Michael Safren, Partner

Michael Safren’s practice focuses on helping people through the estate planning and probate process.  He has successfully guided many families through the probate process.  Probate can often become complicated.  Creditors may claim they are owed money from the estate, beneficiaries may dispute their share of the estate, incomplete, ambiguous, and poorly drafted wills can cause confusion as to how to distribute, apportion, or manage the estate, and minor children or incapacitated adults requiring court-appointed guardians during the probate process are but just a few of the issues that can arise during probate. 

Michael has successfully counseled and led his clients through each of these circumstances.  Michael has experience successfully managing the complex process of claiming and distributing estate funds when wrongful death claims are involved in the probate, legally avoiding and rejecting tens of thousands of dollars of creditor’s claims against the estate, and appointing and working with Probate Guardians Ad Litem when there is an incapacitated beneficiary or minor beneficiaries in the probate case. Equally, Michael helps his clients avoid these costly, time-consuming, and conflict inducing issues, through careful estate planning. 

Michael also guides and represents clients on real estate matters.  From Landlord/ Tenant matters to drafting deeds, easements, and covenants to boundary line adjustments and disputes, Michael has represented clients to obtain successful outcomes in all the areas.

Regardless of the practice area, Michael specializes in guiding clients through the legal process, informing and educating clients about their rights, and advocating on behalf of his clients to ensure that they get the best results possible.  Michael has appeared in courts throughout the state of Washington and provides practical advice and guidance for his clients in estate planning, probate administration, and real estate matters.

Prior to joining the Law Offices of Jenny Ling, Michael was an associate at several prestigious law firms in Seattle, where he gained experience in litigation, real estate, commercial litigation, and probate.  He has appeared in courts throughout the state of Washington and represented clients in mediation, arbitration, and in Federal and Superior Court.  Michael also worked in the title and escrow industry where he served as an escrow officer where he successfully closed both residential and commercial real estate transactions worth many millions of dollars.

Michael graduated from Seattle University School of Law cum laude. While attending law school, Michael served in both the Tacoma City Attorney’s Office and the Civil Division of the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office where he represented Tacoma and Pierce County in civil litigation matters such as personal injury and insurance claims, real property, and municipal law questions. 

Michael takes a client focused approached to the practice of law. He believes that his job is not just to represent or advocacy for his clients, but educate his clients so that clients understand the legal process, strategy, and tactics.  It is important that clients are active partners in their representation so that they can make informed decisions about their legal rights and the steps necessary to enforce or protect them. Michael also applies practical knowledge and wisdom to addressing his clients’ problems so that the choice to employ the legal process is a valuable and cost-effective decision for clients, and not just an exercise in legal maneuvering. 

When Michael is out of the office, enjoys spends his time with his family, cooking, and watching football.

Education

Seattle University School of Law, J.D.

University of Florida, Master of Arts In International Business
University of Florida, BBA;

Admissions

All Washington courts
US District Court for the Western District of Washington


Professional Associations

Washington State Bar Association

Executive Committee, Real Property, Probate and Trust

Representative Cases

• Guided and counseled client through probate process in complicated probate involving multi-million wrongful death settlement and distributions to trust established by court order for minor beneficiary;

• Drafted TEDRA Agreements to avoid provisions of decedent’s will which would have otherwise required the establishment of a Trust for decedent’s adult children;

• Represented clients in boundary line dispute by allowing client to gain ownership of neighboring land in excess of deeded parcel

• Stopped a foreclosure action initiated by COA and successfully refuted COA claims of unpaid balances, penalties, and interest for client

• Stopped a partition action for defendant client, which would have forced the sale of client’s home

• Prevailed in lawsuit to obtain release of Earnest Money for client

• Achieved full payment of more than $100,000 for client’s secured loan from title company/ escrow company including past due interest, fees, and attorney fees

• Prevailed at summary judgment to dismiss claims of secured loan against client and attorney fees

Additional Languages

Spanish