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 has also served 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 (2014-2021)
• 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

• 21st Annual Trust and Estate Litigation Seminar - Panelist on surviving attacks on difficult administrations (April 2024; Washington State Bar Association Real Property, Probate, and Trust Section)
• 2024 Elder Law Fall CLE - Panelist on advising lay fiduciaries (September 2023; Washington State Bar Association Elder Law Section)
• Annual Probate Administration Seminar - Speaker on a range of topics, including alternatives to probate and settling small estates, appointing the personal representative and opening a probate, and identifying and administering nonprobate assets (2014 - 2023; King County Bar Association)
• 2021 Legislative Changes to the Probate Code - Author (August 2021; King County Bar Association Bulletin)
• Washington’s New Electronic Wills Act: Electronic Wills are Coming to Washington State in 2022 - Co-author (July 2021; King County Bar Association Bulletin)
• Personal Estate Planning for the 99% - Speaker on planning considerations for nonprobate assets (2015 - 2021; King County Bar Association)
• Opening Probates in the Time of COVID - Author (December, 2020; King County Bar Association Bulletin)
• Estate Planning is for Everyone - Speaker (November 2018; sponsored by KCTS9)
• Probate Practice in Ex Parte - Speaker (December 2016; King County Bar Association)
• Probate Issues Involving Unmarried Couples (Committed Intimate Relationships), and Probate Litigation: Non-TEDRA Causes of Action and Alternatives - Speaker (May 2016; King County Bar Association)
• Estate Planning Seminar - Speaker (2012 - 2013; sponsored by Edward Jones)
• Estate Planning Strategies for Business Owners Retirement Strategies Seminar - Speaker (October 2009; sponsored by Shannon & Associates, Valley Bank, Curran Law Firm, and ASG Partners)