
THIS WEBSITE INCLUDES GENERAL INFORMATION & THE OPINIONS OF CHRISTOPHER S. MULVANEY.
THESE ARE INTENTED 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 AN APPOINTMENT TO SPEAK WITH ME.
ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE ATTORNEY IN BELLEVUE
For married couples, I would prioritize estate planning as follows:
- If I could only have one (1) document type, I would get a Transfer on Death Deed (TODD) for $300 (most valuable by far);
- (Plus $300 for recording which can be charged at this LawPay Credit Card Payment Link for a total of $600 for a recorded TODD)(Electronic recording is not available in Snohomish County);
- (Quitclaim Deeds are $350 to prepare and $300 to record for a total cost of $650 each);
- (The second most valuable estate planning tools are beneficiary designations, which are free).
- If I could have two (2) document types prepared, I would add Powers of Attorney for Finances & Health for $100 each ($200 total);
- If I could have three (3) document types, I would add a Living Will and Mental Health Advance Directive for $100 each ($200 total);
- If I could have four (4) document types, I would add a Revocable Living Trust for $600;
- The total cost adds up to $1,600 including electronic recording of a Transfer on Death Deed by email in two (2) days.
For single people, I would prioritize estate planning as follows:
- The Transfer on Death Deed price is $300 (most valuable by far);
- (Plus $300 for recording which can be charged at this LawPay Credit Card Payment Link for a total of $600 for a recorded TODD) (Electronic recording is not available in Snohomish County);
- (Quitclaim Deeds are $350 to prepare and $300 to record for a total cost of $650 each);
- (The second most valuable estate planning tools are beneficiary designations, which are free);
- The Powers of Attorney for Finances & Health, Living Wills and Advance Directives are $75 each ($300 total);
- The Revocable Living Trust is $400;
- The total cost adds up to $1,300 including electronic recording of a Transfer on Death Deed by email in two (2) days.
The $300 cost of recording a Deed is reimbursement of what it costs me to record (ONLY IN KING COUNTY).
Recording costs are fixed and irrelevant to legal insurance.
I am not making money from cost reimbursement; I just do electronic recording as a convenience to clients so they don’t have to wait four (4) months and pay postage both ways to record by mail.
THE PROCESS
PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS
So, once you have paid $2,600 for two single estate plans (if each party owns a home), and attached separate property exhibits to your Separate Trusts, then if you wish to sign the Prenuptial Agreement that keeps all property acquired after marriage community property, then the cost is $1,000. If you wish to add to separate property during marriage, the cost is $3,500.
Estate Planning is about people and relationships –
not paper and property.
Something you need to understand is that the standard forms themselves are of very little value. You can get the forms for free. Not just from MetLife, but from other online providers (such as the website with the statutory language for the forms). The value is in the understanding of what everything in the process means, and how to use that understanding for the benefit of yourself and your family and the relationships amongst everyone you list in your estate plan. You can’t get that from a form.
My forms are vastly better than free forms, and contain many links to additional information. One reason they are better is that they are continuously modified based on the questions and reactions of several thousand previous clients. The mistakes of previous clients are listed as warnings to future clients. No free “boilerplate” form can do that.
I look forward to meeting you and explaining how to get the most out of your estate planning documents.
Here is a Decision Tree to assist with conceptualizing passing Separate Property if married.

Christopher S. Mulvaney’s Mission:
To Always Be a Human Being First, and My Role Second.
To First, Do No Harm, then to provide the best legal outcome,
smoothest process, best value, and to make a positive difference in the life of every Client.
Christopher S. Mulvaney’s Mantra:
May I be filled with loving kindness for all life.
May I be safe from dangers within and without.
May I be healthy in body, mind, socially, and spiritually.
May I be at ease and happy, doing good in the world.
For more information about my practice in Bellevue, Washington, please consult my Blog.

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Mulvaney Law Offices, PLLC is located in Bellevue, Washington, representing estate planning, chapter 7 bankruptcy, and chapter 13 bankruptcy Clients in:
- Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue, Redmond, Renton, Issaquah, Sammamish, Maple Valley, Burien, SeaTac, and throughout King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties.