Teresa Byers

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.