With all the trouble the coronavirus crisis is causing families and our overall well-being, now could be a good time to review your estate planning needs.

Coronavirus has proven to be a major threat to our overall well-being. And with all the trouble it’s caused to families, now could be a good time to review your estate planning needs. It’s something that many people may be overlooking, either accidentally or on purpose, as this economic and health crisis plays out. Nevertheless, knowing that your assets are going where you intend them can bring you peace of mind amid the chaos.

One of the most fundamental choices you can make as you’re thinking about how to pass your assets on to heirs is whether you hold assets in a Revocable Living Trust or more simply give them via a Will. Both approaches have advantages, though Trusts can provide some additional benefits.

REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST vs. WILL: HOW TO CHOOSE IN THE CORONAVIRUS ERA.

1. A Will can be set up faster and cheaper.

A Will can be set up faster than a trust, making a difference in urgent circumstances, whereas with a Living Trust, you still need to take care of the funding aspect, which requires you to retitle any assets that you want protected by the Trust. It may be impossible or at least very difficult to retitle your financial accounts during the pandemic, especially if you have to go to banks or other institutions in person. And if you can’t move the assets to the trust, you’ve lost all its benefit. Without the proper titling of assets, you still have to go through probate and you just spent all that money and time creating the Trust.

However, one downside is that Wills have to be signed and witnessed in person, although some states have temporarily allowed video conferencing to comply with social distancing and limit the spread of the coronavirus.

2. A Trust is better for an incapacitated person.

A Living Trust offers a key benefit if someone becomes incapacitated due to illness. To that end, Trusts are usually accompanied by two other legal documents: a medical advance directive and a durable power of attorney. These documents allow people to make medical decisions on your behalf and manage your finances if you become incapacitated.

If you were to become disabled by a complication due to COVID-19, a Revocable Trust could be advantageous over a Will. Your successor trustee can step in and handle your assets while you’re alive but unable to do so, and this isn’t an option with a Will.

3. Trusts may be better with backed-up courts.

With coronavirus stifling the court system, and therefore probate, the process of settling a Will could take much longer than it already requires. So a Trust may be a better solution because it allows you to avoid probate.

BOTTOM LINE. While it can be easy to put off issues such as estate planning because of the sensitive emotional issues involved, not to mention the family drama that can be stirred up, it’s imperative that you have a plan in place, especially given the sudden effects of the coronavirus. Always remember that someone has to have the mental capacity to create many legal documents, and waiting too long can be problematic. And given the complex nature of estate planning, you need a lawyer for all but the simplest operations if you want to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. It might be expensive, but remember, with an estate plan, you can buy expensive and cry once or buy cheap and cry forever. Isn’t that often true with many things in life?

Give us a call at 253.858.5434 to talk about your and your family's estate planning needs.

My loved one recently passed away. What do I do if I received a stimulus payment for my deceased loved one?

The U.S. Treasury Department is using 2018 and 2019 tax returns to determine who gets stimulus payments. This method of determining who should receive stimulus checks has resulted in some payments going to taxpayers that are deceased. If you have received a stimulus check this week for a deceased person, you are going to be required to return the money. The IRS has not yet issued guidance regarding how heirs should pay these funds back or how they intend to collect. This may be done by reversing a direct deposit or by mailing a new letter requesting the funds back. We will be closely following IRS guidance for any updates on this situation.

The Washington State Supreme Court's Most Recent Order on Courthouse Operations

On April 29, the Washington State Supreme Court issued a new Order extending its previous Orders regarding court operations. All civil trials are suspended until at least July 6. Non-emergency civil matters *may* be continued to after June 1, at the trial judge’s discretion, but courts *should* begin to hear non-emergency civil matters as long as hearings can appropriately be conducted by phone, video, or other remote means. Courts shall continue to prioritize and hear emergency civil matters that can be heard by phone, video, or other remote means, or in person with *strict observance* of social distancing and other public health measures. There is still no official guidance on the definition of “emergency,” and we still presume that the rules for civil matters (as opposed to criminal or juvenile offender matters) also apply to trust, estate, probate, guardianship, TEDRA, and family law matters.

I was recently injured in an auto collision. How can the current coronavirus crisis affect my personal injury claim?

While the coronavirus surges through the U.S., many people will continue to suffer injuries in auto collisions. An injured victim still can bring a personal injury claim to pursue compensation for their injuries during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, you may want to be aware of certain issues that may affect your claim.

