of the Estate by the Court that has exclusive jurisdiction over dead people’s property and that is Probate Court.

 

There are several ways to avoid Probate: Transfer on Death Deeds for Real Estate, Beneficiary Designations for retirement and brokerage accounts and life insurance, payable on death designations for bank accounts, and titling assets such as real estate or bank accounts in your name as Trustee of your Revocable Living Trust. Estate Planning is a broad term that encompasses all Probate and Non-Probate property, creditor claims, final tax return, estate tax return if necessary, administration costs and selling of assets, and final distribution to beneficiaries, as well as financial and healthcare agency during life while a person is unable to handle financial or healthcare affairs.

 

The mechanics of Trust Administration often involve the sale of Real Estate after a Death Certificate is recorded pursuant to a Transfer on Death Deed transferring the home into a Trust.

 

Another frequent issue is retirement accounts. Beneficiaries have 10 years to make distributions, so it is important not to cash out the whole account all at one.

 

Other assets tend to be bank accounts, contents of homes, and vehicles. The Department of Licensing has an Affidavit that can be used with a Death Certificate to transfer motor vehicles.

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Washington State residents can meet with me in Zoom/DocuSign from anywhere in the world, and I can notarize their electronic signatures because I am a remote online notary.  Just email me an image of your photo ID.