I'd be pretty ticked if an attorney failed to tell me some of the strategies for handling an estate and avoiding probate. In fact, I would first wonder if the attorney is indeed an estate planning... More

I'd be pretty ticked if an attorney failed to tell me some of the strategies for handling an estate and avoiding probate. In fact, I would first wonder if the attorney is indeed an estate planning attorney. Not all attorneys can do all kinds of work - a business attorney doesn't have the same skills as an estate attorney. Perhaps you should get a better attorney recommendation. Actually, when it comes to estate planning you should really be looking at input from multiple angles: tax, legal, and administration. To that point, I have mentioned Garvey Schubert Barer as having some excellent attorneys. I've used these folks for my own estate planning, I've referred Tim, and he's also spoken at client education functions that I put on. Also good about working with them is the firm is large enough to have many specialties within one facility so if you need help outside the scope of what one attorney specializes in your contact can get help from a knowledgeable colleague. A former review for the firm was done on JB by me here: http://www.judysbook.com/cities/seattle/BtoB~Business-Attorneys/23534363/p1/Garvey_Schubert_Barer.htm Specifically, I would recommend Tim Burkart. Garvey Schubert Barer Tim Burkart - Estate Planning Attorney 1191 Second Ave, Fl 18 Seattle WA 98101 Phone: 206-464-3939 Ext.1467 Email: tburkart@gsblaw.com Web: www.gsblaw.com Also, you might consider looking into someone like the folks at Laird Norton Tyee for larger estates (I believe $5M is the minimum) for trust administration help. I like Mary Kazlusky for her extensive knowledge and experience but she is also a manager there so she likely has many good staff working with her: Laird Norton Tyee Mary Kazlusky 801 2nd Ave, Ste 1600 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-464-5217 Email: M.Kazluskey@LNTyee.com For tax issues I have a couple of recommendations: Foster + Company PS, CPAs Rick Mangan 113 Bell St Seattle, WA 98121 Phone: 206-448-7500 Email: rick@fosterco.com Web: www.fosterco.com Philip Maxeiner, CPA 1410 Market Street Kirkland, WA 98033 Phone: 425-827-6100 Fax: 425-828-6444 Email: pmaxeiner@maxeinercpa.com Good luck!
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I have several relationships with various GSB attorneys. In particular, I work frequently with Berrie Martinis - she is my business attorney and I also have used Tim Burkart, an estate planning... More

I have several relationships with various GSB attorneys. In particular, I work frequently with Berrie Martinis - she is my business attorney and I also have used Tim Burkart, an estate planning attorney. These two from the Seattle office are wonderful to work with and are very personable. I've had no problems with referring them to clients and friends in the past and I certainly plan to do so more in the future. Another great attorney from this firm is Rick Baroway from the Portland office. He's a good personal friend and he has also done some work for me as well.
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