One of these issues involves the court system, which has been largely shut down until the crisis ends. A personal injury case thus may not be resolved as efficiently as it would be under normal conditions. Almost all personal injury cases settle before going to trial, but many cases proceed through at least one hearing in a court before the parties reach a settlement. Therefore, some injured people may face delays in getting their case resolved.

The financial stress caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may motivate many personal injury claimants to settle a case as soon as possible. A victim may urgently need the money from their settlement, especially if they have lost their job. In our recent experience, some insurance companies are exploiting this situation by offering an unfairly low settlement. A victim who has suffered serious injuries should think twice before accepting the first offer from an insurance company, as it likely will not cover the full scope of their losses.

If a lawsuit is started, a victim also may expect stiffer resistance than usual from an insurance company. Since the insurance industry expects profits to decline as the economy struggles, an insurance company will be motivated to minimize the value of a claim and protect their bottom line more aggressively than ever. This could mean that more personal injury cases go to trial, or proceed further through litigation.

In some cases, collecting an award from a defendant may be more challenging than usual. Many businesses are suffering from economic pressure during the outbreak, and a business that is not insured may not be able to pay. If the defendant files for bankruptcy, an injury victim will need to wait a long time to collect their settlement or judgment award, and they may never receive the full amount.

To maximize a compensation award in a personal injury case, a claimant needs to receive medical treatment as recommended by their health care providers. This is because medical documentation is critical to proving the extent of a claimant's injuries and expenses. During the COVID-19 outbreak, many people will feel reluctant to visit a doctor’s office for treatment, due to concerns about contracting the virus. These concerns are reasonable, but it is still true that getting treatment is important to the value of a claim. A victim should try to keep their medical appointments to the extent possible, while maintaining social distancing practices and following CDC recommendations.

Since health care facilities are currently saturated with COVID-19 patients, an injured person may need to wait longer than usual to receive treatment. This may mean that they should wait to file or settle their case. They will not know the full scope of their damages until they complete their treatment and reach maximum medical improvement.

Due to deepening economic hardship, some drivers may not keep up with paying their insurance premiums. This could result in the loss of coverage, which could complicate the situation of a victim after an auto collision. A victim who is struck by an uninsured or underinsured driver may not be able to recover compensation from the driver’s personal assets. Their only option may involve pursuing benefits through their own UIM policy with their insurer. In these cases, a victim should remember that their insurer is an adverse party and likely will not pay a claim without resistance. First-party claims may be just as contested as third-party claims, and the assistance of a lawyer will be just as critical.

If you, a friend, family member, neighbor, or co-worker have been injured in an auto collision and need legal advice, give us a call at 253.858.5434 for a free initial consultation today.

The CARES Act provides financial relief for nonprofit organizations and increased charitable giving incentives for individuals and corporations.

COVID-19 and the necessary public health measures to fight it are having a huge impact on the normal operations of nonprofit organizations in Washington, Idaho, and across the country. From shutting down operations to the sudden surge in needs for vulnerable communities, nonprofits were not able to effectively plan for these rapid changes. Supporting basic needs, like food and shelter, has become harder as necessary public health measures lead to business shut-downs, layoffs, reduced volunteer staff, and greater restrictions due to social distancing. Meanwhile, the need for these basic supports is rapidly increasing. Many nonprofits, including arts and culture venues and youth programs, are unable to operate at all under the stay-at-home orders.

Donors can make a positive difference by giving generously to the organizations and causes that matter to them. The CARES Act provides both financial relief for nonprofits and increased charitable giving incentives for individuals and corporations.

Charitable giving incentives include:

* A one-time, above-the-line deduction for cash charitable contributions of up to $300. The incentive applies to contributions made in 2020 and can be claimed on tax forms next year. However, the new deduction does not apply to noncash gifts or to gifts contributed to donor advised funds.

* A temporary increase of income limits for cash contributions by individual and corporate donors. Individual taxpayers who itemize their deductions can deduct up to 100% of their adjusted gross income (AGI) in cash contributions (raised from 60%). In addition, corporations can deduct up to 25% of taxable income (from 10%).

* Waivers for 2020 required minimum distributions (RMDs). Under the new rule, in 2020 you don’t have to take a RMD, which could reduce your 2020 tax bill. Even though RMDs are waived, you can still use your IRA to get a tax break on giving to charity. If you normally give to charity, consider a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA. The funds are directly transferred from your IRA to a charity and excluded from income. However, only IRA owners and beneficiaries who are age 70 1/2 or older qualify for this.

