Estate planning is way too complex for fill-in-the-blank cooker cutter online forms. Your family deserves more attention, advice, and guidance than that.

Just saw the following banner ad on some random website: "$39 WILL & GUARDIANSHIP. Why pay a lawyer thousands? Take 5 minutes to answer these questions and recieve your Will & Guardianship."

First of all, "recieve"? Secondly, "thousands"? Apparently we've been undercharging for our services. Thirdly, our clients' personal and financial lives are too complex to be fully addressed with fill-in-the-blank online forms. Estate planning isn't just about filling out forms. It's about advice and guidance. It's about knowledge and experience. It's about an educated understanding of your state's statutes and judicial decisions that make up the law of Wills, Trusts, and Guardianships. There's no cookie cutter, "one-size-fits-all" estate plan that fits every family and their unique circumstances.

We have been representing and advising estate planning clients since 1996. If we can be of service to you, your friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment.

Helping Our Small Business Clients Collect Delinquent Accounts and Contracts

Running your own business can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. You had a concept, you have the passion, you found the investors, and off you went, building your business brick-by-brick. Your small business may be thriving, but what happens when your loyal customers fail to pay you on time, or at all? While consumer protection laws help shield debtors from harassment and unscrupulous behavior from creditors, your small business isn’t without recourse, assuming you follow the law and procedures put in place. You ultimately may end up having to go to court, and will need a lawyer in the process.

Before you call your lawyer, you should first take all reasonable (and legal) steps to collect from your customer or on your contract with another business. If you’ve completed the work or delivered the product, sent the invoice, and have received no response, don’t panic. Use a measured approach to collect on the account. Start by sending a debt collection letter, reminding the customer or account-holder of their missed payments and providing an opportunity to correct the situation. You can send an initial letter, a follow-up letter, and a final demand letter before escalating further.

Whether or not you hire a collection agency will ultimately depend on your specific situation. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to using a debt collection agency, be sure the agency is licensed and bonded and operates in compliance with the U.S. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Remember, there are many consumer protections in place that stop debt collection agencies from harassing or abusing debtors. Be sure you are aware of these protections or you may be in violation of the law.

A lawyer can help you in a number of ways. First, you can receive personalized help with your situation. A lawyer will be able to explain the proper procedures and help you draft a well-crafted debt collection demand letter or offer other solutions to your issue. This may include visiting the customer personally or filing for a mechanic’s lien or materialmen's lien in certain limited situations. A lawyer may also be able to advise you on whether to use a collection agency or seek a court-based remedy to ultimately collect on the debt, i.e. filing a lawsuit and hopefully receiving a judgment in your favor. A lawyer can also guide you through the process of collecting on your judgment.

If you're a small business owner and need help collecting delinquent accounts, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can help.

Understanding the Probate Process

A lot of people don't understand what probate is. You'd be surprised how many times we've fielded questions like, "But my dad left a Will, why does it have to go through probate?" Probate is the process where a person's Will is proved to be valid and authentic, an executor is appointed, the estate is valued, beneficiaries are determined, debts are paid, and the estate is transferred to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the Will.

Some assets can bypass probate, meaning that probate is not required for the transfer of these assets to beneficiaries. Pension plans, life insurance proceeds, 401k plans, health or medical savings accounts, and IRAs that have designated beneficiaries will not need to be probated. Likewise, assets jointly owned with a right of survivorship and property held in a Trust are likely to bypass the probate process.

If you have questions about Wills or the probate process, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can be of service. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via Skype or FaceTime.

Durable Powers of Attorney are an important part of any basic estate plan.

Durable Powers of Attorney are an important part of a basic estate plan. Signing a Power of Attorney gives someone you trust the authority to manage your property and financial affairs and/or make health care decisions for you if you become incapacitated and unable to manage these things yourself either because of age, illness, or injury. The alternative to having a Power of Attorney for an incapacitated adult is to get a guardian appointed, which involves lawyers, the Court, reports, annual accountings, lots of time, tons of expenses, etc., and nobody wants that.

If you have questions about incorporating a Durable Power of Attorney into your general estate plan, 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 Skype or FaceTime.

When you're injured because of another person's negligence, you have a right to be compensated for your losses.

