Corporate Trustee & Estate Settlement Services-Serving Seattle, WA and Beyond
Why Partner with Pacific Portfolio Trust Company
At Pacific Portfolio Trust Company, we serve as your dedicated fiduciary, managing the details so you can reclaim what matters most: your time, your family, and your goals. Here’s how we deliver on that promise:
•Specialized Expertise
With over 30 years rooted in Seattle, our team combines deep knowledge of Washington’s legal and tax landscape with the governance, security, and compliance standards of a leading national institution.
•Comprehensive Services
From corporate trustee duties to full estate settlement, our fully integrated suite of services covers every phase of the trust lifecycle. We work seamlessly alongside your attorneys, accountants, and other advisors, and bring in specialists when you need them.
•Personalized Attention
Whether you’re setting up a new trust or settling an estate, we tailor our approach to your priorities and values. We partner with clients across Washington and nationwide.
•Relief from Complexity
Managing a trust or estate involves countless deadlines, documentation requirements, and evolving regulations. Our disciplined, end-to-end process keeps everything running smoothly, so you can focus on your next chapter, philanthropic passions, or simply enjoying peace of mind.
Solutions
Agent for Trustee (Nationwide Service)
Simplify Trust Investment Management with Our Experienced Fiduciary Team
Delegate the complexities of investment management to our experienced professionals. This approach frees up your time and gives you confidence that your trust assets are being expertly managed in accordance with sound investment principles.
Corporate Trustee
Gain Peace of Mind with Expert Trust Administration
Discover how our professional corporate trustee services provide stability, impartiality, and expertise — relieving you and your family of administrative burdens and potential conflicts.
Special Needs Trust
Gain Peace of Mind Knowing Your Loved One with Special Needs Has Long-Term Financial Security
Create a lasting safety net for your beneficiary's future with a Special Needs Trust, professionally managed to provide consistent support and care throughout their lifetime.
Estate Administration
Ensure Smooth and Accurate Estate Settlement with Our Professional Administration Services
Rely on our expertise to navigate the complexities of probate and estate settlement, ensuring all legal requirements are met accurately and efficiently, minimizing delays and potential complications.
Estate Planning
Craft Your Enduring Wealth Strategy with Expert Trust Solutions
Develop a comprehensive plan for preserving, growing, and transferring your wealth through our strategic trust services, tailored to your unique financial goals and family needs.
Charitable Giving
Maximize Your Charitable Impact and Tax Benefits with Strategic Trust Planning
Discover how our expert trust services can help you structure your charitable giving to support the causes you care about most, while potentially offering significant income, estate, and gift tax advantages.
Click here for The Essential Guide to Trust Planning: Navigating Your Estate at Every Stage of Life
Insights & Case Studies
Get Started Today
Our professionals welcome the opportunity to develop a customized wealth management solution. Meet the team
Corporate Trustee & Estate Settlement Services FAQ
Navigating estate planning and settlement in Washington requires specialized expertise. Our Corporate Trustee and Estate Settlement Services are designed to provide professional guidance and efficient administration. Find answers to frequently asked questions about how these services can benefit you and your family in Washington.
What is a Corporate Trustee in Washington?
A Corporate Trustee in Washington is a professional entity, often a trust company or bank trust department, appointed to manage and administer a trust. Unlike an individual trustee, a corporate trustee provides perpetual existence, professional investment management, impartial administration, and expertise in complex Washington trust law and tax regulations.
How does a Corporate Trustee assist with Washington Estate Planning?
A Corporate Trustee works with your estate planning attorney to structure trusts that meet your specific goals, such as minimizing Washington estate tax, protecting assets, or providing for beneficiaries.
What is Estate Settlement in Washington, and why is professional help needed?
Estate Settlement in Washington is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate. Professional services help navigate the complex legal, tax, and procedural requirements, minimizing risks and disputes.
How does a Corporate Trustee handle the Washington Probate process?
They manage filing the will, notifying heirs, inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets, ensuring compliance with Washington law throughout the probate process.
What is the Washington State Estate Tax exclusion amount?
For deaths occurring in 2025, the exclusion amount is $2.193 million. Estates exceeding this are subject to Washington's estate tax rates.
How can trusts help minimize the Washington Estate Tax?
Trusts like bypass trusts can help shelter assets from taxation, reducing or eliminating Washington Estate Tax when used strategically in estate planning.
Do you handle Special Needs Trusts in Washington?
Yes. We manage Special Needs Trusts to ensure they supplement, rather than replace, important benefits like Medicaid and SSI for beneficiaries with disabilities.
How does Washington's Community Property law affect estate settlement?
Washington's Community Property law dictates that only the deceased's share of community property and separate property are included in their estate.
Why choose a Seattle-based Corporate Trustee and Estate Settlement Service?
Local trustees have familiarity with Washington laws, courts, and processes, ensuring smoother, compliant administration of estates and trusts.
How can I learn more or get started with your services in Washington?
Contact us to discuss your specific needs. We can provide personalized information and help you navigate estate planning and administration in Washington State.
Top Trust Companies in Washington State
List of Trust Companies and Departments Regulated by DFI
Trust companies and departments provide fiduciary and wealth management services. CEOs and Presidents receive legal service on behalf of Washington state trust companies and departments.
