Jensen Estate Law
July 2025 Newsletter
Hi clients and friends,
As July comes to a close and we look ahead to the second half of the year, it’s a great time to check in on your estate planning goals. Whether you’re thinking about taxes, trusts, or how to make sure your plan is fully funded, small steps now can lead to big peace of mind later.
In this issue, we’re kicking off our new Tax Update webinar series with a timely session on capital gains tax. We also take a closer look at how disclaimer trusts can help Washington couples reduce estate taxes while keeping their options open, and we share practical guidance on funding your plan, so it works the way you intend when it matters most.
Ready to take the next step? Join our upcoming webinar, explore the articles below, and reach out if you’d like help reviewing or updating your plan.
Washington State Capital Gains Tax
Get up to speed on Washington’s evolving tax landscape with the first webinar in our series about the WA state capital gains tax in this webinar. Derek W. Jensen, JD, LLM, breaks down the new 2.9% surtax on gains over $1 million and shares key planning strategies to help you navigate the changes with confidence.
What you’ll learn:
- Overview of Washington’s Capital Gains Excise Tax
- Details on the new 2.9% surtax and who it affects
- Planning strategies for high-net-worth individuals
- How these changes may impact estate and investment planning
Ready to join us? We’d love to have you there! Just take a moment to register and secure your spot
Date: August 20, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
Want a preview? Watch this video on an Introduction to Tax Issues for Washington Estate and check out our YouTube Channel!
Disclaimer Trusts in Washington State
Reducing estate taxes is one of the most impactful ways to protect what you leave behind. A disclaimer trust gives your spouse the option to redirect part of their inheritance into a trust—helping preserve your estate and avoid unnecessary taxes.
In our latest article, we explain how disclaimer trusts work in Washington State, why flexibility matters when planning for the future, and how this tool can help your family keep more of what you’ve built.
Funding Your Estate Plan: Learn the Basics
Real Estate and Your Living Trust: Washington Property Owners’ Guide
Transferring real estate into your revocable living trust is one of the most important steps in fully funding your estate plan. In Washington the process is relatively straightforward but very detail sensitive. In this article learn how a properly recorded deed ensures smooth future management and avoids probate. For primary residences, this transfer doesn’t impact your mortgage, insurance, or property tax exemptions. Rental and out-of-state properties also benefit from transferring into a trust, particularly for incapacity planning and avoiding costly probate. While the paperwork requires care, the long-term payoff in flexibility and protection is significant.
Personal Property and Your Living Trust: From Coffee Mugs to Classic Cars
When it comes to estate planning, many people think about funding their trust with real estate and bank accounts but overlook personal property like jewelry, art collections, and cars. With an estate plan, funding your revocable living trust with these items is easier than it seems. High-value or sentimental items should be formally assigned to the trust using a Personal Property Assignment, while lower-value household items can be covered by a pour-over will and, if needed, a small estate affidavit. For vehicles, title transfers may be necessary depending on their value. Personal property memorandums offer a flexible way to designate who gets specific heirlooms without amending your trust. In this article, learn the ease of funding your trust with your important personal property.
News & Updates You Should Know
Washington State Estate Tax: What’s Changed and What It Means for You!
As of July 1, 2025, Washington’s estate tax laws have officially changed:
- The estate tax exemption increased from $2.193 million to $3 million.
- The tax rates now range from 10% to 35%, up from a prior max of 20%.
- The exemption will be adjusted for inflation each year starting in 2026.
These updates offer some relief for smaller estates but increase the burden on larger ones. Washington still doesn’t allow “portability” between spouses, so planning is key to using both exemptions effectively.
From Derek W. Jensen, JD, LLM: WA State Estate Tax Calculator
Derek W. Jensen, JD, LLM, created the Washington Estate Tax Calculator at WashingtonEstateTax.com to help his clients, and all Washington residents, better understand how the state estate tax could impact their planning. The site features an easy-to-use calculator that estimates potential estate tax liability based on Washington’s current exemption and rate structure, including recent updates effective July 1, 2025. It also provides practical insight into how proactive planning can help reduce or avoid unnecessary taxes.
Visit the calculator today!
New Scheduling Options Available: Get Ahead Before the Year-End Rush
As summer winds down, it’s a great time to pause, reflect, and make sure your estate plan still aligns with your goals. Whether you need to review existing documents and explore how Washington’s updated estate tax laws might impact you or someone you know does, explore our form linked below.
We’ve opened up additional availability for initial meetings. If you have interest revisiting your estate plan before 2026, we recommend booking now before our calendars fill up heading into Q4.