Michael Longyear has over 30 years of experience helping clients make important decisions regarding their personal and estate planning, guardianship proceedings, probate and trust administration, as well as elder law issues. He also devotes part of his legal practice to related real estate and business organization management matters.
Michael Longyear values the opportunity to educate his clients about proactive planning and personal decision making. He enjoys helping clients to solve complex problems and to meet the goals of individuals, couples and families. Taking a big picture approach with his clients for their planning needs, he works with clients about their best options and opportunities in order to select a tailored course of action.
Michael Longyear has been recognized as a 2023 Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics Magazine, as well as a Super Lawyer in 2001-2010 and 2014-2022. He was also named Seattle Best Lawyer in 2001 and 2003 by Seattle magazine. Michael received the Highest Possible Peer Review Rating in Trusts & Estates from Martindale-Hubbell for being rated AV Preeminent by his peers. He is a Children’s Legacy Advisor at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Research Foundation, a member of the Estate Planning Council of Seattle, as well as a member of the Washington Planned Giving Council, and Northwest Family Business Advisors.
Michael Longyear is a past chair and served on the Executive Committee for the Real Property, Probate & Trust section of the King County Bar Association (KCBA). He is also currently a member of the Executive Committee for the Washington State Bar Association’s (WSBA) Elder Law section. He is Past-Chair of the Elder Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association and served on the Executive Committee in various capacities from 1999 to 2008 and from 2015-Present. He previously served on the executive committee of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Section of the Washington State Bar Association.
Michael Longyear has been recognized for his experience in the area of guardianship and served on the Washington Supreme Court Certified Professional Guardian Board from 2001 to 2008. He is a Certified Professional Guardian and serves as guardian of the estate, trustee, and estate administrator in routine and contested matters. He is currently serving as a member of the board of directors for the Washington Association of Professional Guardians.
He is a Past-Chair of the King County Bar Association Guardianship and Elder Law Section, and is a Past Co-Chair of the Title 11.88 Mandatory Guardian ad Litem Training Program. He is a past Co-Chair of the King County Settlement Guardian ad Litem (SPR 98.16W) Training Program.
As part of Michael’s commitment to racial equity and justice, he is lending his expertise and advice as a member of the Justice Society Committee of the Endowment for Equal Justice. The Endowment exists to provide unrestricted, long-term funding to help people experiencing poverty secure the legal help they need to solve problems. Michael’s work on the Justice Society Committee is focused on helping the Endowment create and implement a planned giving strategy to encourage lawyers and others to leave a legacy of justice to the Endowment in their estate plan.
Published Works
- Washington State Guardian Manual, Editor, 2004
- King County Probate Policy Manual, Contributing Author, 2003
- Washington State Guardianship Manual, Contributing Author, 2003
- Capacity and Undue Influence – Guardianship and Durable Power of Attorney, Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Seminar, 2001
- Capacity – A Transactional Issue, King County Bar Association, Advanced Guardianship Issues, 2001
Speaking Engagements
- “Community and Separate Property Issues in Washington Conservatorships “, Co-Presenter, WSBA Real Property Probate and Trust Midyear, June 2024.
- “Mental Health: De-Escalation Techniques & Compassion Fatigue by Paul Getzel of NAMI”, Moderator, WAPG, May 2024.
- “Community and Separate Property Issues in Washington Conservatorships “, Co-Presenter, WSBA Elder Law Section Spring CLE, April 2024.
- “Estate Planning for the 99%”, Program Chair, King County Bar Association, March 2024.
- “Business Succession Planning”, Panel Member, Northwest Family Business Advisors, March 2024.
- “Adventures in the Legal Department: Two In-House Counsel Discuss Life Behind the Corporate Veil”, Moderator, King County Bar Association, January 2024.
- “Probate Administration”, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association, October 2023.
- “How and Why to Encourage Philanthropy”, Co-Presenter, Washington State Bar Association. June 2023.
- “Equity & Inclusion Issues in Guardianship and Conservatorship”, Moderator, Little Light Consulting. May 2023.
