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.

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.