If you have questions about how the CARES Act affects nonprofit organizations and your donations to them, give us a call at 253.858.5434.

More Information on Coronavirus Relief Legislation, Expansion of the CARES Act, and Paycheck Protection Program Loans

On April 23, Congress voted in another piece of legislation authorizing $484 billion of coranavirus relief and on the morning of the 24th, the President signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act. The Act expands on some programs that were initiated by the CARES Act, including further funding for small business loans under the Paycheck Protection Program, and authorizes new emergency funding for hospitals and research and testing to combat coronavirus. This brings total federal funding of coronavirus stimulus and relief efforts up to $2.8 trillion in seven weeks.

The centerpiece of the new legislation is an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for small businesses guaranteed by the SBA and administered by banks and other qualified lenders. The Act strikes out the original $349 billion, which was consumed in a matter of 13 days, and now authorizes $659 billion in PPP loans. Some experts expect this $310 billion allotment to be depleted even faster than the original loans were. Many banks have been preparing to submit loan applications on this "round" of funding for several days.

With an eye on underserved communities and borrowers, the Act sets aside $30 billion in SBA guaranteed PPP loans for lenders and credit unions with assets between $10 billion and $50 billion in assets. An additional $30 billion is set aside for community financial institutions, small insured depository institutions, and credit unions with assets of less than $10 billion.

The Act also authorizes an additional $10 billion for Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and grants. These resources are available to small businesses impacted by the pandemic and are administered directly by the SBA. The Act also makes agricultural enterprises with under 500 employees eligible for the EIDL loans and emergency grants.

If you're a small business owner and have questions about how this new law affects you, give us a call at 253.858.5434. We're here to help.

10 Things Everybody Should Know About Probate in Washington

Probate in Washington is a court-supervised procedure by which the ownership of property of a deceased person (the decedent) is determined. Probate takes place in Superior Courts of each county across the State. The purpose of probate proceedings is to permit the decedent’s Personal Representative (PR) to take possession, protect, and preserve the decedent’s property; pay all debts, claims and taxes necessary to settle the decedent’s affairs; and to distribute the decedent’s property to the rightfully entitled recipients. Typically a decedent has named who their PR will be in their Will and that person, usually with the assistance of a lawyer, can open a probate case and become officially named as the PR. Here is a list of 10 things everybody should know about probate in Washington:

(1) If the Decedent’s estate does not contain real estate and is worth less than $100,000, then the decedent's estate does not need to go through probate. If you still need to transfer assets, Washington allows the PR to complete a Small Estate Affidavit after 40 days have passed since the date of the decedents death. PRs can mail or deliver the affidavit to the holder of the property.

It is a good idea to consider filing and publishing a Non-probate notice to creditors which can shorten the statute of limitations on any claim from two years to four months. It's also a good idea to file an original Will with the Court after 30 days after receiving notice of the death, even if there is no probate case.

(2) The Washington State Dept. of Licensing has its own form for the transfer of vehicles when no probate has started.
It’s called an affidavit of inheritance/litigation and can be downloaded from the DOL's website.

(3) If the Decedent owned real estate, then a probate case must be filed in order to sell the real estate and obtain Letters Testamentary to transfer assets.

(4) It is helpful if the Decedent had a Will clearly naming a PR that allows for nonintervention powers. This allows a PR to liquidate and distribute assets according to the Will without other family members possibly challenging the choices of the PR.

(5) Documents that will be needed in order to start the probate process will be the filing of a Petition for Probate of Will, an Order for the court to sign, Oath of Personal Representative, a Notice to Creditors, and the original Will that includes at least two witnesses' signatures. Other documents may also be required depending on the circumstances.

(6) All potential heirs, beneficiaries, and devisees must appear in the verified petition of probate. Listing only the beneficiaries under the Will is not sufficient.

(7) If the Decedent was married, consider which assets are community property and which are separate.

(8) Proceeds from retirement or life insurance account with transfer on death provisions can be administered without having to go through probate. Also, consider filing a Transfer on Death Deed (TODD) for your home to avoid the probate process. A 2014 law now allows for this type of deed to be recorded. This deed can be filed anytime and can be revoked anytime prior to death. This would allow for the immediate liquidation or transfer of the home, without having to go through probate.

(9) Assets placed in a revocable trust will also avoid the probate process as they have already been transferred to the trust which name specific beneficiaries. There may be tax implications of transferring an asset so talk to your accountant before taking action.

(10) Estates that are worth $2.193 million will not be subject to Washington inheritance taxes and estates worth less than $11.58 million will not be subject to federal estate taxes.