- “Community Property and Conservatorships”, Co-Presenter, Washington Association of Professional Guardians. May 2023.
- “Estate Planning for the 99%”, Program Chair, King County Bar Association. April 2023.
- “Probate Administration”, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association. November 2022.
- “Access to Justice in Guardianship and Elder Law and Pro Bono Opportunities”, Panel Moderator, Legal Foundation of Washington, September 2022.
- “Uniform Guardianship Act”, Co-Presenter, WSBA Real Property Probate and Trust Midyear, June 2022.
- “Uniform Guardianship Act”, Co-Presenter, WAPG Spring Conference, May 2022.
- “Estate Planning for the 99%”, Program Chair, King County Bar Association. April 2022.
- “Access to Justice in Guardianship and Elder Law and Pro Bono Opportunities”, Panel Moderator, KCBA Guardianship and Elder Law Section, March 2022.
- “Presentation for Legal Foundation of Washington Programs and Justice Society”, Moderator, King County Bar Association presentation by Melinda Mann. March 2022.
- “Key Governance and Giving Changes in 2022: the New Nonprofit Corporation Act and Planning Giving Considerations”, Moderator, King County Bar Association. March 2022.
- “Probate Administration”, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association. November 2021.
- “Estate Planning with Intention”, Program Moderator, Legal Foundation of Washington. June 2021.
- “Estate Planning for the 99%”, Program Chair, King County Bar Association. May 2021.
- “Representing Clients with Diminished Capacity”, Panel Member Presenter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. April 2021.
- “Transitioning Family Members: Health Assistance and Fiduciary Management”, Panel Member Presenter, Northwest Family Business Advisors. January 2021.
- “Probate Administration”, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association. October 2020.
- “Estate Planning 101”, Panel Moderator, Campaign for Equal Justice and Endowment for Equal Justice, Legal Foundation of Washington. October 2020.
- “Probate Administration”, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association. October 2019.
- “Estate Planning for the 99%”, Program Chair, King County Bar Association. April 2019.
- “Probate Administration”, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association. October 2018.
- “Estate Planning for the 99%”, Program Chair, King County Bar Association. April 2018.
- “13th Annual Probate Administration”, Co-Chair, King County Bar Association. October 2017.
- “Personal Estate Planning for the 99%”, Program Chair, King County Bar Association. April 2017.
- “Advising and Advocating for Your Elder Practice Clients: Emerging Issues to Address”, Program C0-Chair, Washington State Bar Association. March 2017.
- “12th Annual Probate Administration”, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association. October 2016.
- “Advising Clients on Retirement and Long-Term Care Planning”, Program Co-Chair, Washing State Bar Association. September 2016.
- “Probate Litigation: Non-TEDRA Causes of Action and Alternatives”, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association. May 2016.
- “Personal Estate Planning for the 99%”, Program Chair, King County Bar Association. April 2016.
- “Navigating Elder Law Systems: Advising Clients in a Complex World”, Program Co-Chair, Elder Law Section, Washington State Bar Association. March 2016.
- “11th Annual Probate Administration”, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association. November 2015.
- “Maintaining A Balance: Ethics and Probate Litigation”, Probate Administration, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association. August 2015.
- “Tax and Planning Issues to Consider”, Estate Planning for the 99%, Program Chair, King County Bar Association. April 2015.
- “Emerging Issues in Guardianship”, Advanced Guardianship Issues, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association. April 2015.
- “Probate Guardian ad Litem and SPR 98.16 W”, Probate Administration, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association presentation. November 2014.
- “Issues regarding Mistreatment of Elders and Vulnerable Adults”, Elder Friendly Futures Conference, Program, University of Washington. October 2014.
- “Community Property Issues to Consider in Estate Planning”, Estate Planning for the 99%, Program Chair, King County Bar Association. April 2014.
- “Probate Guardian ad Litem and SPR 98.16 W”, Probate Administration, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association. November 2013.
- Estate for the 99%, Program Chair, King Country Bar Association. May 2013.
- Probate Administration. Program Co-Chair, King Country Bar Association. November 2012.
