When your business is a partnership, your partnership agreement governs its operations. We can help you prepare an agreement that establishes the terms of your partnership and roles of the partners.

Partnerships remain one of the most straightforward and easiest business structures available to partners who want to own property together or work together to make their business a success. Partnerships require minimal paperwork and bureaucracy, and they rarely require public filings. Still, formation is an important step for partnerships, just like it would be for any business. This cannot be done without a well-drafted partnership agreement. If you are looking to start your own partnership, we can help you draft the best possible partnership agreement for your needs. We can help you decide whether a limited liability partnership, a limited partnership, or a general partnership is right for your needs and help you draft the necessary documentation quickly.

When you start a business as a partnership, a partnership agreement governs its operations. A partnership agreement is simply a legal document that that establishes the terms of the partnership, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the partners. Partnership agreements serve as the governing documents of any partnership and they establish the rights and responsibilities of each partner, as well as the rules on how the business should be run on a daily basis or in the event of a business crisis, such as the death of a partner or dissolution of the partnership.

TYPES OF AGREEMENTS. While most partnership agreements will be fairly similar and should require the same types of clauses and provisions, there will be some variation depending on the type of partnership. There are three basic types of partnerships available to small businesses in most states in the U.S.:

(1) General Partnership. General partnerships make up the majority of partnerships in the U.S., as they are the simplest type of partnership available. In general partnerships, each partner is involved in the day-to-day management of the business and shares in the unlimited liability agreed to under this structure.

(2) Limited Partnership. Like a general partnership, general partners in limited partnerships run the business and take on unlimited liability. Unlike general partnerships, however, limited partnerships can have “silent” limited partners who are not involved in the operations of the business and have liability limited to the amount of their investment.

(3) Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). Limited liability partnerships are only available in some states, and most states restrict these types of partnerships to certain types of undertakings. LLPs operate like general partnerships, but all partners have limited liability.

Each type of partnership has its own advantages and disadvantages, and every partnership agreement will have very different needs, so it will help to discuss your options with a lawyer.

THE UNIFORM PARTNERSHIP ACT. Not all partnerships operate under partnership agreements. Some simply operate under a verbal agreement. These partnerships are governed by state law and the Uniform Partnership Act (in Washington, it's RCW Chap. 25.05; in Idaho it's I.C. Chap. 30-23). The Uniform Partnership Act defines defaults applied by the states to operations and disputes involving partnerships. While strictly speaking there is nothing wrong with operating according to the Uniform Partnership Act alone, conducting business without the protection of a partnership agreement often leads to unexpected, even costly, outcomes for businesses. It is always best to ensure that you have full control over how your business operates by using a partnership agreement.

KEY PROVISIONS TO INCLUDE IN PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS. Although every partnership agreement will differ slightly, all partnership agreements must address certain issues through the following key terms and provisions.

(1) Name. Any partnership agreement must name the business and in some cases must be accompanied by a request to file a “Doing Business As” or fictitious name.

(2) Ownership Percentages. All ownership allocation must be clearly defined.

(3) Capital Contributions. It is important to not only establish what contributions are expected of each party when starting the business, but also who will be obligated to contribute further capital at later stages and under which circumstances.

(4) Profit and Loss Allocations. While most profits and losses are allocated according to ownership percentage, this is not always true, especially if one partner does more in terms of management and is not given a salary. All profits and losses must be clearly attributed.

(5) Distributions. These provisions clearly establish when profits of the business can be distributed to the partners, and which partners, if any, earn a salary.

(6) Partner Authority. Unless otherwise stipulated, all partners have equal and unlimited authority to commit the business as they see fit. This power can be limited in this clause or require joint authority for large decisions.

(7) Management. This section generally assigns major management duties of the partners, especially vital procedures such as accounting.

(8) New Partners. This clause details the procedure to add new partners.

(9) Death/ Disability. This clause defines what happens to the partnership after a partner dies or is incapacitated, and, in the case that the partnership continues to exist, defines the authority of the beneficiaries of the partner who left.

