Hi and thank you for your interest! We are working and available to help during the Covid-19 stay at home order. We can meet, prepare, and sign estate planning and probate documents all remotely. Call today.Trusts allow you to avoid the time and expense of probate, which in Washington generally takes more than five months to complete and routinely costs more than $4000. Trusts, unlike Wills, also allow Trustors to keep their assets private. Call for a free consultation on the benefits of a trust.Wills are a great way to distribute your assets to your loved ones, name guardians for minor children, create education trusts for (grand)children, and name you executor. Call for a free consultation.Probate is a court process that, approves the Will (if there is one), appoints a personal representative, and provides for the transfer of probate assets to those named in the Will. Call today for consultation on the probate process.Forming a business is an important undertaking. There is much more to forming a business than simply registering with the Secretary of State. In fact, only registering your business name with the Secretary of State will not provide liability protection. Call for a free consultation today.The document used to prepare for unforeseen disability or incapacity during lifetime is a power of attorney. There are powers of attorney for financial and healthcare decision-making. Powers of attorney are great to avoid guardianships. Call for a free consultation today.
My practice areas are estate planning (including wills, trusts, powers of attorney and healthcare directives), probate and business law (including formation and entity selection and corporate maintenance). My law firm, Salmon Creek Law Offices, is a full service law firm located in north Vancouver, Washington in the Salmon Creek area. Call me fer a free initial consultation.
www.salmoncreeklawoffices.com
Practice areas
Trusts, specifically revocable living trusts are used primarily to avoid probate. Similar to a will, a trust allows you to designate where your assets go when you die and to appoint someone known as a successor trustee to administer your estate when you die.
20 years
Wills allow you, the testator, to name an executor, nominate guardians for minor children, direct to whom your assets will be distributed and set up various trusts for education, special needs etc.
20 years
Probate is a court supervised process that is used to transfer titled assets of a decedent to her heirs, validate a will, empower an executor or administer an estate without a will.
20 years
20 years
A Power of Attorney allows you to nominate an attorney in fact or someone that would be able to handle your affairs if you ever became unable to do so. Without a power of attorney, it would be necessary to put a guardianship in place--a costly and administratively burdenesome process.
20 years
Languages spoken
German
Salmon Creek Law Offices
1412 NE 134TH Street
Suite 130
Vancouver, WA, 98685
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
WA | Active | 2002 | 05/07/2022 |
OR | Active | 2001 | 05/15/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Best of CLE Presenter | Washington State Bar Association | 2008 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Shareholder/Vice-President | Salmon Creek Law Offices | 2005 - Present |
Associate | Blair Schafer Hutchison and Wolfe | 2004 - 2004 |
Owner | Law Offices of Trent Kunz | 2002 - 2004 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Boy Scouts of America | Merit Badge Counselor | 2007 - Present |
Washington State Bar Association | Member | 2002 - Present |
Oregon State Bar Association | Member | 2000 - Present |
Clark College Paralegal Advisory Committee | President | 2011 - 2015 |
Clark County Youth Football | Head Coach | 2010 - 2013 |
Disability Resources of Southwest Washington | Past President | 2007 - 2010 |
Clark College Paralegal Advisory Committee | Member | 2005 - 2015 |
Clark College | Adjunct Professor | 2003 - 2015 |
DisabilityResources of Soutwest Washington | Board of Directors | 2001 - 2009 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
HEARSAY | Lawyers as Coaches (article contributor) | 2010 |
JD Supra | Cost as a decision-making factor in deciding between a will or a trust. | 2009 |
WASHINGTON BAR ASSOCIATION CLE | Probate Sample Forms and Correspondence from Start to Finish | 2008 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Washington School of Law | LL.M - Master of Laws | 2001 |
University of California at Los Angeles School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2000 |
Brigham Young University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1995 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Clark County Bar Association: Guardianship Section | GPE: What Elder Law Lawyers Need to Know About Business Formation | 2019 |
Nuts & Bolts: What Every Practitioner Needs to Know | WILLS & ESTATES | 2011 |
BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES | HOT TOPICS IN PROBATE | 2009 |
PROBATE BOOTCAMP | Probate Forms From Start to Finish | 2008 |
DISABILITY AWARENESS | Disability Awareness in Education | 2008 |
BEST OF CLE: Encore of Excellence | Probate Forms and Correspondence From Start to Finish | 2008 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
In re the Estate of Don Lelooska Smith | Successful Mediation |
Posted by anonymous
April 7, 2008
Posted by Anne
August 23, 2021
Posted by Osama
July 20, 2021
Heather Norton, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 17, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have regularly referred clients to Trent, have worked with him on an associated matter, and have often turned to him with estate planning related questions I have encountered in my own law practice. Trent is extremely knowledgeable, thorough in his work, generous in what he gives to clients and colleagues-- but beyond that, he is simply a wonderful human being! I highly endorse this attorney.