If you live in Washington and are looking for a lawyer to assist with filing a new probate case, give us a call at 253.858.5434 or send an email to steve@aitalaw.com.

Estate planning can be complex even in the best of times. Here are some tips to follow.

Estate planning can be complex even when there is ample time to prepare for the worst, let alone during a fast-moving and deadly pandemic that has sparked panic in financial markets and across the global economy. However, there are a number of universal tips people can follow.

Everyone should have at least these three basics: a Will, a Durable Power of Attorney, and a medical directive of some sort. These documents will allow for the distribution of assets according to one’s wishes, the ability to make financial decisions on one’s behalf, and guidance for medical professionals on treatment and care. Because most courthouses are closed right now (except for some emergency and criminal matters), some probate avoidance techniques (like a Revocable Living Trust) might also be a bigger goal than usual so that the Court does not have to be involved in the distribution of assets upon someone's death.

Besides the basics, everyone should review their beneficiary designations on assets such as bank accounts, IRAs, life insurance, and annuities. Where family situations have changed, say either because of divorce or the birth of children or grandchildren, these designations often aren’t up to date.

Some individuals should also consider a Health Care Power of Attorney for their minor child, in which they can give a friend or family member the authority to take their child to a doctor and receive and make health-care decisions on their behalf if the parents become unable to.

Lately, some of our clients who are in their 70s and 80s have been calling primarily to ask if their documents are in order. Ideally these questions are asked before a pandemic or other emergency creates special urgency, but the important thing is to ensure any problems get squared away before the worst occurs.

Our younger clients have been more concerned about the economic impact of the coronavirus than any impact on their mortality. Many plan to leave assets to family members and if their net worth, including the value of their business, has dissipated in the downturn, that changes what they’re able to leave behind.

Some clients are also worried that the COVID-19 crisis will impact the election and laws surrounding estate planning. They’re now engaged in planning to make substantial gifts and they fear that the estate and gift tax exemptions may change depending on who's in office. (For 2020, the lifetime gift and estate tax exemption is $11.58 million per individual, and $23.16 million per couple.)

If you have questions about creating or updating your estate plan, give us a call at 253.858.5434. We proudly advise and represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho. Although we aren't currently scheduling in-person meetings, we are entirely available to meet via video conference by Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, or Facebook Messenger, whatever is most convenient for our clients.

If you were injured in a car crash, you may have a "MIST" case and not even know it.

You may have a "MIST" case and not even know it. What is a MIST case? It’s what insurance companies call auto collision claims involving connective tissue injuries, such as whiplash or sprains. MIST stands for "Minor Impact, Soft Tissue" insurance claims. These cases typically arise from collisions in which there is less than a few thousand dollars in property damage. And, more importantly, it’s the type of case the insurance company will often "red flag" to suggest they will offer you very little to settle your injury claim, despite the potential significance of your injuries.

Some lawyers hesitate to represent victims of MIST cases due to the inherent difficulty they present. You’ll also quickly learn that the insurance company will likely hardly budge, despite your pleas for fair compensation.

So what do you do? Your first step should be to contact a lawyer who has experience with these types of cases. The insurance company spends an exorbitant amount of money investigating, defending, and denying these types of claims, and by not consulting with a lawyer, you’ll likely be left very frustrated.

Just because your injuries don't involve broken bones or surgeries, it is not an indication of a low-value case. While they may be considered less severe than other injuries, connective tissue injuries can still result in long-term and expensive courses of treatment and rehabilitation. Some common connective tissue injuries resulting from auto collisions include:

SPRAINS. A sprain is a stretch or a tear of a ligament in a joint such as a knee or wrist. Sprains can be painful and require extensive physical therapy for recovery.
STRAINS. A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, often occurring in the back during an auto collision. Severe strains can require physical therapy and even surgery to repair torn tissue.
CONTUSIONS. Contusions are caused by a blow, such as contact with a steering wheel or dashboard in a car crash. Muscle fibers and connective tissue under the skin are crushed and could be permanently damaged without swift medical treatment.
"WHIPLASH." Known medically as a cervical strain or sprain, "whiplash" is a common auto collision connective tissue injury. Caused by the violent jerking of your neck back and forth, treatment is needed to prevent chronic pain in the back and neck. Victims also need to be evaluated for a possible coup contrecoup brain injury.

