Estate Planning and Organ Donation

Estate planning usually includes the preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Living Wills. The estate planning meeting should also include a discussion about the possibility of organ and tissue donation. It's an attorney's job to get his clients to think about issues they may not otherwise address, whether the issue is who will be guardian of a minor or special needs child, who will inherit particular property, what charitable gifts the client wants to make, who will handle the client's affairs if the client becomes incapacitated, what medical care the client wants if he or she is terminally ill or in a coma, or what will be done with the client's organs and tissues after the client has died. The lawyer can, by conversations with clients and their families, provide input about all of these important areas.

However, organ and tissue donation is rarely raised. It is important that the attorney and client discuss these things. Many people die each year or go through painful and expensive medical procedures while waiting for organ donations. If more lawyers raised these issues with their clients, more people might become organ and tissue donors. By raising the issue of organ and tissue donation with clients during the estate planning process and helping clients understand their rights regarding provisions for such donations, attorneys can have a large impact on society by helping clients' effectuate their wishes to donate, and helping those in need of organs and tissue.

If you have questions about how you can include your wishes regarding organ donation as part of your estate plan, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can help.

Estate planning is a platform for making important choices about the future.

Estate planning is a platform for making important choices about the future. With the help of a skilled attorney, you can take steps that will protect your assets, express your wishes concerning health issues, and make important arrangements that will make things easier for your family when you die. When prepared wisely and thoroughly, a comprehensive estate plan will allow you to make critical decisions about where your property will go, take care of family members and make gifts to causes you care about, avoid unnecessary tax liabilities, prevent disputes between your loved ones, and designate who will care for you if you become incapacitated.

If you, your family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors have questions about their estate planning needs, give us a call at 253.858.5434. We proudly serve clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via Skype.

Retiring Baby Boomers & their Small Businesses

Baby boomers are getting to be retirement age. This means that a large number of small business owners are looking to retire and either sell their business or pass it on to their children. If you or someone you know is looking to buy, sell, or otherwise transfer their interests in a small business, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can help with what can often be a complex transaction.

Planned Giving

Supporters of your nonprofit organization may wish to include your charity, school, or church in their charitable giving or estate planning. They want to enhance their legacy by dedicating all or part of the proceeds of their wealth or estate to the organization with assurance that the funds will be used as directed in a pledge, Will, or trust. An organization that receives such donations often requires legal advice on how to document fulfillment of the instructions for use of the gift given.

Our firm provides advice on planned giving, an aspect of charitable giving or estate planning that requires careful attention. "Planned giving" refers to significant gifts of cash or property which are donated either through someone's Will (or trust) or during their lifetime.

If your nonprofit organization has questions about planned giving, or if you have questions about planned giving as part of your own estate plan, give us a call at 253.858.5434.

Estate Planning and Blended Families

Second marriages (or third marriages, in some cases) can present special estate planning challenges. You and your spouse may have children from previous relationships, as well as children together. You each may have property and other assets you've brought to the relationship. If you're like most people, you want to provide for your spouse's needs, while ensuring that your property (or much of it) ultimately will go to your children.

Providing for everyone you love can get tricky. You need an estate plan that fits you and your situation. Without one, you have no way of making sure that what you want to happen will actually happen. Relying on your spouse and kids to "work it out" is rarely a good plan.

We have experience in estate planning for blended families. If you, your family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors need legal advice in this area, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment.

Special Needs Trusts

A special needs trust, sometimes called a supplemental needs trust, is a legal vehicle enabling assets to be held on behalf of someone with disabilities without affecting their eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid or SSI. While assets held by the trust are not "countable" for the purpose of qualifying for such programs, there are strict regulations regarding disbursements. Special needs trusts are meant to supplement the funds and services available through government programs.

If you have a child or grandchild or even a parent with disabilities and have questions about special needs trusts, give us a call at 253.858.5434. We serve clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via Skype.

Veterans Day

Our office will be closed on Monday, November 11 in honor of Veterans Day. Everybody have a good and safe long weekend. And thank a vet.

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." - Joseph Campbell

Regular Estate Planning Reviews

Guess what we're spending the day doing? Every April 30th and October 31st, we review estate planning files so that we can alert our clients as to changes in state and/or federal laws which could affect them and indicate a need to update their estate plans. We recommend that our clients regularly examine their estate plans at least once every three or four years, and more often if major changes in family size, relationships, or assets should occur.