Michelle Nisle, Probate Attorney on Apr 19, 2019
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have worked with Mr. Kunz as opposing counsel as well as alongside him on a very complicated matter that involved significant obstacles to reaching a satisfactory conclusion. Mr. Kunz's high level understanding of trusts and estates as well as the related property rights of the parties allowed us to resolve the matter in a way that satisfied all parties, which seemed impossible at the outset. Mr. Kunz is diligent and compassionate and has excellent relationships with his clients. I refer work to him and have complete confidence he will provide excellent legal service to all people that I refer to him.
Marissa Bartolucci, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 1, 2020
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Trent is an exceptionally talented lawyer who cares a great deal about his clients. He truly enjoys helping people, and conducts his work with a high level of integrity. Clients appreciate Trent's cheerful personality and kind demeanor; he is a pleasure to work with!
Alexa Ritchie, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 26, 2019
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have known and worked with Trent for over 6 years, both as a colleague and a paralegal. He has a wide breadth of experience and considers all facets of a client’s situation. He genuinely cares about both the individual and the outcome of the matter. Trent takes time to listen to clients, and explains and discusses solutions or plans in a way each client can understand. He is honest and always has his clients’ best interest at heart. On top of that, he is a fantastic person who clients and staff enjoy working with. I highly recommend him.
Mila Boyd, Unknown Attorney on Apr 19, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Not only is Trent great to work with, Trent is knowledgeable, thorough, and a great communicator. I absolutely endorse this lawyer.
Michelle Nisle, Probate Attorney on Apr 19, 2019
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have worked with Mr. Kunz as opposing counsel as well as alongside him on a very complicated matter that involved significant obstacles to reaching a satisfactory conclusion. Mr. Kunz's high level understanding of trusts and estates as well as the related property rights of the parties allowed us to resolve the matter in a way that satisfied all parties, which seemed impossible at the outset. Mr. Kunz is diligent and compassionate and has excellent relationships with his clients. I refer work to him and have complete confidence he will provide excellent legal service to all people that I refer to him.
Jennifer Nugent, Unknown Attorney on Apr 18, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Trent is an outstanding attorney. I have referred numerous estate, business and tax matters to him and have always been impressed with his work. His depth of knowledge makes him a leading attorney in his area of law and I recommend him wholeheartedly.
Meredith Graff, Trusts Attorney on Apr 18, 2019
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer! Trent is extremely capable and knowledgeable. I needed his help in a case where he had represented my client and her deceased spouse for estate planning, and he was able to provide the missing key that solved a huge problem in the case. I have since referred cases to him and it is a pleasure for me to now endorse him on Avvo.com!
Kathleen McCann, Probate Attorney on Apr 18, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Joshua Pops, Wills and living wills Attorney on Apr 18, 2019
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Trent knows his stuff and whenever we are talking shop has an interesting point of view I respect and appreciate.
Aaron Wakamatsu, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 18, 2019
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Trent is an amazing, knowledgeable attorney. An expert in his field. Highly recommended.
Jesse Conway, Probate Attorney on Apr 17, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Heather Norton, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 17, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have regularly referred clients to Trent, have worked with him on an associated matter, and have often turned to him with estate planning related questions I have encountered in my own law practice. Trent is extremely knowledgeable, thorough in his work, generous in what he gives to clients and colleagues-- but beyond that, he is simply a wonderful human being! I highly endorse this attorney.
Carol Mccaulley, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 13, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work. Trent and I worked together at a former firm, and I was always impressed with both his knowledge and the respect he showed to his clients. Trent really does care about his clients and it shows in the way he interacts with them and in his work product. I have consulted with Trent on several complex estate issues and always found his advice to be solid. I would recommend him highly to anyone in need of estate or corporate planning.
Cash, Check, Credit Card