When preparing an estate plan for a family that includes a child with special needs, mental illness, or substance abuse challenges, careful planning is essential to avoid unintended harm.

When preparing an estate plan for a family that includes a child or grandchild with special needs, mental illness, or substance abuse challenges, careful planning is essential to avoid unintended harm. A well-intentioned inheritance can sometimes disrupt eligibility for vital public benefits, expose assets to exploitation, or worsen destructive behaviors. Tools such as supplemental or special needs trusts, discretionary trusts, and thoughtfully structured distributions can help protect assets while preserving benefit eligibility and providing long-term financial management. Just as important is selecting the right trustee, clearly expressing your intentions, and coordinating the plan with available support systems and treatment considerations. Because these situations involve sensitive financial, medical, and legal factors, personalized legal guidance is critical to ensure your plan provides stability, protection, and dignity for your loved one.

If you have estate planning questions and need som legal advice, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment today.

Personal injury litigation in Washington follows a structured but often misunderstood path.

Personal injury litigation in Washington follows a structured but often misunderstood path, where the focus is on proving liability, establishing damages, and navigating procedural rules designed to encourage resolution while preserving the right to trial. After a claim arises — commonly from auto collisions, premises liability incidents, or other negligence-based injuries — the process may involve insurance negotiations, filing a lawsuit within the statute of limitations, written discovery, depositions, expert evaluations, and potentially mediation or arbitration before reaching a courtroom. Washington’s comparative fault system means financial recovery can be adjusted based on each party’s share of responsibility, making factual investigation and legal strategy especially important. While many cases resolve before trial, thorough preparation remains critical, as credible evidence, medical documentation, and clear damage analysis often drive successful outcomes.

If you or a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker have been injured due to someone else’s negligence and need legal representation, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment for a free initial consultation today.

Owning a vacation home or investment property in another state can expose your estate to ancillary probate — a separate court process required to transfer out-of-state real estate after death.

Owning a vacation home or investment property in another state can unintentionally expose your estate to ancillary probate — a separate, often costly court process required to transfer out-of-state real estate after death. Fortunately, several estate planning tools can help avoid this complication. Common strategies include placing the property into a Revocable Living Trust, which allows the asset to pass without probate across state lines, or holding title through an entity such as an LLC where appropriate. In some cases, using transfer-on-death deeds (available in many states) or ensuring proper joint ownership with survivorship rights may also streamline the transfer. Because probate and property laws vary by jurisdiction, careful coordination is essential. Proactive planning not only reduces administrative expenses and delays but also spares your loved ones from navigating multiple court system during an already difficult time.

If you own real estate outside the state where you live and have questions about ancillary probate avoidance tools and techniques, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

A basic estate plan does not need to be complicated to provide meaningful protection for you and your family.

A basic estate plan does not need to be complicated to provide meaningful protection for you and your family. Even without Trusts for minor children or advanced tax strategies, a well-prepared plan typically includes a Last Will and Testament, Powers of Attorney for financial and healthcare decisions, and a Health Care Directive. These documents allow you to name who will manage your affairs if you become incapacitated, who will receive your assets, and who will handle the administration of your estate. For many individuals and families, this straightforward approach delivers clarity, reduces the likelihood of disputes, and makes life significantly easier for loved ones during difficult times. The key is not complexity, but ensuring your wishes are clearly documented and legally valid.

If you have questions about preparing a basic estate plan, 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.

In a nonprofit corporation, directors and officers play distinct but complementary roles in keeping the organization compliant, effective, and mission-focused.

In a nonprofit corporation, directors and officers play distinct but complementary roles in keeping the organization compliant, effective, and mission-focused. The board of directors is responsible for overall governance: appointing the officers, setting policy, safeguarding the nonprofit’s charitable purpose, overseeing finances and adopting/approving the budget, hiring and evaluating executive leadership, and ensuring the organization complies with legal and fiduciary duties. Officers, by contrast, handle day-to-day management and execution of the board’s vision, with roles typically including a president or executive director, vice president, treasurer, and secretary, each carrying specific operational responsibilities defined by the bylaws. While directors focus on the “big picture” and long-term strategy, officers translate those decisions into action, making it essential that both understand their respective duties to avoid overlap, confusion, or liability.

