Trust & Estate Services - Serving Seattle, WA and Beyond
Trusted Fiduciary Services for Individuals, Families and Businesses Since 1992
At Pacific Portfolio Trust Company, we provide professional trust and estate services designed to protect your legacy and give you the freedom to focus on what matters most: spending time with those you care about and pursuing what brings you purpose. As a dedicated fiduciary based in Seattle serving clients nationwide, we manage the complex details of trusts and estates with clarity and care.
Our team combines deep local knowledge with national expertise to deliver personalized trust solutions for individuals, families, and businesses across the country.
Why Partner with Pacific Portfolio Trust Company
•Specialized Expertise
With over 30 years of experience, our team brings deep knowledge of legal and tax landscapes to every client relationship.
Our trust professionals understand the unique considerations of trust laws and regulations, providing guidance that's both locally relevant and nationally respected
•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)
Our Agent for Trustee services allow individual trustees to delegate specific administrative duties while maintaining their trustee role. We handle the complex operational aspects of trust administration, providing support to trustees who wish to maintain oversight without managing day-to-day details.
Trust Administration
Our comprehensive trust administration services include asset management, income distribution, tax compliance, record-keeping, and regular reporting to beneficiaries. We handle the day-to-day responsibilities of trust management with meticulous attention to detail.
Special Needs Trust
Our specialized services for special needs trusts focus on enhancing the quality of life for beneficiaries with disabilities while preserving their eligibility for essential government benefits. We navigate complex regulations to ensure the trust serves its intended purpose effectively.
Estate Settlement
Our estate settlement services provide comprehensive administration from probate filing through final distribution. We handle asset inventory, valuation, debt settlement, tax filings, and distributions to beneficiaries, all while maintaining clear communication throughout the process.
Charitable Giving
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.
Strategic Tax Planning
Our strategic tax planning services help clients minimize tax liabilities while maximizing wealth preservation and transfer. We develop customized strategies that align with your financial goals, incorporating sophisticated techniques to optimize your tax position across income, estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes.
Note: While we coordinate with your tax professionals, Pacific Portfolio Trust Company does not provide tax or legal advice. We recommend working with qualified tax and legal advisors in conjunction with our trust and estate services.
Click here for The Essential Guide to Trust Planning: Navigating Your Estate at Every Stage of Life-June 2025
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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 makes Pacific Portfolio different from bank trust departments?
Unlike large bank trust departments, Pacific Portfolio offers a boutique approach with dedicated professionals who provide personalized attention and customized solutions. We're independent, allowing us to avoid conflicts of interest and product sales pressure that can exist at larger institutions. Our clients benefit from direct access to decision-makers and a relationship-focused approach.
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.
Why choose a professional trustee instead of a family member?
Professional trustees offer expertise in trust administration, investment management, and tax planning that family members may lack. They provide objectivity, continuity, and can help prevent family conflicts. Professional trustees also have systems in place to ensure proper record-keeping and regulatory compliance, reducing the risk of errors or oversights.
What is the Washington State Estate Tax exclusion amount?
For deaths occurring in 2025, the exclusion amount is $3 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.
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 are your trustee fees structured?
Our trustee fees are typically based on a percentage of the assets under management, with the percentage decreasing as the asset value increases. We provide a clear fee schedule during our initial consultation and ensure all fees are transparent. For complex trusts requiring additional services, we may charge additional fees based on the specific requirements.
How do you serve clients outside of Washington State?
We serve clients nationwide through a combination of secure virtual meetings, digital document management, occasional travel when necessary, and partnerships with local professionals in your area when specific in-person services are required. Our team is experienced in multi-state trust and estate laws, ensuring your planning works seamlessly regardless of where you live.
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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.
