Trust and Estate Attorney Kirsten L. Ambach Trust and Estate Attorney Kirsten L. Ambach

Kirsten L. Ambach, Shareholder

DIRECT: 206-224-8179

LEGAL ASSISTANT: Jennifer Clautier

Overview

Kirsten Ambach’s practice focuses on estate planning, trusts, and estate administration. She counsels clients on all aspects of the estate planning process, including tax strategies, complex trusts, asset protection, intrafamily gifts, and other wealth transfers. Kirsten guides individual and professional fiduciaries through the estate and trust administration process.

Presentations & Publications

  • Interview, “The Confusing Fallout of Dying Without a Will,” Wall Street Journal (2023)
  • Co-Speaker, “On the Road Again: Counseling Clients Crossing State Borders,” Estate Planning Council of Seattle’s 67th Annual Estate Planning Seminar (2022)
  • Speaker, “Washington’s Real Estate Excise Tax: What is Changing and a Review of Some Exemptions Important to Estate Planners,” Washington ACTEC Study Group (2019)
  • Speaker, “QTIP Election of a Washington Exemption Trust,” Washington State Bar Association (2018)
  • Speaker, “Nuts and Bolts of Probate,” Skagit County Bar Association (2017)
  • Author, “Mechanics behind the 1% Washington QTIP Election,” Washington State Bar Association Newsletter (2017)
  • Speaker, “Portability, Estate, Gift, GST Taxes, and Basis, Estate Administration Boot Camp,” NBI (2016)
  • Speaker, “Tax Planning and Reporting, Advanced Estate and Trust Administration,” NBI (2016)

Awards & Recognition

  • Named one of Washington’s Super Lawyers for several consecutive years beginning in 2008
  • Recognized as a Five Star Professional by Seattle Magazine

Personal

Outside of the office, Kirsten enjoys keeping up with her children, quiet runs, and good books.

  • J.D., with highest honors, University of Washington School of Law
    • Order of the Coif
    • Delta Theta Phi Award
    • Washington Law Review, Articles Editor
  • M.A., Columbia University
    • Honors: E. Colford Morris Award
  • B.A., summa cum laude, University of Washington
    • Honors: Dean’s Medal of Honor, Outstanding Graduating Student in Humanities

  • Washington State Bar

  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  • Washington State Bar Association
    • Real Property, Probate & Trust Section
    • Taxation Section Estate and Gift Tax Committee Member, 2014-Present
    • Executive Committee ex officio member (2017-2019)
    • Newsletter Editor (2018-2019)
    • Assistant Newsletter Editor (2017-2018)
  • King County Bar Association
    • Volunteer Legal Services, Estate Planning Volunteer, 2011-Present
    • Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation, Children’s Legacy Advisor, 2014-Present
    • Newcomers Resource Project, Estate Planning Volunteer (2005-2017)
  • Estate Planning Council of Seattle