Our office will be closed on Wednesday, December 24th, and Thursday, December 25th, as we celebrate Christmas with our friends and families.
As the year draws to a close, settling a personal injury case before December 31 can offer practical advantages for injured clients who are ready to resolve their claims. End-of-year settlements often align with insurance carriers’ internal deadlines and budgeting goals, which can sometimes make adjusters more motivated to close files and negotiate realistically. For clients, finalizing a settlement before year-end can provide financial certainty going into the new year and, in some cases, allow attorney fees and case costs paid by December 31 to be addressed for tax planning purposes. That said, timing should never override value — every case should settle when it is fully developed and fairly valued, not simply because the calendar is changing. An experienced lawyer can help evaluate whether an end-of-year settlement makes strategic sense for your specific case.
If you or a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker have been injured in an auto collision or other incident, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can help.
Life changes, and your estate plan should change with it. Marriage or divorce, the birth or adoption of a child or grandchild, a move to a new state, changes in your finances, or even a shift in who you trust to make decisions can all make an existing plan outdated or ineffective. Making changes to your estate plan doesn’t always mean starting from scratch; often, targeted updates to your Will, Trust, Powers of Attorney, or beneficiary designations can ensure your wishes are still clearly reflected and legally enforceable. Regular reviews — especially after major life events — help avoid unintended consequences, family disputes, or costly court involvement, and give you peace of mind that your plan still does what it was meant to do: protect you and the people you care about most.
If you are interested in revising or updating your current estate plan or would like to talk about creating an estate plan if you don’t already have one, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment today. We proudly represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.
Preparing an inventory for a probate estate is a key early step that helps ensure the process runs smoothly and transparently. After being appointed by the court, the personal representative must gather and list all probate assets — such as bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, personal property, and outstanding debts owed to the estate — as of the date of death. Washington law requires this inventory to be both accurate and reasonably detailed, since it will guide everything from creditor notifications to tax filings and eventual distributions to heirs. A well-prepared inventory not only keeps the estate in compliance with statutory duties, but also helps prevent disputes by giving beneficiaries a clear, organized snapshot of the estate’s value and components right from the start.
If you’ve been named Personal Representative of a loved one’s estate and have questions about your duties and responsibilities, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can be of service.
Starting a small business in Washington is an exciting process, and understanding the key steps can set you up for success from day one. Begin by choosing a business structure — like an LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship — and making sure your business name is available through the Washington Secretary of State. Next, register your business and obtain a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number by filing a Business License Application with the Department of Revenue. Depending on what you do, you may also need local city licenses or specialized state permits. Don’t forget to set up a separate business bank account, register for state taxes if required, and consider obtaining liability insurance. Finally, create a solid business plan and bookkeeping system to help keep you organized and compliant as you grow.
If you’re thinking about starting a new business in 2026 and need some advice, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.
Washington’s Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA) is one of the most powerful tools available for efficiently resolving conflicts in probate, Trust, and Estate matters. Instead of forcing families into lengthy and expensive court battles, TEDRA allows interested parties to use private agreements, mediation, and streamlined court procedures to settle almost any issue — from interpreting a Will to resolving fiduciary disputes to modifying a Trust. The result is a flexible, collaborative framework that can save time, reduce costs, and preserve family relationships while still providing the court oversight needed for finality and enforceability. For anyone administering an estate or navigating a Trust issue in Washington, understanding TEDRA can open the door to faster, smarter, and more peaceful resolutions.
If you have questions about TEDRA or any other aspect of estate or Trust administration, give us a call at 263.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.
In Washington, Small Estate Affidavits offer a streamlined way for families to transfer a deceased loved one’s personal property without opening a full probate, saving time, money, and stress during an already difficult period. If the estate is valued under $100,000 and doesn’t include real estate, an heir can typically claim assets — like bank accounts, vehicles, or personal belongings — by waiting 40 days after death and presenting a properly completed affidavit to the institution holding the property. This process avoids court involvement, but heirs must follow the statutory requirements closely and ensure all debts, including funeral expenses, are addressed. For many families, a Small Estate Affidavit is an efficient, accessible tool that keeps the administration simple and allows them to move forward more quickly.
If you have questions about dealing with a loved one’s estate that may qualify for using the Small Estate Affidavits procedure, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.
