Over 20 years of helping families thrive in unique ways

Protecting Growing And Adoptive Washington Families Through Estate Planning

Last updated on August 11, 2026

Estate planning is an important task that too many people put off. Studies over the years have shown that fewer than 50% of people have an estate plan. There’s never been a better time to create one than right now.

At Christina T. Sherman, PLLC, our firm’s founder has been helping families in Fircrest and the surrounding communities for more than 20 years. Attorney Christina T. Sherman helps families grow through surrogacy and adoption, which also means she is keenly in tune with how a growing family can affect your estate planning needs.

When you work hard to grow your family, it is important to review your existing estate plan or create a new one to make sure that your growing family is taken care of and you have designated guardians for your minor children.

The Importance Of Estate Planning

Estate planning ensures you maintain control over your assets and healthcare decisions when it matters most. For growing and adoptive families in Washington, a comprehensive plan may include:

Wills and living trusts: Help ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes and let you designate legal guardians for your minor children.
Community property agreements: A Washington-specific planning tool that can help spouses avoid probate altogether.
Powers of attorney (financial and healthcare): Depending on the type of POA you create, you can appoint someone you trust to handle your finances or medical decisions if you become unable to do so.
Living wills: Specifies your preferences for end-of-life medical care, including whether you want breathing machines, feeding tubes, dialysis or other interventions if you cannot communicate your wishes.
Life insurance planning: Provides your loved ones with immediate financial resources when they may need them most.

Attorney Christina T. Sherman has extensive experience creating and revising estate plans for adoptive parents. This is a deliberative process that requires considering all your goals. She works closely with clients to ensure their plans reflect their family’s unique needs and long-term intentions.

Washington Estate Planning Mistakes To Avoid

Rushing your estate plan or using generic online forms may lead to unintended consequences. Collaborating with Christina T. Sherman, PLLC, helps you prevent these common pitfalls:

Invalid documents: Even minor execution mistakes can cause a Washington probate judge to reject your will, allowing state intestacy laws to determine your estate’s distribution process.
Omitted children: Failing to revise your estate plan as your family grows through birth or adoption can leave a child unintentionally excluded or inadequately provided for.
Unnecessary tax burdens: Poor planning can create significant and avoidable tax liabilities for your heirs, who may not have the liquidity to pay them.
Family conflict: Vague or outdated language can trigger serious disputes among surviving relatives and lead to costly litigation.
Jeopardizing benefits for a disabled child: Leaving your assets directly to your child with special needs can unintentionally disqualify them from government benefits.

Attorney Sherman will help you evaluate your estate planning needs with care and attention. This step ensures that your estate planning documents align with your unique goals and your growing family’s needs.

Should An Adoption Impact Your Estate Plan?

An adoption is a significant life-altering event. Even if you already have children, you should take a fresh look at your estate plan to see if it still meets your needs. It makes sense to revise the plan even before the adoption goes through. If you don’t have an estate plan, now is the time to create one.

Our firm has helped many families with adoption, although we can also create an estate plan even if you are not currently planning to add to your family.

Estate Plan Considerations Before Adoption

Many clients want to make provisions in their will for the adoptee. Once a child is adopted, they are on equal footing with your biological children. But you might fear dying before the adoption goes through, in which case you will want to ensure they can inherit from you. We can revise your will or trust to name the child as a beneficiary.

Estate Plan Considerations After Adoption

Once the adoption is finalized, other considerations come into play. For example, adoptive parents will need to decide who will serve as their child’s guardian in the event of their death. Our office can talk about different options, including other family members. You should also have contingencies in place in case your first choice declines to serve as guardian after you have passed.

As the years roll by, you might also need to revise an estate plan to reflect changed circumstances. One issue is whether your child has special needs and requires government services or assistance. Leaving assets to your child could make them ineligible for means-tested government programs. We can discuss different estate planning vehicles, such as a trust, which can help preserve eligibility while providing assets.

Another consideration with a disabled child is guardianship. You might need to appoint a legal guardian to serve in this capacity.

Attorney Sherman is a fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys. If you are planning to adopt and want an estate plan created at the same time, she can help. Our premier adoption organization is committed to upholding the highest ethical values in the legal profession.

Secure The Future Of The Family You Fought To Build

Attorney Sherman has helped countless individuals expand their families, and she understands how a solid estate plan can increase the confidence new parents feel. To find out more about how our firm can help, please call us today at 253-254-7454 to schedule a consultation. You can also reach us by sending us an email.