Attorneys

Timothy L. Austin

Mr. Austin's practice emphasizes estate planning and probate, tax planning for individuals and businesses.  In addition, he represents clients in matters of business formations, acquisitions and reorganizations.  He is also of counsel to AERO LAW GROUP, PC where he advises clients with regard to state, federal and international tax issues involving the purchase, ownership and sale of business aircraft. Tim earned his LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida, his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law, and his B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington.

A Washington native, Mr. Austin has practiced in the Seattle area since 1975, first as counsel for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard while an officer in the Navy’s JAG Corps, then as a Certified Public Accountant with Peat Marwick (now KPMG), and thereafter as a partner with the law firm of Graham & Dunn.  Tim is also a former Mayor and Council member of the City of Mill Creek, and is a former Chairman of the Board of Directors of BECU Trust Company. He is also a former member of Golden Gate University’s Graduate Tax Program faculty.  

Mr. Austin is a member of the Seattle Estate Planning Council and the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants. 

Cindy J. Stakset

Ms. Stakset’s practice focuses on estate planning, tax planning for individuals and businesses, probate, and preparation of estate tax returns.

Ms. Stakset earned her Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Washington.  She received her Juris Doctor degree, with Honors, from the University of Washington and was named to the Order of the Coif as one of the top graduates in her law school class.  While in law school, Ms. Stakset served as Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Washington Law Review.  Ms. Stakset earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Washington Foster School of Business

Raised in the Seattle area, Ms. Stakset joined Betts Austin in 2000.  Ms. Stakset’s estate planning practice involves reviewing clients’ estates and devising gifting and estate planning strategies that provide for wealth preservation and efficient asset distribution, much of which is tax driven.  Ms. Stakset develops strategies to help clients best protect assets, minimize taxes, accomplish desired transfers, and minimize disputes after death.  In addition to advising clients as to lifetime and testamentary gifting strategies, Ms. Stakset also assists clients with the preparation and filing of federal gift tax returns.

Ms. Stakset’s tax planning practice includes advising individuals on business and tax matters, reviewing and preparing contracts, and preparing and filing formation documents for S-corporations and limited liability companies.  Her practice also includes advising business entities on a wide variety of matters.

Ms. Stakset’s probate practice is focused on advising and assisting administrators during the probate process.  She assists administrators with making required filings, paying estate creditors, and distributing assets in accordance with the decedent’s will or intestate law.  She also advises clients on a wide variety of issues that arise in the probate process.  In addition to advising clients during the probate process, Ms. Stakset also assists clients with estate administration matters and the preparation and filing of federal and state estate tax returns.