<div dir="ltr"><div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">In my opinion this is not necessarily the best approach from a tax planning and estate administration perspective, but it is one way to consider. I'd be happy to speak with you about why, as it's a bit complicated. It would need to be after traditional business hours. Generally though, one conversation you might want to have is whether it makes sense to use all or some of the WA estate tax exemption by naming a non-spouse (but child or children) as a beneficiary for a portion of retirement plans. Another discussion, depending on their age, is to have them visit with their advisor about a ROTH conversion for some of their retirement plans and then use the ROTH DOLLARS. Lastly, for now, given an estate of this size, they need to consider lifetime gifting and possibly life insurance. I am not an advisor, but I share an office with my son who is a Chartered Financial Advisor and CPA. In my 22+ years, I have worked so closely with advisors that you learn a few tricks of the trade to consider.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">Forgive me if I overanswered; perhaps you only needed the language commented on. To that end, DO NOT name a living trust. Bypass or Family trust is acceptable, but then you need to ensure you have appropriate payout language so the surviving spouse has some flexibility. Lastly, I would add a third selection of individuals so the surviving spouse could consider a double disclaimer. Disclaim as spouse and then as Trustee if it makes sense.</div><br clear="all"></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><br></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><span style="color:rgb(56,118,29);font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:large">Diane Kiepe</span></div><div><font color="#38761d" face="georgia, serif" size="4">Kiepe Estate and Probate, PLLC<br></font><div><font size="4" face="georgia, serif" color="#38761d"><a href="mailto:diane@kiepelaw.com" target="_blank">diane@kiepelaw.com</a></font></div><div><font size="4" face="georgia, serif" color="#38761d">200 N. Mullan Rd., Suite 203</font></div><div><font size="4" face="georgia, serif" color="#38761d">Spokane Valley, WA 99206</font></div></div><div><span style="color:rgb(56,118,29);font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:large">509-808-2087</span></div><div><div><span style="color:rgb(105,105,105);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:10px">Confidentiality</span><span style="color:rgb(105,105,105);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:10px"> Notice: This page and any accompanying documents contain information that is </span><span style="color:rgb(105,105,105);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:10px">confidential</span><span style="color:rgb(105,105,105);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:10px">, privileged, or exempt from disclosure under applicable law and is intended for the exclusive use of the addressee. This information is private and protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information in any manner is strictly prohibited.</span></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Jul 27, 2026 at 10:18 AM Jenna Brozik <<a href="mailto:Jenna@prinzandbrozik.com">Jenna@prinzandbrozik.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div class="msg-4334204554285893260">
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hello list mates, <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My clients have executed a joint Living Trust. They are a married couple. Most if not all of their assets are in their retirement accounts, approximately 6-7 million.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the Living Trust, there is an option to disclaim assets for the surviving spouse when the first spouse passes away. Most likely the surviving spouse will disclaim part of the estate to try to avoid estate taxes.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In this situation, is the best option that they should name each other as primary beneficiaries on their retirement account first, and then name “The Decedent’s Trust of the ______Living Trust” or “Bypass trust of the ____Living Trust”
as the contingent beneficiary? Or should it be their Living Trust as contingent beneficiary? If the surviving spouse disclaims the retirement, it will go to the contingent beneficiary.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks, <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy"">Jenna Brozik<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif">Managing Attorney<u></u><u></u></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">PRINZ & BROZIK PLLC</span></b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br>
445 S. Grand Avenue<br>
Pullman, WA 99163<br>
509-338-0908 Telephone<br>
509-338-3527 Facsimile</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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