When you're injured because of another person’s negligence, you have a legal right to be compensated for your losses. The other party (or their insurance company) may not see things the same way. This difference of opinion could result in a settlement offer that is unacceptable. This will start the negotiation process. It could be resolved quickly or take a long time. In extreme cases, it could result in the court system determining the settlement.

Even when you have a valid personal injury claim, it is best you get as much medical attention as necessary prior to thinking about your settlement. A doctor will determine an appropriate treatment plan for the injuries sustained. It is important for your lawyer to have as much information as possible concerning your current as well as future medical needs. After a doctor has determined the cause, seriousness, as well as duration of the injuries, your lawyer will be able to start the process of working toward obtaining a fair settlement.

Your lawyer will know how to use the strengths of a claim to your advantage during the settlement negotiation process. Your lawyer will know the case much better than the insurance adjuster. The lawyer should know how the collision impacted their client’s life. Things such as the other driver’s direct violation of a traffic law causing the accident is a benefit. The other driver being intoxicated, distracted, or having a history of moving violations all make a case stronger. They will know how to tell an insurance adjuster their offer of compensation for damages is low. Your lawyer can provide details explaining the reasons. Knowing the strength of a claim is essential for a lawyer to obtain the best possible settlement.

There are no guarantees when it comes to getting an insurance settlement. It often comes down to being professional and respectful. An insurance adjuster may not show a lot of respect for people who try to negotiate their own settlement. These people won’t have experience and may not understand the laws or the process. An insurance adjuster may be able to easily overwhelm someone with no experience. An experienced lawyer will know the approach insurance adjusters take on a claim. If an insurance adjuster tries to state certain things are required by law, your lawyer will know if they’re telling the truth. Your lawyer will know the process and importance of being aware of all the details concerning a case. They will know how to use this to obtain a fair settlement.

If you or a friend or family member have been injured in an auto collision and need legal advice, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can help.

Hiring a lawyer experienced with nonprofit organizations can help you lay the proper foundation so your nonprofit can flourish.

Unlike for-profit companies, nonprofit organizations have their own specialized forms and requirements to fulfill. A lawyer experienced with nonprofit organizations can help you lay the proper foundation so that your organization can flourish.

Your lawyer can advise you on the right form of entity for your organization, depending on the activities and goals you plan to achieve. For instance, your charitable organization may be able to gain a tax-exempt status if you meet conditions set forth in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and maintain specific documents. A political organization, private foundation, or religious organization has different legal and tax obligations.

With the right lawyer, you can also get advice about the management for your nonprofit - such as how to form a board of directors, how to appoint officers, and whether you can form an affiliation.

An experienced lawyer can advise you what types of legal forms and documentation you need to maintain your nonprofit status and aid the education of directors, personnel, and other stakeholders so you can run your organization diligently.

We have been representing nonprofit organizations for over 22 years. If you have questions about how we can be of service to your nonprofit, 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 Skype or FaceTime.

Working with a probate lawyer.

Luckily, most people don’t need to hire a lawyer very many times in their lives. And even if you’ve hired a lawyer for a business matter, real estate transaction, or a divorce, working with a lawyer on a probate matter is likely to be a different kind of experience. Some things are the same whenever you hire a lawyer, though. To fully understand what’s going on, you will need to ask a lot of questions. To keep costs down, you can take on some of the routine work yourself.

WHO DOES WHAT? When you’re winding up an estate, there’s usually a lot of legwork to be done—things like making phone calls and gathering documents. Many of these tasks don’t need to be done by a lawyer. So if you’re paying your lawyer hourly, you’ll probably want to volunteer to take on some of this work yourself. Just make sure it’s clear who is responsible for what tasks, so things don’t fall between the cracks. For example, make sure you know who is going to: (1) order death certificates, (2) get appraisals of valuable property, and (3) file the deceased person’s final income tax return.

Many lawyers are more flexible than they used to be about offering what’s called "limited representation" or "unbundled legal services." In other words, many lawyers no longer insist on taking responsibility for all the work of a probate case. They will agree to provide limited services—for example, answering your questions during the probate process—while you take on other tasks traditionally done by the lawyer, such as drawing up the probate court papers. Especially if your local court provides fill-in-the-blanks probate forms, this kind of arrangement may be good for you. Be sure to get your agreement in writing, so both you and the lawyer are clear on your responsibilities.

