Atty. Michael W. Howard
Michael W. Howard joined the firm in an of Counsel position in 2016.
Profile Summary
About Michael W. Howard at a glance
Michael W. Howard is an Of Counsel based in Tacoma, Washington. They have 45+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1981. Their practice focuses on wills, trusts, probate, estate planning, and real estate. Admitted to practice in Washington (1981), United States District Court, Western District of Washington (1981), and United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington (1983). Educated at University School of Law (J.D., 1981) and University of Washington (B.A. Business, 1974). Serands clients in Tacoma, WA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- Michael W. Howard joined the firm in an of Counsel position in 2016
- He provides representation in the areas of probate, estate and trust planning, fiduciary services, elder law, guardianship and trust services
- He serves as a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem for Title 11 matters, including as attorney for alleged incapacitated adults and minors
- Mr. Howard also serves as both court and privately appointed personal representative in probates
- Mr. Howard’s reputation is that of a thoughtful and reasoned problem solver with solid communication skills
- He brings years of diverse civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution experience to the table on every case
- Depending on the facts of the case and the client’s goal, Mr. Howard forcefully advocates for creative, non-litigation solutions to resolve complex financial, and often emotional, family issues
- From November 1996 through 2015, Mr. Howard was the principal of his own firm
- His practice focused on estate and trust planning, probate, fiduciary services, elder law, residential real estate transactions and alternative dispute resolution through mediation, arbitration, and non-judicial agreements
- During this time, Mr. Howard developed significant experience in cases involving drug and alcohol dependency, mental illness, dementia, and physical and emotional disabilities
- From 1989 to October 1996, Mr. Howard was a senior attorney for John A. Henry and Associates where he managed a diverse civil litigation practice in residential real estate, family law, bodily injury cases, and treatment options for those with drug and alcohol dependencies
- During this period, he served as a judge pro tem in Municipal and District Court, as a special district investigator for the Washington State Bar, and began training as an arbitrator for bodily injury cases
- From 1982 through 1989, Mr. Howard practiced criminal defense with an emphasis on treatment options for offenders with drug or alcohol dependencies and other forms of disability
- He expanded his practice into civil litigation by associating with law firms in transition to clear their litigation and transactional backlogs
- These associations allowed Mr. Howard to gain training and experience in representing individuals in all aspects of family law, bodily injury, construction defect, and real estate litigation
- He also conducted probates and provided estate-planning services
- Licenses • King County Superior Court Mandatory Arbitration Panel: 2004 • RCW 11.88 Guardian ad Litem: 2016, Pierce County and Kitsap County Affiliation(s)/Membership(s) • Washington State Bar Association • Elder Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association • Real Property, Probate and Trust Section of the Washington State Bar Association • Tacoma/Pierce County Bar Association • Guardianship Section of the Tacoma/Pierce County Bar Association
Practice Areas Explained
Michael W. Howard's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael W. Howard handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Michael W. Howard is one of 34,541 wills attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wills attorneys in Washington →
Michael W. Howard is one of 104,171 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in Washington →
Michael W. Howard is one of 128,014 probate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse probate attorneys in Washington →
An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.
Michael W. Howard is one of 226,536 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in Washington →
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
Michael W. Howard is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Washington →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Washington
Practicing law in Washington. Legal matters in Washington are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Tacoma are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Washington state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Washington brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Washington courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Washington attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Tacoma or all attorneys in Washington.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about Michael W. Howard
Where is Michael W. Howard's law office located?
What practice areas does Michael W. Howard handle?
How long has Michael W. Howard practiced law?
Where did Michael W. Howard go to law school?
How can I contact Michael W. Howard for a consultation?
Practice Areas
Education
Bar Admissions
Reviews
No reviews yet.