Any of these injuries could result in a permanent impairment loss of full function, which means that victims cannot perform their work duties, resulting in lost wages or even the loss of employment. MIST cases also emphasize the importance of prompt and thorough medical attention. No matter how you were injured, seek treatment for your injuries immediately. Often, the full extent of a person's injuries are not clear until days, weeks, or even months after the incident.

Whether you've suffered major injuries, such as broken bones, or simple back and neck pain as a result of a whiplash-type injury, you deserve to have your case evaluated by an experienced lawyer. Contact our office at 253.858.5434 for a free consultation. Although we are not currently scheduling in-person conferences, we are entirely available to meet by phone or video conference via Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, or Facebook Messenger.

Thank you for your patience as we try to get probate and estate matters moving along during this time of limited courthouse operations.

If you are the Personal Representative of a loved one's estate and are trying to get estate administration stuff done during this COVID-19 crisis, please note this: On March 18, the Washington State Supreme Court ordered all courthouses in the State closed except for emergency domestic violence matters and in-custody criminal and juvenile offender matters; all non-emergency civil matters are continued and all emergency civil matters must be heard by telephone or video conference. On April 13, Chief Justice Stephens extended this Order to May 4. The Order does not specifically mention probate, estate, guardianship, or TEDRA matters, but presumably the same rules for emergency and non-emergency civil matters apply. We thank you for your patience as we try to get estate matters moving along during this time of limited courthouse operations. If you have any questions about your estate matter, feel free to give us a call at 253.858.5434.

Washington has an official COVID-19 website for businesses and workers: www.coronavirus.wa.gov.

Washington has an official COVID-19 website for businesses and workers, maintained by the state Joint Information Center (JIC). The JIC is part of the Washington State Emergency Operations Center operated out of Camp Murray. The website can be found at www.coronavirus.wa.gov.

This website is constantly being updated; it provides links to official information from a wide range of trusted sources, including government and community services. This website includes information on:

* Financial assistance for businesses and workers
* Insurance information for businesses
* Small business loans
* Resources for small businesses and nonprofit organizations
* Guidance for state agencies

The COVID-19 crisis has raised questions and concerns regarding estate planning. Given the current atmosphere, here are a few things to consider.

The COVID-19 crisis has raised questions and concerns with regard to estate planning. Given the current atmosphere, here are a few tips to consider:

1. Make sure your documents are current and reflect your wishes. At times like these, we are reminded of the most fundamental purpose of estate planning–to make sure that our plans, and the documents that carry out those plans, reflect our wishes. With that in mind, now would be a great time to review your existing documents and ensure they reflect your current thinking. Specifically, you should answer the following questions:

* Are the named Personal Representatives (in your Will) and Trustees (in your Trusts), as well as all successors, suitable, able, and willing to serve? Do the provisions of your Will and Trusts direct that your property pass to the people and/or charities you wish to benefit in a manner that reflects your wishes and the needs and best interests of those beneficiaries?

* Have there been any major life changes (such as changes in marital status, births/deaths, changes in residence, major purchases or sales of assets, or acquisitions/sales of property located in another state or country) since you last executed your estate planning documents?

* Are the beneficiary designations on your retirement accounts and life insurance policies up to date?

* Do you know where your original Will and Trust Agreements are located?

2. Make sure your advance directives are up to date and that you have copies available. Your advance directives (such as your Directive to Physicians ("Living Will") and Health Care Power of Attorney) express your wishes and authorize your agents to make medical and financial decisions for you in the event you are unable to do so. Review these documents to ensure that they reflect your current wishes and name the persons who you trust will be able to tend to those matters on your behalf. In addition, make sure to discuss your health care wishes with your agents so that, if necessary, they are prepared to make decisions that reflect your wishes. For instance, consider whether you want heroic measures, such as intubation, to be taken in the event that, because of illness, you cannot breathe on your own.

3. Focus on your estate plan if you have not yet done so. Some say that "perfection is the enemy of good." Many people put off on starting, or delay completing, their estate plans while trying to finalize some difficult decisions. As the current crisis reminds us, we never know exactly when we will need our estate plans. Therefore, focus on completing your plans to the best of your ability now, and remember that you can make changes in the future.

4. This too shall pass. The current environment is frightening and rightfully so, but we know that it will eventually be behind us. Given the current financial climate, including the volatility of the stock market, there are, and will undoubtedly continue to be, opportunities to transfer wealth. Some of the most successful estate plans are those that took advantage of the economic crisis of 2008-2009, and we expect that future successful estate plans will be born of actions taken in the current climate. Specifically, current tax laws offer many opportunities to transfer wealth to children (and further descendants) and others without the imposition of estate or gift tax. Since some of these tax advantages are scheduled to expire in 2026, now may be the perfect time to utilize them.