IMPORTANT DATES. It’s a good idea to ask the lawyer for a list of deadlines—for example, when is the cutoff for creditors to submit claims, and when will the final probate hearing be held, if there needs to be one? This will be helpful both if there are things you need to do, and if creditors or beneficiaries contact you with questions.

DEALING WITH BENEFICIARIES AND CREDITORS. If everyone gets along, it probably makes sense for you, not the lawyer, to field questions from beneficiaries. It will save money, and you’ll know what beneficiaries are concerned about. If you send regular letters or emails to beneficiaries to keep them up to date (this usually helps keep them from stressing), you might ask the lawyer to review your communications before you send them, to make sure you’ve got everything right.

GETTING LEGAL ADVICE AS YOU GO ALONG. Check in with your lawyer regularly to see if anything is happening with the probate case. Usually, no news is good news. State law requires you to keep the probate case open for months, to give people time to come forward with disputes or claims—but in most probates, beneficiaries don’t argue about anything in court, and few creditors submit formal claims.

By all means, ask the lawyer any questions you have about the proceeding. But if the lawyer is charging by the hour, try to be efficient when you communicate. If you can, save up a few questions and ask them during one phone call or visit to the lawyer. But if you are unsure about taking a particular action that will affect the estate—for example, you want to give one needy beneficiary his inheritance months before the probate case will close—get legal advice before you act.

We have been handling probate cases for over 22 years. If we can be of service to you, your family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers, 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 Skype or FaceTime.

Why is estate planning different for you if you're an artist, author, musician, or songwriter?

Why is estate planning different for you if you're an artist, author, musician, or songwriter?

* Your Personal Representative needs expert advice on what to do with your body of work.
* You need to prevent really awful squabbles about your work. (It happens!)
* You need to say whether your work should be sold, given to beneficiaries and/or charities, or destroyed.
* Your beneficiaries need to know about which works might produce ongoing income (for example, artwork that is licensed or could be licensed).
* All of your work needs to be cataloged - and that catalog kept up to date.
* You need to think about which taxable schemes your estate might address/adopt.
* Your specific works and the publishing rights to those works are two separate assets and need to be addressed as such.

If you have estate planning questions, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today. We proudly represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via Skype or FaceTime.

While your personal injury case is in progress, it's important that you do your part and keep your lawyer fully informed.

While your personal injury case is in progress, it's hugely important that you do your part and keep your lawyer fully informed. Here are some tips:

FORWARD ALL BILLS related to your injury or the collision.

NOTIFY YOUR LAWYER OF CHANGES IN YOUR ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER, even if it's temporary. We may need to reach you quickly.

INFORM YOUR LAWYER IMMEDIATELY OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

* Your condition worsens.
* You have reached "maximum medical improvement" and your doctor releases you from treatment.
* You have another collision, injury, complication, or illness.
* You change doctors or are referred by your doctor to a specialist.
* Any other circumstance occurs that you think will affect your injury claim.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY AND POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA. Don't talk about your case with anyone except your lawyer and your doctor.

FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR'S INSTRUCTIONS. This is extremely important!

TAKE PICTURES of all of your injuries, including during the healing process.

If you've been injured in an auto collision and need legal advice, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can help.

We help small businesses and start-ups by helping their owners and entrepreneurs get through the legal process of starting a business.

We aim to help small business owners and start-up companies. We do so by helping owners and entrepreneurs quickly and easily get through the legal process of starting a business. When you hire us, you receive a consultation at our office followed by a discussion of a flat-rate fee package tailored to your individual business goals.

Further, after some initial fact gathering, we will discuss your individual business needs and a plan to go forward. Some options we include in our flat-rate fee structure include:

* Discussion about which entity will best fit your business goals and tax situation.
* Filing Articles of Incorporation or a Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State.
* Filing state and city business licenses.
* Drafting your business's governing documents (bylaws, operating agreements, buy/sell agreements, etc.)
* Plans for capitalization of your new business.

