Washington courts have confirmed time and again that the right to dispose of one’s property is a valuable right, and a right to be sustained whenever possible. Teresa is an advocate for the exercise and defense of that valuable right. Specifically, Teresa engages in proactive estate planning to help her clients create estate plans that manifest their intentions and values, including caring for family members, creating and funding trusts, advising on gifts, avoiding unnecessary taxes, and protecting family wealth. Beyond the mere transactional aspects of estate planning, Teresa is a partner throughout the aging process, assisting families in navigating transitions and implementing the estate plan by advising agents acting under powers of attorney, establishing and maintaining guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults, engaging in end of life planning, and administering probates and trusts.
Teresa recognizes that not every family engages in timely and proactive planning, and even the best laid plans occasionally fail. In that event, she handles the litigation needed to resolve trust and estate disputes and protect vulnerable adults. An experienced litigator, Teresa has represented parties through all stages of litigation, beginning with initial filings in the superior court and continuing through mediation, trial, appeal and ultimately to the Washington State Supreme Court. Teresa worked on many of the seminal published cases interpreting Washington’s Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA). She also practices in Oregon and Alaska. While admitted pro hac vice in California, Teresa was part of a team of talented attorneys and staff who made new law regarding the rights of trust beneficiaries.
Teresa is also experienced in working with nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations.
Prior to joining OMW, Teresa was a Principal at Foster Garvey PC.
Publications
- Author, “Representation and Client Communication,” Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration in Washington, 2020
Education
- LL.M., Taxation, University of Washington School of Law
- J.D., University of Washington School of Law
- B.A., Lafayette College
Speaking Engagements
- Smart Planning in Light of Recent & Potential Legislation, October 12, 2021, hosted by the Seattle Symphony
- Crucial Questions Your Estate Plan Should Answer, July 27, 2021 hosted by the Seattle Symphony
- Estate Planning with Intention, June 3, 2021 hosted by the Endowment for Equal Justice
- Estate Planning 101, October 20, 2020 hosted by the Endowment for Equal Justice
- Estate Planning with a Social and Racial Justice Lens, September 22, 2020 hosted by the Endowment for Equal Justice
- It’s the End of the World as We Know It: 2020 Charitable and Tax Planning Ideas to Consider before Year End, September 15, 2020 hosted by the Washington Planned Giving Council
- Speaker, "Mind The Gap: 7 Minutes with Teresa Byers," Bernstein, 2020
- Speaker, Washington Planned Giving Council, 2020
- Speaker, "Tax Reform," Kitsap County Estate Planning Council, 2018
- Speaker. "Practical Considerations for TEDRA Arbitrations," 14th Annual Trust & Estate Litigation Seminar, Washington State Bar Association – Seattle, 2017
- Speaker, "Wine, Women and Wills," Legal Voice, Garvey Schubert Barer – Seattle, 2016
- Speaker, "Solutions for Difficult Gifts and Post-Mortem Planning," Seattle Children's Hospital CE, Conference on Philanthropic and Legacy Planning for Advisors – Seattle, 2016
- Speaker, "Estate Planning Ethics," U.S. Judge Advocate General Corps – Bangor Naval Base, 2016
- Speaker, "Fiduciaries in the Crosshairs," Alaska Bar Association, Estate and Probate Law Section – Anchorage, 2016
- Speaker, "Estate Planning Ethics," Kitsap Estate Planning Seminar, Kitsap Community Foundation – Silverdale, 2016
Accolades
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2022 Edition
- Chambers High Net Worth, Leading Individual, Private Wealth Law, 2017-2022
- Washington Super Lawyers List, 2019-2022
- Washington Super Lawyers, Top 50 Washington Women, 2019
- Rising Star, Washington Super Lawyers, 2009-2018
- Rising Star, Washington Women's Edition, 2013-2018
Professional & Community Activities
- Estate Planning Council of Seattle – Board Member and Treasurer (current)
- Justice Society Committee of the Endowment for Equal Justice – Member (current)
- King County Library System Foundation – Board Member (2005-2018), past president
- Legal Voice – Board Member (2006-2013), past president
- Member of the King County Bar Association Real Property Probate and Trust Section
- Member of the Estate Planning Council of Seattle
- Member of the non-profit organization; Washington Women in Tax
tbyers@omwlaw.com