For any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us to discuss further. We proudly represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and, although we are not currently scheduling in-person meeting, we are entirely available to meet by phone or via Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, or Facebook Messenger.

How the CARES Act Impacts Employee Defined Contribution and Retirement Plans

As mentioned previously, the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020, with many components receiving national headlines as it provides unprecedented benefits to small business owners and employees. The CARES Act includes several provisions impacting employee defined contribution retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, that employers should be aware of, as follows:

* PARTICIPANT LOANS: Eligible participants are allowed to take out loans in amounts up to the lesser of $100,000 or 100% of the participant's vested account balance beginning 3/27/20 through 9/23/20. Previously, this was limited to $50,000 or 50% of the participant's vested account balance.
* DELAYED PAYMENTS. Additionally, for participants with existing outstanding plan loans, repayments between 3/27/20 and 12/31/20 may be delayed for one year. The interest on the loan will continue to accrue on the outstanding principal balance.
* REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS: RMDs for 2020 are waived for IRAs and defined contribution plans.
* HARDSHIP DISTRIBUTIONS: Eligible participants are allowed to take a hardship distribution up to $100,000 without incurring the 10% early withdrawal penalty. Participants are able to take these distributions through 12/31/20. Additionally, the distribution can be included in the participant's taxable income ratably over three years or be repaid within three years without having to include the proceeds in taxable income for Federal reporting purposes.

The CARES Act defines an eligible participant for hardship distributions and participant loans as anyone meeting any of the following three criteria:

* A participant who was diagnosed with COVID-19 by a test approved by the CDC.

* A participant whose spouse or dependent was diagnosed with COVID-19 by a test approved by the CDC.

* A participant who experiences financial hardship from quarantine, including being laid off, furloughed, a reduction of working hours, or lack of child care due to COVID-19.

The CARES Act provides the Dept. of Labor with the authority to delay certain reporting requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) in the event of a public health emergency as declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This includes annual Form 5500 filings. As of today, the DOL has not provided any guidance regarding a delay in any reporting requirements.

If you want to take advantage of this program, please talk with your retirement plan's administrator, as your plan may need to be amended to allow for these provisions.

Insurance companies are low-balling settlement offers to injured claimants during the coronavirus crisis. Call us if you need legal advice.

If you were injured in an auto collision that wasn't your fault, here's something you should know: Every insurance company has one thing in common—they want to pay you as LITTLE as possible. Don't be offended—it's not personal, it’s just how they make money. They charge monthly premiums, which most customers dutifully pay each month, only to try to avoid paying out when people REALLY need it.

Despite all of the "good hands" and “good neighbor” marketing—frequently presented in really funny ads with the mayhem guy or Aaron Rodgers or Peyton Manning—insurance companies are not there to be your friend, be your neighbor, or loan you a cup of sugar when you’re baking cookies with your kids. They are there to make money for their shareholders, nothing more and nothing less.

The trick to doing that as an insurance company is to take in as much as you can in premiums, and pay out as little as you can in claims. Again, it's not personal, it's just math. It’s a business, like any other, and auto insurers are there to make money. If you want a “good neighbor,” I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to talk to your actual neighbors.

And here's some bad news for you. In the past few weeks, we've found that insurance companies, particularly those we like to call the "Triad of Evil" (Allstate, State Farm, and Farmers), have been especially low-balling settlement offers to injured claimants during the coronavirus crisis. Our guess is that they have realized that people, especially people who are injured, are growing more and more desperate for money. Unemployment is soaring and real estate values are dropping. Many Americans are struggling to provide for basic needs such as housing, clothing, and food. And while they are struggling, insurance companies are enjoying tremendous opportunity by offering injured persons pennies on the dollar to resolve their personal injury claims.

Don't take the first settlement offer the insurance company makes. You deserve better than that. If you or a friend or family member has been injured in an auto collision and need legal representation, call us at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment (via video conference) right away.

Social Distancing: Keep Up the Good Work! We're All in This Together!

This stay-at-home order is rough, especially if your job isn't deemed "essential" and you're at home, waiting it out, and not having much, if any, in-person social interaction. Our instincts are telling us to do something, to be productive, to help out somehow. So here's a reminder for you: Every day you're social distancing, not getting infected, not infecting someone else, and not further burdening our already burdened health care system, you're helping. So keep up the good work! We're all in this together!