Lynnwood Law Blog

Most people in Washington State are likely aware that the woman commonly referred to as "The Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin, died last month. It is likely a common thought that anyone of her status and wealth would have had a solid estate plan in place. It has, however, come to light as reported by The Washington Post that the famous singer and entertainer did not, in fact, have any will, trust or other estate planning document in place at the time of her death.

It has been reported that the woman was advised to establish a trust or a will but she actively chose against doing so. Under the laws of her state, her assets would theoretically be split in four equal shares between her surviving sons. However, what will actually happen remains unknown today. Several things could play into the ultimate direction of her estate.

Many people in Washington State often find the process of probate confusing. This is true of people who are trying to make their own estate plans as well as it is of people who may be beneficiaries of another person's estate. Probate is a legal process but it is important to know that not every assets must pass through this process. Knowing the scope of probate can help people make decisions that are right for their estates and beneficiaries.

As explained by Fidelity Investments, if you establish a trust, the assets in your trust will not need to go through probate after you die. However, that does not mean that your entire estate will bypass probate because it is very possible that not all of your assets will be included in your trust. This is why many people develop both wills and trusts.

Most Seattle residents worry little over issues such as property disputes, but to some, they are an incredible nuisance. What could result in an otherwise reasonable conversation can easily escalate into misunderstandings and, worse, arguments over boundaries. How common is it for a neighbor to cross the line, and what do most residents do to resolve the problems? 

Not only is a dispute over one's land a headache; the issue can become worse over time if unaddressed. Homeowner resource HouseLogic even goes as far as to warn readers that unresolved property disputes can present obstacles when it comes to future prospects of selling a home. It may seem apparent, but a first good rule of thumb for any neighbor involves knowledge of one's own property. As HouseLogic shares, settlement papers generally include this information. Following, communication is never a bad idea, as HouseLogic goes on to advise homeowners that writing letters and holding meetings are other ways to work out boundary-related issues.

Many people in Washington State know that a person can find their dream home in their dream neighborhood but that does not guarantee they will find their dream neighbors. To some extent, there may be no way for a homeowner to completely prevent ending up next to or near a neighbor they have challenges getting along with. That said, there are some things they can do to potentially reduce the chances of this happening.

Realtor.com suggests that while in the process of looking at a home, a person should take advantage of the opportunity to have a casual conversation with a neighbor. This may be easier in nice weather when people are more likely to be outside and they can be approached naturally. Potential buyers should ask other homeowners about their experiences living in the area and even about how neighbors get along or what type of social events they may engage in together. This gives a sense of the level of community and potentially the level of willingness to work together.