(10) Dissolution. This clause defines situations under which the business will be dissolved, as well as exit strategies for any single partner who wishes to leave.

(11) Dispute Resolution. Even the best partnerships sometimes experience disputes. This clause explains the procedures for resolving such conflicts.

If you are considering forming a partnership, either to own property or to start a business with someone else, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can help. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person (with appropriate social distancing protocols in place), by phone, or via video conferencing equipment.

If you have a disabled loved one, an ABLE account is a planning tool that offers a person with disabilities a tax-free savings option that doesn't interfere with other benefits.

In July 2018, Washington launched its Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program (RCW 43.330.460, et seq.). For those of our clients with disabled family members or loved ones, an ABLE account is a planning tool that offers a person with disabilities a tax-free savings option (similar to a 529 College Savings Plan) that does not interfere with their eligibility for means-tested government benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Special needs trusts (SNTs) are well-established savings tools that also protect eligibility for public programs.

Since the regulations governing SNTs and ABLE accounts are quite different, people with disabilities and their families should consider their specific circumstances before establishing one or the other. In some instances, it may be beneficial to create both.

ELIGIBILITY. The ABLE Act limits eligibility to an individual whose disability onset occurred prior to the age of 26 and who satisfies Social Security’s criteria regarding significant functional limitations stemming from the disabling condition.

First party SNTs, which are funded with assets belonging to the beneficiary, must be established before a person meeting Social Security’s disability criteria reaches the age of 65. There are no age limits for creating third-party trusts, funded with assets belonging to anyone other than the beneficiary.

ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT. ABLE accounts can be created and managed by the beneficiary, subject to capacity. If they need assistance, the account can be established and/or managed by their parents, conservator/guardian or agent under a power of attorney.

A first party SNT may be established by the beneficiary, their parents, grandparents, conservator/guardian or the court. A third-party SNT may be established by anyone except the beneficiary. Management of SNTs is handled by a designated trustee.

CONTRIBUTION LIMITS. There are no limits to how many SNTs an individual may have or to how much each trust may hold. On the other hand, an individual may have only one ABLE account, and total annual contributions are limited to the annual federal gift tax exclusion ($15,000 for 2021).

Any amount over $100,000 in an ABLE account counts towards the individual’s $2,000 resource limit for SSI and Medicaid eligibility, and causes the individual’s SSI payments to be suspended until the account balance decreases to less than $100,000. If all other eligibility rules are followed, the individual’s SSI payments will resume when the account balance drops below $100,000 without the need to reapply for SSI. During the SSI suspension period, the individual’s SSI-linked eligibility for Medicaid continues uninterrupted.

Total lifetime contributions to an ABLE account are tied to the state’s limit on total contributions to its 529 College Savings Plan. Here in Washington, that limit is $500,000. In light of the annual contribution limit of $15,000, these lifetime limits would not be reached for decades, even if no disbursements are made from the ABLE account during the accumulation period.

INVESTMENT OPTIONS. Each state’s ABLE program designates investment options available to account holders. Changes may be made no more than twice annually. SNT investments are made at the sole discretion of the appointed trustee, who has a fiduciary responsibility to act in the beneficiary’s best interests.

USE OF FUNDS. An SNT, at the trustee’s discretion, may pay for anything that benefits the beneficiary alone─ other than food and housing─ without affecting government benefits. If the beneficiary is an SSI recipient, food and housing expenditures are considered in-kind support (ISM) and will reduce payments from that program.

An ABLE account may pay for the beneficiary’s “qualified disability expenses” (QDEs) to maintain or improve the health, independence, or quality of life of the beneficiary. This includes basic living expenses, education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, assistive technology, personal support services, health care expenses, financial management and administrative services. The ability to pay for housing without affecting SSI is an attractive benefit of ABLE accounts. More categories may be added by further regulations.

If withdrawals are made for expenditures other than QDEs, the earnings portion of the withdrawal would be subject to regular income tax and a 10% penalty.

