Michael D. Whipple

Providing a wide range of quality legal services with a personal commitment to each client. We specialize in: Business Law, Estate Planning, Legal Guardianship Law, and Probate. At the Whipple Law Group, PLLC in Spokane, Washington we seek to inform and educate our clients so that they, in turn, may make informed decisions with regard to their case. We reduce the mystery and assist our clients in their navigation of the legal system. Personalized attention and ‘going the extra mile’ has and will continue to remain hallmarks of the Whipple Law Group, PLLC, approach to client relationship and services.

Gonzaga University School of Law

J.D. (2010) | Law

2006 - 2010

Honors: Graduated Cum Laude University Merit Award Scholarship Recipient Negotiation Competition Finalist 3 CALI Excellence for the Future Awards

Activities: Gonzaga Journal of International Law, Associate Editor

Savannah College of Art & Design

M.A. (2006) | Historic Preservation

2004 - 2006

Concentrated on Municipal and State Government, Grants and Historic Districts

Honors: Sigma Pi Kappa, National Council for Preservation Education Combined Fellowship Award

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Masters of Urban and Regional Planning (2000) | Community Land Use and Natural Resource Planning

1997 - 2000

Honors: Planning Book Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Paper American Institute of Certified Planners Certificate for Professional Promise Virginia Citizen Planning Association Outstanding Planning Student Award

Activities: Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association, Board Member Virginia Tech University Council, Member

University of Delaware

B.A. | Geography

1984 - 1987

Emphasis in Biogeography

Robins Air Force Base, Joint Land Use Study

Smart Growth's Weak Link, Water and Sewer Planning

Certified Planner

American Institute of Certified Planners

American Planning Association

AICP

Current

Idaho State Bar Association

Current

Washington State Certified Professional Guardian

Current

Washington State Bar Association

Member

2010 - Current

Idaho

Washington

Since 2010

9th Circuit

Since 2011

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted

Q. Is there any reason to "leave probate open as long as possible" ? Does it benefit the heirs or the attorney?

January 2, 2018

A: Generally, no. Washington law requires personal representative to act in an effective manner in the best interests of everyone with a stake in the estate (creditors and heirs, alike).

RCW 11.48.010

General powers and duties.

It shall be the duty of every personal representative to settle the estate, including the administration of any nonprobate assets within control of the personal representative under RCW 11.18.200, in his or her hands as rapidly and as quickly as possible, without sacrifice to the probate or nonprobate estate.

That being said, an estate may stay open longer with good reason. For example, may a real property might sell for significantly more money if it is listed in the spring rather than mid-winter. There would be a good argument for doing so, in that case.

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Q. Hi my father died and my brother is the admin. He gave me some money but won't show me any of the bank stuff or insurane

January 2, 2018

A: You can file a 'request for special notice' with him and the court where probate is opened. Request an estate inventory, at the same time. He is required to provide this to you within 10 days of request (if the probate has been opened 90 days). This will at least provide you a list of all assets he has identified.

Consult an attorney if you 'do not trust' the appointed personal representative. A PR can be removed with cause.

Michael Whipple

Q. My grandmother passed & willed everything to my aunt is it OK for her to go down & get the money out of My grandma bank

January 2, 2018

A: Washington law allows people to sign a "small estate affidavit" to settle estates that the value of the assets are below $100,000.00 AND there are no creditors (this is important), and, as you indicated, there are no additional heirs to be consulted. However, since there was a will, in this case, state probate law requires the will to be filed within 30 days and she can open probate, at the same time.