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Michael Howard

Estate planning Attorney at Tacoma, WA

5.0   4 reviews
Virtual consultation available
Virtual consultation available
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  • Licensed for 41 years
    State WA
    Acquired 1981
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Mike was outstanding!
Linda T
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
customer
Linda
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Read more reviews

About Michael

Learn Michael’s areas of practice.

4
Practice areas
  1. Estate planning
    40%
    Wills, Testamentary Trusts, Stand-Alone Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Directives and Probate Alternatives are mainstays of my practice.

    41 years

  2. Probate
    30%
    Experienced with all aspects of probate including serving as Personal Representative and as probate GAL for minors and incapacitated persons.

    41 years

  3. Elder law
    20%

    24 years

  4. Guardianship
    10%
    Representing primarily petitioners. Also serving as a guardian ad Litem (GAL) and attorney for alleged incapacitated persons by Court appointment.

    9 years

Contact Michael

Balsam Law
911 South I Street
Tacoma, WA, 98417
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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0
  4 customer reviews
5 Star
 
100%
4 Star
 
0%
3 Star
 
0%
2 Star
 
0%
1 Star
 
0%
Posted by Linda T | April 27, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Mike was outstanding!
Mike helped me with the probate conundrum for my mother. He was knowledgeable and gave great explanations. And you could tell that he really cared about helping me. I will actually miss not working with him since the probate is now complete.
Posted by Linda | April 5, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
customer
Michael answered all our questions and educated us on making informed choices with providing for our daughter's special needs trust. I appreciated his patience, attention to detail, and flexibility with working with our needs. I now feel secure about the future!
Posted by Lorna | September 18, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Made a confusing WILL easy to understand
We have a pretty complicated WILL. Michael helped walk us through the pro's and con's and after only a few visits we were on the right track
Posted by anonymous | September 5, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Calm and collected
Mike helped me resolve a legal issue that I had been very emotional about. He explained my options calmly and clearly, and was honest about the pros and cons of different approaches. With his help, I was able to avoid filing anything in court. He was diligent in wrapping up all the loose ends to make sure the resolution was documented properly and that the other side followed through. Most importantly, I felt supported throughout the ordeal and that he was always on my side.
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Cost

Rates
  • Hourly Rates $ 260-260 per hour
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 7.0 (Very Good)

Work Experience

  • Attorney/Of Counsel
  • Robin H. Balsam P.S.
  • 2016 - Present
  • Volunteer Legal Service Clinic
  • Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association
  • 2012 - 2013
  • Principal
  • Law Office of Michael W. Howard PLLC
  • 2009 - 2016
  • Principal
  • Law Office of Michael W. Howard, P.S.
  • 1996 - 2009
  • Pro Tem Judge
  • Shoreline District Court
  • 1990 - 1995
  • Associate
  • John A. Henry &Associates
  • 1989 - 1996
  • Principal
  • Law Office of Michael W. Howard
  • 1985 - 1989
  • Pro Tem Magistrate
  • Seattle Municipal Court
  • 1985 - 1986
  • Pro Tem Judge
  • Cascade District Court
  • 1983 - 1985
  • Pro Tem Judge
  • Seattle District Court
  • 1983 - 1985
  • Principal
  • Matson & Howard
  • 1982 - 1985
  • Research Assistant to General Counsel
  • Foss Maritime
  • 1981 - 1981
  • Associate
  • Ogden, Ogden & Murphy
  • 1981 - 1982
  • Rule 9 Intern
  • University District Defender Services
  • 1980 - 1981
  • Traffic Court Magistrate
  • University of Washington
  • 1980 - 1981
  • Legal Intern
  • Seattle Engineering Department
  • 1979 - 1981
View all work experience

Education

  • University of Washington School of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1981
  • University of Washington
  • BA
  • 1973

Associations

  • Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, Guardianship Committee
  • Member
  • 2014 - Present
  • Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2011 - Present
  • Washington State Bar Association, Elder Law Section
  • Member
  • 2011 - Present
  • Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
  • Member
  • 2011 - Present
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • Member
  • 1981 - Present
  • Federal Bar, Western District of Washington chapter)
  • Member
  • 1981 - Present
  • Federal Bar, Eastern District of Washington
  • Member
  • 1981 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Pro Bono Service Commendation
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • 2015
  • Pro Bono Service Commendation
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • 2014
  • Pro Bono Service Commendation
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • 2013
  • Pro Bono Service Commendation
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • 2012
  • Pro Bono Service Commendation
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • 2011
  • Pro Bono Service Commendation
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • 2010
  • Pro Bono Service Commendation
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • 2009
  • Pro Bono Service Commendation
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • 2008
  • Cum Laude
  • University of Washington
  • 1973
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • 1973
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Attorney endorsements

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Tacoma Estate planning Lawyer Michael Howard
Michael Howard
Estate planning Attorney
Tacoma, WA
Licensed for 41 years
Virtual consultation available
View Contact Info