If you are a director or officer of a nonprofit corporation and have questions about your role and duties, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can help.

In Washington, thoughtful planning can help families avoid the time, cost, and public nature of probate by using tools that transfer assets automatically at death.

In Washington, thoughtful planning can help families avoid the time, cost, and public nature of probate by using tools that transfer assets automatically at death. A revocable living trust is one of the most flexible options, allowing you to manage assets during life and pass them to beneficiaries without court involvement, while beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement accounts, and “payable on death” (POD) or “transfer on death” (TOD) financial accounts move funds directly to named recipients. Washington also allows Transfer on Death Deeds for real estate, letting property pass to a beneficiary without probate, and joint ownership with right of survivorship can achieve similar results when used carefully. Married couples sometimes use community property agreements to provide for automatic transfer to the surviving spouse, and smaller estates may qualify for a Small Estate Affidavit process instead of full probate. Each technique has trade-offs involving control, taxes, creditor issues, and family dynamics, so the key is coordinating these tools as part of an overall estate plan rather than relying on any single shortcut.

If probate avoidance is one of your estate planning goals, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can be of service.

A “springing” Power of Attorney becomes effective upon the occurrence of a specific event while an immediately effective Power of Attorney grants authority as soon as the document is signed.

A “springing” Power of Attorney becomes effective only upon the occurrence of a specified event — usually a physician’s determination that the principal is incapacitated — while an immediately effective Power of Attorney grants authority to the agent as soon as the document is signed. The advantage of a springing Power of Attorney is psychological comfort and added protection against misuse, since the agent has no authority unless incapacity is established; however, the downside is delay and practical difficulty, as banks and financial institutions may hesitate to rely on it or require burdensome proof of incapacity at the very moment quick action is needed. An immediately effective Power of Attorney, on the other hand, allows seamless assistance with financial, legal, or property matters, which is helpful for convenience, travel, or gradual cognitive decline, but it requires a high level of trust because the agent’s authority exists right away. Choosing between the two involves balancing control and protection against efficiency and ease of use, and careful drafting can add safeguards — such as accounting requirements or limits on gifting — to either approach.

If you have questions about Powers of Attorney or any other aspect of estate planning, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment today. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

After a car collision, personal injury claims involving connective tissue injuries often follow a different path than claims involving broken bones or obvious trauma.

After a car collision, personal injury claims involving connective tissue injuries — like sprains, strains, and soft-tissue damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons — often follow a different path than claims involving broken bones or obvious trauma. Treatment typically begins with prompt medical evaluation, followed by ongoing care such as physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, massage therapy, or pain management, with detailed medical records serving as the backbone of the claim. Because these injuries may not appear on X-rays or imaging right away, insurers frequently scrutinize them, focusing on consistency of treatment, gaps in care, prior injuries, and how well symptoms are documented by providers. Once the injured person reaches maximum medical improvement or has a clear prognosis, a demand package is submitted that includes medical records, bills, wage loss documentation, and evidence of how the injuries affected daily life. Negotiations with the insurance adjuster usually follow, and if a fair settlement cannot be reached, the claim may proceed to litigation, where testimony from treating providers and the injured person helps establish the legitimacy, duration, and impact of the connective tissue injuries.

If you or a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker have been injured in an auto collision and need legal representation, give us a call today at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment for a free initial consultation.

Creating a Will to appoint a guardian for your minor children is one of the most important steps you can take to protect their future.

Creating a Will to appoint a guardian for your minor children is one of the most important steps you can take to protect their future. By naming a trusted guardian, you ensure that someone who shares your values and parenting style will care for your children if something happens to you. Without this legal document, the court may decide who will look after your children, which might not align with your wishes. A clear and thoughtfully written Will provides peace of mind, minimizing confusion and potential conflict during an already emotional time. Consulting with an experienced lawyer can help you formalize your decision and ensure that every detail is handled properly.

If you have questions about Wills, guardianships, or other aspects of estate planning, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.

Creating a thoughtful estate plan is one of the most effective ways to prevent family fights after you’re gone.

