Representing family-owned businesses means providing legal advice that furthers company objectives while also accomodating family estate planning goals.

We represent numerous family-owned businesses. We recognize the need to provide legal advice that furthers the strategic objectives of the company while simultaneously accommodating the personnel, familial, and estate planning goals of the company's owners. Our toolkit includes the tools of the business organizational advisor (deep familiarity with the alternative legal frameworks for organizing an enterprise, including corporations and limited liability companies) and of the estate planner (knowledge of the means by which ownership and management succession can be effected, which includes trust law and may include mergers and acquisitions, and the tax consequences of each succession alternative).

The key challenge in representing a family business law is to structure an environment in which family goals and interests and the company's goals are mutually reinforcing. This requires empathy and creativity, particularly the ability to translate essentially non-legal concepts such as stewardship into legal script, all in a tax-efficient manner.

If you are part of a family-owned business and need legal representation, 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.

Probate, Trust, and Estate Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution

When we meet with estate planning clients, you'd be amazed how many times we hear something like, "Oh, no, my children get along so well. They won't fight when I'm gone, they'll all be on the same page and will all agree on everything." We just smile and nod and say, "Well, I hope you're right, that would fantastic. But just in case, let's do this..."

Death and money, y'know? It's a stressful and emotional time. Family relationships can get strained after the death of a loved one and family tensions can reach a boiling point during the estate distribution. All of this can lead to probate litigation and the need for dispute resolution. We understand that in certain cases, litigation is the only method of resolution and we will not hesitate to advocate strongly on our clients' behalves in court.

For many reasons, probate, trust, and estate litigation can be complex. We will prepare you by advising you on pre-litigation strategies, analyzing potential risk, as well as reviewing documents. We then apply creative problem solving to secure a favorable resolution for you.

Probate, trust, and estate litigation can include disputes regarding contested Wills, improper disbursement of estates, issues regarding the personal representative or trustee, Trust litigation, and claims against fiduciaries.

However, we are also strong proponents of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and legal solutions that include mediation. Whenever possible, we encourage our clients to amicably and respectfully resolve their estate disputes. The Washington Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA) allows for resolution of disputes regarding trusts and estates through out-of-court processes such as mediation, arbitration, and agreement. We have significant experience representing heirs and beneficiaries as well as defending estates in TEDRA actions. Call us at 253.858.5434 today to see how we can help you.

Each person and each family's estate planning needs are individualized, unique, and equally important - regardless of the size of the estate.

Since 1996, we have assisted hundreds of clients to develop estate plans specific to their goals. We understand that each person’s and each family's needs are individualized, unique, and equally as important – regardless of estate size.

That's why we take the time to truly understand each of our client’s goals and wishes. We understand this may be emotionally difficult, overwhelming, and scary. The good news is that meeting with a lawyer is the first step in achieving peace of mind for you and your family. You may be surprised that the process is not so scary after all.

Planning your estate is much more than just protecting assets. We work with you to create a comprehensive plan to distribute your estate upon your death, as well as documents that set forth your wishes in the event that you are incapacitated. Whether drafting health care directives, simple Wills, or complex Trust documents, we pledge to work with you closely to craft a suitable plan.

Every estate – whether large, small, simple, or highly complex – needs a plan. Establishing a solid plan before bad things happen may substantially reduce the financial and legal burdens your loved ones face at a time when you are not there to help.

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 and provide legal advice to clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via Skype or FaceTime.

When you get hurt in a car crash that wasn't your fault, hire a lawyer sooner rather than later.

When you get hurt in an auto collision that wasn't your fault, hire a lawyer sooner rather than later. We can help guide you through the insurance claims process. We'll gather evidence and analyze your claim for damages, e.g., medical bills, wage loss, out-of-pocket expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, etc. We'll negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and get you a settlement that is fair and just.

If you, a friend, family member, neighbor, or co-worker needs a personal injury lawyer, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment.

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.