If you would like a copy of our estate planning review checklist or have questions or concerns about your estate planning needs, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can be of service.

Internal Band Agreements

The Beatles. The Beach Boys. The Platters. Sister Sledge. Pink Floyd. The Eagles. When these bands broke up or members left, they became embroiled in litigation. While an internal band agreement isn’t a cure-all, sitting down with your bandmates and agreeing on how the band will resolve certain issues before those issues arise may reduce conflict and confusion down the road.

Topics covered by a very basic internal band agreement should include the band name (Who owns it? Who can use it? What happens to the name and logo if we break up?), handling money (Who handles income and debts? Who pays for what?), the acquisition of equipment and other assets (Who pays for it? How is it stored and transported? Do we need insurance, and who pays for it? How do we decide on artwork and merch?), general business decisions (Majority vote? Dispute resolution?), creative decisions (Who owns the songs? Who owns master recordings? Who decides what songs we record and what gigs we take?), and relationship matters (Can we fire a band member? Can we add new members? What responsibilities does each member have? Should we form a legal entity, like a corporation or an LLC?).

If you have questions about creating an internal agreement for your band, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment.

"Estate Planning for Artists and the Attorneys Who Represent Them"

Washington Lawyers for the Arts is sponsoring a workshop in Seattle on Nov. 6 called "Estate Planning for Artists and the Attorneys Who Represent Them." The workshop will cover basic estate planning documents, with emphasis on considerations specific to artists' intellectual property, primarily copyrights. If you're an artist, author, musician, songwriter, or an attorney who represents them, and you're interested in attending, give us a call at 253.858.5434 for information on how to register.

The Purpose of a Will

The general purpose of a Will is to designate a guardian for minor children, provide for the distribution of assets, reduce the impact of estate taxes, ensure continued property management for the surviving family members, provide for charities, and otherwise dispose of the deceased’s property in any other manner indicated in the Will.

If you, your family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors have questions about making a Will, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment. We proudly serve clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, on the phone, or via Skype.

Yay for the First Amendment!

On this date in 1635, Roger Williams was banished from the Massachusetts colony for preaching that government had no right to interfere in religious affairs. (So scandalous!) Williams left Massachusetts and founded the Rhode Island colony, which became a haven for other religious dissidents and a place known for religious freedom.

We're big fans of the First Amendment around here. So let's hear it for the separation of church and state!

Contracts & Leases

Do you have a contract or lease to sign? Are you looking to buy or sell a small business? Are you concerned about the fine print? A well-drafted contract, lease, or buy-sell agreement can secure important rights for you, and an overlooked provision can leave you exposed to liability. Because of their importance to your business, you should have these agreements reviewed by an attorney who knows how to protect your interests.

An experienced attorney will not only be able to explain to you what your rights and obligations are under each agreement, but will also negotiate with the other party if a contract or lease presents obstacles or threatens your key interests. Ensuring that you have a favorable agreement from the beginning can help you avoid future disputes and keep your business running smoothly. At our firm, we can guide you through your important business contracts and leases and help you ensure they are consistent with your objectives.

Call us today at 253.858.5434 to schedule an appointment. We are proud to serve clients throughout Washington and Idaho.

Boise Meeting on October 18th

Idaho clients and potential clients - I will be in Boise October 18-20 and am available to meet on Friday the 18th. Give us a call at 253.858.5434 if you'd like to set up an appointment while I'm in town.

We represent nonprofit organizations and churches at all stages of their development.

From the forming of a nonprofit organization to obtaining tax-exempt status from the IRS, to complying with federal and state laws governing fund-raising and operations, the advice of experienced legal counsel is crucial at every stage of a nonprofit organization's development.

Leaders of the nonprofit organization are focused on developing its mission and resources. Guidance from legal counsel w...ith knowledge of federal and state laws applicable to nonprofit organizations enables leaders to grow the organization with the assurance that legal requirements are being met.We

We have been representing and advising nonprofit organizations for nearly 17 years. Unlike many large law firms, we do not assign a team of junior attorneys to "learn on the job" while working on your matter. We have the experience, skills, and resources to provide the answer you need, when you need it. We do not have to "reinvent the wheel."

If you are forming or work for a nonprofit organization and need legal services, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see if we help.