Creating a thoughtful estate plan is one of the most effective ways to prevent family fights after you’re gone. Clear, legally valid documents — such as a Will, Trust, Powers of Attorney, and healthcare directives — remove uncertainty about your wishes and reduce the chances of misunderstandings, resentment, or accusations of favoritism. By naming decision-makers, spelling out how assets should be distributed, and addressing sensitive issues in advance, you take the burden of guesswork off your loved ones during an already emotional time. An estate plan also gives you the opportunity to communicate your intentions clearly, align expectations, and minimize disputes that can drain both family relationships and estate assets. In short, good estate planning isn’t just about money — it’s about preserving peace within your family.

If you would like to talk about creating an estate plan or updating an existing one, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment today.

Forming a nonprofit corporation in Washington involves more than just filing paperwork, and hiring a lawyer can help ensure it’s done right from the start.

Forming a nonprofit corporation in Washington involves more than just filing paperwork, and hiring a lawyer can help ensure it’s done right from the start. An experienced lawyer can guide you through choosing the correct nonprofit purpose, drafting compliant articles of incorporation and bylaws, and navigating Washington’s specific requirements under state law, including director duties and member structures. A lawyer can also coordinate state filings with the IRS application for tax-exempt status, helping you avoid common mistakes that can delay or jeopardize approval. By working with legal counsel at the formation stage, founders can create a strong governance framework, protect board members from unnecessary risk, and position the nonprofit for long-term compliance and success.

If you are looking to form a nonprofit organization in the new year, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can be of service.

Wrapping up a probate estate in Washington typically happens once debts are paid, taxes are resolved, and the Personal Representative is ready to distribute assets to the beneficiaries.

Wrapping up a probate estate in Washington typically happens once debts are paid, taxes are resolved, and the Personal Representative (formerly called the Executor) is ready to distribute assets to the beneficiaries. Washington’s probate process is relatively efficient, but there are still required steps at the end, including providing an accounting (formal or informal), obtaining beneficiary receipts, and preparing a Declaration of Completion if the estate is administered without court supervision. Once assets are distributed and the declaration is filed, the probate can usually be closed without a court hearing, bringing finality and legal protection to the Personal Representative. Properly closing the estate ensures beneficiaries receive what they are entitled to and reduces the risk of future disputes or personal liability.

If you have questions about the probate process, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment today.

Many long-term, unmarried couples assume their partner will automatically be protected if something happens — but under Washington law, that’s often not the case.

Many long-term, unmarried couples assume their partner will automatically be protected if something happens — but under Washington law, that’s often not the case. Without a valid estate plan, an unmarried partner has no default right to inherit assets, make medical decisions, or manage affairs, even after decades together. This is especially risky for couples who share children or own real estate together, where the absence of a Will, Trust, or beneficiary designations can lead to unintended outcomes, court involvement, and family conflict. An estate plan allows unmarried partners to clearly define who inherits what, nominate guardians for minor children, provide financial stability for the surviving partner, and ensure shared property passes smoothly. Taking these steps in advance gives committed couples the legal protections their relationship doesn’t automatically receive — and provides peace of mind for the people who matter most.

If you have questions about estate planning, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can be of service.

If you’ve suffered connective tissue injuries in an auto collision that wasn’t your fault, hiring a lawyer can make a meaningful difference in your recovery and financial outcome.

If you’ve suffered connective tissue injuries (what insurance companies and defense lawyers call “soft tissue injuries”) — such as whiplash, sprains, or strains — in an auto collision that wasn’t your fault, hiring a lawyer can make a meaningful difference in your recovery and financial outcome. Connective tissue injuries are often invisible on X-rays and MRIs, which means insurance companies frequently downplay their seriousness or argue they aren’t related to the crash at all. An experienced lawyer knows how to document your injuries through medical records, expert opinions, and clear timelines, and can push back against tactics designed to minimize your claim. A lawyer can also handle communications with insurers, calculate the full value of your damages — including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering — and work toward a fair settlement while you focus on healing.

If you or a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker have been injured in an auto collision and need legal representation, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment for a free initial consultation today.