If you're looking to start up a new business and need some legal advice, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can help.

Settling debts and distributing assets after someone has passed away? We can help.

You can't take it with you. That's what they say. But a lawyer experienced in probate matters can help surviving family members settle your debts and distribute your assets after you're gone, with or without a Will. Generally speaking, probate lawyers help the Personal Representative ("PR") of the estate manage the probate process. They also may help with estate planning, such as the drafting of Wills or Trusts; advise on powers of attorney; or even serve as a PR.

Of course, the process will likely go smoother when the decedent has left a Will prior to his or her death. If an individual dies with a Will, a lawyer may be hired to advise parties such as the PR or a beneficiary on various legal matters. For instance, a lawyer may review the Will to ensure it wasn't signed or written under duress (or against the best interests of the individual). Elderly people with dementia, for example, may be vulnerable to undue influence by individuals who want a cut of the estate.

There are numerous reasons that Wills may be challenged, although most Wills go through probate without a problem. Additionally, a lawyer may be responsible for performing any of the following tasks when advising a PR:

* Collecting and managing life insurance proceeds;
* Getting the decedent's property appraised;
* Finding and securing all of the decedent's assets;
* Advising on how to pay the decedent's bills and settle debts;
* Preparing/filing documents as required by the court;
* Managing the estate's checkbook; and
* Determining whether any estate taxes are owed.

If you die without having written and signed a Will, you are said to have died "intestate." When this happens, your estate is distributed according to the intestacy laws of the state where the property is, regardless of your wishes. For instance, the surviving spouse receives all of your intestate property under many states' intestate laws. However, intestacy laws vary widely from state to state.

In these situations, a lawyer may be hired to assist the PR and the assets will be distributed according to state law. A lawyer may help with some of the tasks listed above but is bound by state intestacy laws, regardless of the decedent's wishes or the family members' needs.

A relative who wants to be the estate's PR must first secure what are called "renunciations" or "declinations" from the decedent's other relatives. A renunciation or declination is a legal statement renouncing one's right or declining to administer the estate. A lawyer can help secure and file these statements with the court, and then assist the PR with the probate process (managing the estate checkbook, determining estate taxes, securing assets, etc.).

If you have been named Executor or Personal Representative of someone's estate and need legal advice about your duties and responsibilities, give us a call at 253.858.5434. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via Skype or FaceTime.

Estate planning for blended families can be extra tricky. We can help.

Chances are, you or someone you know is part of a blended family. Fully 42% of adults in the U.S. now have some kind of step-relationship, according to Pew Research. That’s over 95 million people.

For the millions of divorced, widowed, and remarried Americans out there, estate planning is extra tricky. In a blended family situation, there are more opportunities to get it wrong, and the stakes—ensuring your current spouse is taken care of or that your children and stepchildren are treated according to your wishes—are often higher.

Additionally, spouses—current, former, or both—may not see eye-to-eye on key decisions. Who takes care of the kids if one parent dies? Which assets belong to which spouse? Working through these details can not only avoid future estate planning hassles but also help maintain healthy relationships between all parties involved.

To get started, work through these questions:

* What do you want to happen when you die?
* Who do you want to make decisions for you, if you can’t make them for yourself?
* Who will provide for your kids?
* Who will take over as guardian for any minor children when you die? Do the kids get a say?
* What are you going to do for your surviving spouse? How do you want to provide for them? Do you want to give them broad decision-making authority or would you rather limit it?
* Do you and your present and/or former spouse have shared objectives?
* Will you need two separate lawyers to handle your plans?
* How open are you willing to be in the planning conversation with a past and/or present spouse and a lawyer?
* Do you live in a community property state?

When you sit down to think about these matters, keep in mind any wealth or age disparities between yourself and any future or former spouses. If remarrying, do you need a prenuptial agreement? If there’s a big age difference, who’s more likely to die first?

Once you’ve decided what you’d like to see happen, it’s important to work with a lawyer to formalize and structure your plans. Free online services are not sophisticated enough to deal with the complexities of blended family estate planning, Additionally, it’s important to work with an experienced estate planning lawyer who has worked with blended families before.

