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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