- “Legislative and Case Law Update”, Title 11 Guardian ad Litem Training, Presentation, King County Bar Association. April 2012.
- “Administration of Insolvent Estates”, Probate Administration, Program Co-Chair, King County Bar Association. November 2011.
- “Managing the Settlement”, Settlement Guardian ad Litem (SPR 98.16 W) Training Program, Presentation, King Country Bar Association. October 2011.
- “Caution: Avoiding Conflicts of Interest”, Ethical Issues in Elder Law Practice, Avoiding Elder Law Malpractice/Ethical Violations, Washington State Bar Association, Presentation. July 2011.
- “Public Criticism of Professional Guardians”, CPG Spring Training, Washington Association of Professional Guardians, Presentation. May 2011.
- “Legislative and Case Law Update”, Title 11 Guardian ad Litem Training, Presentation, King County Bar Association. May 2011.
- “Unique Fiduciary Duties/Challenges in Probates, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, & Guardianships”, Advanced Issues in Elder Law: So You Think You’re a Fiduciary, Co-Presentation, King County Bar Association. March 2011.
- “Best Practices When Serving as a Professional Trustee or Guardian of the Estate”, Elder Law Best Practices, Presentation, Washington State Bar Association. January 2011.
Honors and Awards
- 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers In America®, 2022
- Washington Super Lawyers List – 2001 – 2010, 2014 – 2023
- Best Lawyers – Seattle Magazine, 2001, 2003
- AV® Preemient™ 5.0 out of 5 rating in Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
- Clients’ Choice 2014 for Estate Planning, Avvo
- Volunteer Award, King County Bar Association
Professional Associations & Memberships
- Washington Planned Giving Council
- Northwest Family Business Advisors
- Estate Planning Council of Seattle
- King County Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, Executive Committee
- Justice Society for the Legal Foundation of Washington
- Washington Association of Professional Guardians, Member of Board of Directors
- King County Bar Association, Guardianship and Elder Law Section, Past-Chair and Executive Committee
- Washington State Bar Association, Elder Law Section, Past Chair and Executive Committee
- Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, Past Member of Executive Committee
- American Bar Association, Member
Representative Cases
- Villegas v. Mcbride, 112 Wn.App. 689 (Wash.App.Div. I 2002)
Blog Posts
Is it Time to Update your Personal and Estate Planning Documents?
As the end of the year approaches, it is a good time to review your Personal and Estate Planning documents. Personal and Estate Planning documents are essential safeguards for you and your loved ones in case of incapacity or death. It is important to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances and events by having personal planning documents […]
What’s Love Got to Do with It?
Separate and Community Property Considerations for Personal and Estate Planning What’s yours, what’s mine, and what’s ours? In Washington State, it depends. Property interests become blurred once two people enter into a committed intimate relationship (aka “CIR”) or get married. Our laws provide guidelines that determine what is separate property and what is community property. […]
The Art of Personal and Estate Planning : An Overview for Artists
While Personal and Estate Planning can be complex and difficult for anyone to do, artists have the added burden and complexity of making specific provisions for their art to ensure their legacy. This blog post addresses some important items for an artist to consider while doing their estate planning, as well as provides some insight […]
Guardianship Pt. 2: How to Start a Guardianship
This is part two of a series on guardianship. The introduction to the series can be viewed here. How is a guardianship started? Anyone who is interested in the well-being of an alleged incapacitated person’s (AIP) can petition the court for the appointment of a guardian of the person and/or estate. A guardianship petition contains allegations […]
Guardianship Pt. 1: An Introduction to Guardianship
Clients often come to Reed Longyear Malnati & Ahrens, PLLC with questions about guardianship and what it means. While a guardianship proceeding can be stressful and complicated, it can be mitigated with the help of an experienced guardianship attorney, as well as taking a proactive approach to gain an understanding of the process and the […]
What is a General Durable Power of Attorney?
In Washington State a General Durable Power of Attorney (GDPOA) is a document that allows the principal to provide authority to an individual, known as an agent or attorney-in-fact, to manage personal finances and assets in the event that the principal is unable to do so due to incapacity (See State of Washington Statue RCW […]