A good, foundational estate plan can be costly, but it’s a bargain when you consider the benefits. Planning not only gives you peace of mind about what will happen to your assets when you’re gone but also allows you to preserve the peace with loved ones now.

If we can be of service to you and your family, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.

We have a long history of representing auto collision injury victims and their survivors.

We have a long history of representing auto collision injury victims and their survivors. We zealously advocate on our clients' behalf as we gather evidence, analyze liability and damages, and negotiate with the insurance company for them. If you, a friend, family member, neighbor, or co-worker have been injured in a car crash, we can help. Give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment for a free initial consultation today.

Hiring a Lawyer When You Start a New Business

When people decide to start a new business, they usually have a great idea and some money to invest in the enterprise. Some people opt to start the business by themselves or with family members, while others have partners or other investors who will not be involved with the day-to-day affairs of the business.

The laws that apply to start-up businesses differ based on the specifics of the situation, and even business people who decide to go it alone have options to protect themselves from personal liability for business debts and obligations. For this and other important reasons, you most likely will need a lawyer for your startup.

CONTRACTS. Most businesses execute contracts for space, services, and supplies. Businesses often have agreements between partners, investors, and employees. It is important to get it right so you don't end up in court.

REGISTERING, LICENSING, AND PERMITS. Some business entities are required to register with the state in order to be recognized. Even businesses that are not required to register may be required to obtain licenses or permits.

FORM OF BUSINESS. The choice of business form (i.e. sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation) often dictates the legal responsibilities and potential liability of those involved in leading the business, as well as the manner in which it may operate. For example, choosing the wrong entity may make you personally liable for the wrongs of employees or partners.

MULTI-STATE BUSINESS. The preconditions to forming and conducting a business entity in one state may not be accepted in another state. If you are not careful, the protections you have in your home state of operations may be lost if you do business in another state.

CAPITAL. Businesses need to raise money, keep records of income and distributions, and behave in a fiscally responsible manner. Different business entities may require different procedures for raising capital and making distributions.

VARIETY OF ENTITIES. Although there are essentially five basic business entities, there are other options within these entities that determine things like double taxation and liability for the acts of partners.

AUTONOMY. With many business entities, the things you don't decide are decided for you. Most states have adopted uniform laws that fill in the gaps for business entities where their charters, bylaws, and other organizing documents are silent. You may be subject to a whole set of laws and regulations that you don't even know exist.

TAXES. Different business forms provide different tax advantages and disadvantages. The only thing more crucial to a new business is liability.

LIABILITY. Different business forms provide different protections and risks to the business owners/investors. Personal liability means that your business puts everything you own at risk. A lawyer can help you avoid this situation or minimize your risk. Knowing about your personal liability, and reducing the risk that your business may devastate the economic well-being of you and your family, is well worth a visit to an experienced lawyer.

In most cases, you're going to need the services of a lawyer for your startup, perhaps for tax services or employment law compliance. Whatever the reason, make sure you contact the right lawyer for your needs. You can get in touch with us to discuss your needs and to learn how to set up a business that maximizes profits and minimizes liabilities. Give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can be of service. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via Skype or FaceTime.

It can be overwhelming to administer a Trust, but we can help.

It can be overwhelming to administer a Trust, but we can help. If you have been named the Trustee of a Trust, you have a long road ahead of you. Even if everything in a Trust is spelled out in the clearest possible terms, every Trust is different. These differences can determine exactly how much work will be involved, in addition to the long list of activities that are typically a part of trust administration:

* Obtaining legal documents and records necessary to administer the Trust and certify the validity of the Trust when dealing with third parties.
* Collecting monies owed to the Trust.
* Maintaining an inventory of Trust property.
* Consulting financial, tax, and legal advisors regarding proper administration of the Trust.
* Paying debts and expenses of the Trust.
* Managing Trust assets and investments.
* Obtaining appraisals or valuations of Trust assets.
* Selling Trust property.
* Keeping accurate records of Trust income and expenditures.
* Filing tax returns.
* Providing information to Trust beneficiaries if required by the Trust.
* Distributing Trust income and property to beneficiaries.
* Executing documents to transfer title to Trust property to beneficiaries.

Give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can help with any of these Trustee duties. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via Skype or FaceTime.

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