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.

Unexpected health issues can arise at any age without warning, so don't put off creating an estate plan.

Many people put off creating an estate plan because they feel healthy and assume there will be time to deal with it later, but unexpected health issues can arise at any age and without warning. A sudden illness or accident can leave you unable to make decisions for yourself, forcing loved ones to guess your wishes or seek court involvement during an already stressful time. A well-crafted estate plan ensures that trusted people can manage your finances, make medical decisions, and carry out your intentions if you are incapacitated or pass away. Planning ahead is not about predicting the worst — it’s about protecting yourself and your family from uncertainty and giving everyone clarity and peace of mind when it matters most.

If you’d like to talk about creating an estate plan or updating an existing one in the new year, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment today.

When your kid turns 18, the law treats them as an adult, which means parents no longer have automatic authority to access medical information, make health care decisions, or manage financial matters.

When your child turns 18, the law treats them as an adult, which means parents no longer have automatic authority to access medical information, make health care decisions, or manage financial matters — even in an emergency. Having your college-aged kids sign a Durable Power of Attorney and a Health Care Power of Attorney ensures that someone they trust can step in if they’re injured, ill, studying abroad, or otherwise unable to act for themselves. These documents can allow a parent to speak with doctors, consent to treatment, handle banking issues, sign leases, or deal with insurance and school-related matters without costly delays or court involvement. While it’s not a conversation most families look forward to, putting these powers in place is a simple, inexpensive step that provides peace of mind and avoids chaos at exactly the moment your family needs clarity and support the most.

If you have kids who are off to college and want to talk about Powers of Attorney for them, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can help.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.