Estate planning in Lewiston means understanding Idaho law—and often Washington law too.
Lewiston is the largest city in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, sitting across the Snake River from Clarkston, Washington.
Many Lewiston residents work in Washington, own property in both states, or have family across the border.
Idaho has no estate tax, but Washington does—which creates planning opportunities and traps.
Why Estate Planning in Lewiston Is Different
Lewiston sits at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, right on the Washington-Idaho border. The Lewiston-Clarkston Valley is one community that happens to be split by a state line.
This creates unique estate planning challenges:
Many Lewiston residents work in Washington. Some own property in both states. Some have businesses that operate across the border. And some are Washington residents who moved to Lewiston but still own property in Washington.
All of this matters for estate planning.
Idaho has no estate tax or inheritance tax. But Washington does. If you’re a Washington resident—even if you live in Lewiston now—you might still be subject to Washington estate tax. If you own property in both states, you need to structure your estate carefully.
At McKarcher Law, we’re licensed in both Idaho and Washington. We’re located just across the river in Clarkston at 537 6th Street. And we’re the only law firm in this region that specializes exclusively in estate planning.
Estate Planning Services for Lewiston Families
We provide comprehensive estate planning for Lewiston residents and families throughout Nez Perce County:
- Revocable living trusts to avoid probate
- Wills and estate planning documents
- Powers of attorney for financial and healthcare decisions
- Special needs trusts
- Business succession planning
- Cross-state estate planning (Idaho and Washington)
- Estate tax planning for former Washington residents
- Probate administration in Idaho and Washington
Whether you’re a long-time Lewiston resident, a retiree who moved here for the outdoor recreation, or a business owner, we can help you protect your family and your assets.
Why Cross-State Planning Matters for Lewiston Residents
Here’s a scenario we see all the time:
Someone lives in Lewiston but owns a rental property in Clarkston. They think they’re covered because they have a will. But when they die, their family discovers they need to open probate in Idaho for the Lewiston assets—and ancillary probate in Washington for the Clarkston property.
That means two separate court proceedings, two sets of legal fees, and months of delays.
A trust avoids all of this. If your assets are in a trust, your trustee can distribute them immediately after you die—no probate in Idaho, no probate in Washington.
At McKarcher Law, we structure trusts that work across state lines. We make sure your assets are properly titled. And we help you avoid the nightmare of probate in two states.
Are You Still a Washington Resident?
This is a critical question for estate planning—and many people get it wrong.
If you moved to Lewiston from Washington, you might think you’re an Idaho resident now. But Washington might still consider you a Washington resident for estate tax purposes.
Here’s what Washington looks at:
- Where do you spend most of your time?
- Where is your driver’s license?
- Where do you vote?
- Where is your primary residence?
- Where are your business interests?
- Where do your children live?
If Washington still considers you a resident, you’re subject to Washington estate tax on everything you own—including property in Idaho. That means your family could owe the state 10% to 20% of your estate’s value.
The good news: if you’ve truly changed your residency to Idaho, you’re no longer subject to Washington estate tax. But you need to document the change correctly. At McKarcher Law, we help people navigate residency issues and structure their estates accordingly.
What Makes McKarcher Law Different
We’re the only law firm in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley that specializes exclusively in estate planning. We serve clients on both sides of the Snake River, in both Idaho and Washington.
We’re licensed in both states. We understand the cross-border issues that affect this community. And we’re local—our office is right across the river in Clarkston.
If you’re a Lewiston resident and you’re ready to protect your family, we’re here to help.
Helpful Local Resources for Lewiston Residents
We believe in supporting our community. Here are some helpful local resources:
Lewiston-Clarkston Valley Chamber of Commerce – Supporting local businesses throughout the valley
https://www.lewclarkvalley.org/
City of Lewiston – City services and information
https://www.cityoflewiston.org/
Nez Perce County Courthouse – County government and court services
https://www.nezpercecountyid.gov/
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center – Healthcare services for the valley
Idaho State Bar – Idaho legal resources and attorney information
These organizations serve the Lewiston community. While McKarcher Law specializes exclusively in estate planning, we recognize that families often need connections to other local services and resources.
Contact McKarcher Law Today
If you live in Lewiston and you’re ready to protect your family and your assets, contact McKarcher Law today.
McKarcher Law is located at 537 6th Street, Clarkston, WA 99403.
Call to schedule your consultation.
We serve families throughout Nez Perce County and the entire Lewiston-Clarkston Valley region, in both Washington and Idaho.
537 6th Street, Clarkston,
WA 99403
