Chad Horner

Chad’s practice focuses on advising individuals and families on how to protect and help their loved ones through proper estate planning. This often includes preparing wills, trusts and related documents, but also includes a review of clients’ financial situation and a discussion about their goals before and when they pass away. Chad also advises families after a loved one has passed away and can assist them through the probate process when one is necessary. He is a frequent speaker on topics involving estate planning, probates, and estate administration.

Chad has been appointed by the court to many positions, including estate administrator, probate guardian ad litem, special representative, and special master. Chad currently serves as a Pro Tem Commissioner in the King County Superior Court’s Ex Parte and Probate Department. As has always been important at the Curran Law Firm, an essential part of Chad’s practice has involved community service, including working with clients at legal clinics and serving on boards helping children with disabilities and improving access to affordable healthcare.

Professional and Community Involvement

• King County Superior Court, Pro Tem Commissioner
• Washington State Bar Association, Member
• King County Bar Association, Member
• South King County Bar Association, Member
• Children’s Therapy Center, Past Member of Board of Directors and Past President
• HealthPoint, Board of Directors and Past President
• South King County Legal Clinic, Volunteer Attorney
• Family Law Information Center, Volunteer Attorney

Education

• J.D., cum laude, Drake University, 1997
  • Editor in Chief, Drake Law Review
  • Order of the Coif
• B.A., University of Washington, 1993

Bar / Court Admissions

• Admitted to Washington State Bar
• Admitted to U.S. District Court for the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington

Presentations & Publications

• Estate Planning is for Everyone – a presentation sponsored by KCTS9 (November 2018)
• Opening a Probate, Alternatives to Probate and Administering Nonprobate Assets – 2018 Probate Administration, King County Bar Association (November 2018)
• Planning Considerations for Nonprobate Assets – 2018 Personal Estate Planning for the 99%, King County Bar Association (April 2018)
• Appointing the Personal Representative and Opening a Probate – 2017 Probate Administration, King County Bar Association (October 2017)
• Planning Considerations for Nonprobate Assets – 2017 Personal Estate Planning for the 99%, King County Bar Association (April 2017)
• Probate Practice in Ex Parte – Navigating the King County Ex Parte Department, King County Bar Association (December 2016)
• Probate Issues Involving Unmarried Couples (Committed Intimate Relationships) – Probate Litigation: Non-TEDRA Causes of Action and Alternatives, King County Bar Association (May 2016)
• Planning Considerations for Nonprobate Assets – Personal Estate Planning for the 99%, King County Bar Association  (April 2016)
• Identifying and Administering Nonprobate Assets – Eleventh Annual Probate Administration Seminar, King County Bar Association (November 2015)
• Planning Considerations for Nonprobate Assets – Personal Estate Planning for the 99%   (April 2015)
• Settling Small Estates - Tenth Annual Probate Administration Seminar, King County Bar Association (November 2014)
• Estate Planning Seminar - Sponsored by Edward Jones (October 2013)
• Estate Planning Seminar - Sponsored by Edward Jones (November 2012)
• Estate Planning Strategies for Business Owners - Retirement Strategies Seminar sponsored by Shannon & Associates, Valley Bank, Curran Law Firm, and ASG Partners (October 2009)