Karolyn Ann Hicks - Estate Planning profile photo

Karolyn Ann Hicks

Stokes Lawrence • Seattle, WA
Estate PlanningPersonal Injury

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Contact

Email
Phone
(206) 462-4061
Address
1420 Fifth Avenue Suite 3000, Seattle, WA, 98101-2393, US

Professional

About

An experienced negotiator and litigator, Karolyn’s practice focuses primarily on trust and estate disputes, complex business disputes, and disputes between members of closely held companies. Clients come to Karolyn for her compassionate advocacy and insightful counsel while working in their best interest. Highly regarded as a top trust and estate litigator in Washington, Karolyn uses her long-standing, well-established relationships with other leading attorneys in her field to avoid litigation and resolve matters early. When a case cannot be settled, she is a seasoned litigator--with a demonstrated track record on behalf of her clients. In her 22 years of private practice, Karolyn has handled cases on behalf of fiduciaries, beneficiaries, charities, major corporations, closely held businesses, and individual parties. Karolyn also serves as a mediator in numerous and varied cases, helping attorneys achieve settlements for their clients and avoid ongoing fees, costs, trials and appeals.

About Estate Planning Law

Estate planning attorneys help individuals plan for the distribution of their assets and care during incapacity. They create wills, trusts, and other documents to protect families and minimize taxes. Common matters include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives.

Credentials

Education
2000 American University, Washington College of Law JD - Juris Doctor 1997 Pennsylvania State University, University Park (main campus) BA - Bachelor of Arts

Recognition & Involvement

Awards
2025 The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers 2024 Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers 2024 Best Lawyers in America in Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Best Lawyers 2023 Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers 2023 Best Lawyers in America in Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Best Lawyers
Publications
2020 Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration in Washington, Chapter 4 Issues Involving Beneficiaries 2020 StokesLaw Briefs Kindred of the Half-Blood: Not a Harry Potter Book 2017 WSBA Real Property Probate and Trust Section Newsletter Get Your Business Dispute Out of My TEDRA 2014 King County Bar Bulletin Talking TEDRA 2014 Stokes Law Briefs Will Contests: To File or Not to File? That is the Question
Associations
Litigation Sub-Committee of the Washington State Bar Association Real Property Probate and Trust Section Member Litigation Sub-Committee of the Washington State Bar Association Real Property Probate and Trust Section quarterly newsletter "The Codicil" Editor King County Bar Association Neighborhood Clinics Volunteer Attorney 2009 - 2011 Q-LAW Judicial Evaluation Committee Member 2007 - 2008 King County Bar Association's Neighborhood Legal Clinics Committee Member
Speaking
2023 Hot Topics in Guardianship & Elder Law CLE VAPA/APS Overlap re: Financial Exploitation & Slayer/Abuser Statute 2022 Stokes Lawrence Presents: Webinar Series Trust & Estate Disputes 2022 King County Bar Association TEDRA at 22 - Reflections on the Past, Present and Future of the Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act 2020 WSBA 17th Annual Trust and Estate Litigation Seminar Select Ethical Considerations in Trust & Estate Litigation 2018 2018 Real Property, Probate & Trust Midyear Trust and Estate Litigation After Rathbone: Jurisdiction, Standing, and Other Considerations
Updated: Mar 26, 2026