Settling a personal injury lawsuit can take anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on how complex the case is and how quickly your medical condition stabilizes. Insurance companies typically won’t discuss meaningful settlement until you’ve reached “maximum medical improvement,” meaning your doctors have a clear picture of your long-term prognosis and costs. Straightforward cases with minor injuries and clear liability often resolve through negotiation within six to twelve months, while cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, multiple parties, or litigation can extend well beyond a year. The key is patience and preparation — your lawyer uses this time to build the strongest possible claim so that when settlement talks do happen, they reflect the full value of your injuries and future needs.
If you or a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker have been injured in an auto collision or other incident and need legal representation, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment for a free initial consultation today.
If you’ve been putting off resolving a legal matter, here’s a good year-end reminder: certain attorney fees can be deductible on your 2025 tax return if they’re paid by December 31. While not all legal fees qualify, the IRS allows deductions for fees related to producing taxable income, collecting or securing alimony, certain employment claims, and other specific situations. The key is timing — deductible fees generally count in the year they’re paid, not when the work was performed, so making that payment before the end of the year can give you a tangible tax benefit. As always, keep detailed invoices and consult with a tax professional to confirm that your particular fees are eligible and to make sure you maximize any deduction available to you.
Our office will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, as we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends. Everyone have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Leaving a valid Will is one of the simplest ways to make administering your estate easier, faster, and cheaper for your loved ones. A properly drafted Will clearly identifies your beneficiaries, names a Personal Representative with authority to act, and explains exactly how you want your assets handled, which greatly reduces the uncertainty and delays that come with an intestate estate. Instead of your family navigating court hearings to determine heirs or obtain expanded authority, a valid Will streamlines the probate process, minimizes disputes, and can even limit costs by avoiding unnecessary legal work. In short, taking the time now to put your wishes in writing can spare your family significant stress and expense later.
If you want to talk about preparing a Will — or any other estate planning documents — give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment today.
Including charitable giving in your estate plan is a powerful way to leave a legacy that reflects your values while also providing potential tax benefits for your heirs. By incorporating tools like charitable bequests in your Will, beneficiary designations, or more structured options such as Charitable Remainder Trusts or Donor Advised Funds, you can support the organizations and causes that matter most to you long after you’re gone. Thoughtful planning ensures your gifts are distributed efficiently and according to your wishes, and it may even reduce estate taxes or simplify probate. Working with an estate planning lawyer can help you choose the right charitable strategies to maximize both your impact and the financial advantages for your loved ones.
If you have questions about including charitable as a part of your estate planning, or about estate planning in general, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.
Valuing a personal injury case is both an art and a science. While no two cases are alike, several key factors help determine what fair compensation should look like. These include the extent of medical bills, lost wages, future treatment needs, pain and suffering, and the impact on the injured person’s quality of life. Insurance companies often use algorithms, formulas, or past case comparisons, but an experienced lawyer knows how to present the unique facts of each case to ensure a full and fair valuation. At the end of the day, understanding the real value of a claim requires careful analysis, negotiation skill, and a deep understanding of how juries in your community view similar cases.
If you’ve been injured in an auto collision or other incident and need legal representation, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment for a free initial consultation today.
Probating an estate in Washington involves several key steps designed to ensure that a deceased person’s assets are properly managed and distributed. The process begins when the court appoints a Personal Representative — either named in the Will or selected by the court — to handle the estate. The PR gathers and values all assets, notifies heirs and creditors, and publishes a notice to creditors in a local newspaper. Debts, taxes, and final expenses must then be paid before any remaining property can be distributed to beneficiaries according to the Will or state law if there is no Will. Once the court is satisfied that all obligations are met, the estate can be closed, and the PR is released from further duties.
If you have probate questions, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.
Many families in the Northwest have connections on both sides of the Washington–Idaho border, and that can make estate planning more complicated than expected. Washington and Idaho have very different rules for probate, community property, and estate taxes — Washington has its own estate tax, while Idaho does not. If you own property or have family in both states, a coordinated estate plan is essential to avoid duplicate probate proceedings and unexpected tax consequences. A lawyer licensed and experienced with both Washington and Idaho law can help you structure Wills, Trusts, and asset ownership so your plan works smoothly, wherever your assets or loved ones are located.
If you have estate planning questions, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can be of service to Washington and Idaho clients.