FEES. ABLE account fees are nominal, generally limited to maintenance and charges by financial institutions. Attorney and trustee fees are incurred when creating and maintaining an SNT. A less expensive alternative─a pooled SNT─may be appropriate in some cases. Pooled SNTs are administered by nonprofit organizations and combine the resources of many sub-accounts for efficiency and investment effectiveness.

TAXES. Many believe that the most beneficial provision of an ABLE account is that it grows “income tax-free,” at least for federal income tax purposes. However, few who receive public benefits actually pay any income tax anyway. Even the ability to avoid all taxes on a $100,000 investment within an ABLE account is unlikely to improve the tax picture for a person who is eligible for SSI or Medicaid.

Contributions to an ABLE account are not deductible under federal income tax rules. A transfer to an ABLE account by a third party does qualify as a present interest gift for purposes of the federal annual gift tax exclusion. The modest tax benefits associated with an ABLE account may merit a professional review of the beneficiary’s particular person's tax situation to determine whether those tax considerations could make an ABLE account a worthwhile option.

First-party SNTs are generally treated as grantor trusts, with income taxable to the beneficiary. Often the income generated will be below taxable limits. With proper drafting, third-party SNTs can use various planning strategies to minimize taxes.

MEDICAID PAYBACK. State Medicaid programs that provide medical assistance and/or “waiver” services for the benefit of the beneficiary of an ABLE account (including community-based residential services) may assert a “payback” claim for reimbursement upon the beneficiary’s death payable from funds then remaining in the account. All funds contributed to an ABLE account, including donations from third parties, are subject to this Medicaid payback if a state elects to assert the reimbursement claim.

Subject to the payment of any outstanding QDEs, a state must limit its payback claim to Medicaid expenditures for the benefit of the beneficiary which occurred after the creation of the ABLE account. Although unlikely, it is theoretically possible that a state may elect not to seek any payback recovery from ABLE accounts belonging to its own citizens (not to participants from other states), and this beneficial feature, if available, may certainly influence a beneficiary’s choice when considering which ABLE program to select.

Funds remaining in a first-party SNT are subject to Medicaid payback for services performed throughout the beneficiary’s life. There is no payback required from third-party SNTs.

WHICH TO CHOOSE? When considerign the establishment of an SNT and/or ABLE account, the beneficiary or their legal representative should consult an experienced lawyer about the suitability of these savings tools for the beneficiary’s needs. An ABLE account is not an ideal vehicle to manage significant third-party funds due to the likelihood of a Medicaid payback claim upon the death of the beneficiary, unless there is also the strong likelihood that all third-party funds contributed will in fact be spent before the beneficiary dies. For most people with disabilities, an ABLE account is not a substitute for comprehensive SNT planning, but it may be a helpful secondary tool to help secure their financial futures.

There are several circumstances in which an ABLE account may be particularly useful. For example, an ABLE account would allow someone with disabilities to save unspent work earnings or Social Security benefits for a future purchase without violating the general rule that the recipient of SSI and Medicaid cannot accumulate more than $2,000. An ABLE account might also be useful where a relative has misguidedly left a small inheritance (i.e., less than $15,000) directly to a person who receives Medicaid and/or SSI (instead of designating the bequest to be paid to a third-party SNT). As discussed above, an ABLE account may also be used to avoid a reduction to the beneficiary’s SSI payment if contributions are used to provide for the beneficiary’s housing expenses. Finally, an ABLE account might be an excellent vehicle to hold a small litigation settlement or an unexpected windfall such as lottery winnings.

A lawyer experienced in creating special needs trusts can discuss in detail how these two techniques interact. A carefully drafted SNT might well authorize the trustee to transfer money into the beneficiary’s ABLE account to maximize the benefits of both tools simultaneously. If you have questions about ABLE accounts or special needs trusts, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.

What is a Codicil and how do they work?

A Codicil is a document that’s added to an existing, signed Will, to change it or add new provisions to it. The word "codicil" has been around since the 1400s, but now that most Wills are created electronically, it's often easier—and clearer—just to make a new Will.

Both Wills and Codicils require the signatures of witnesses. Wills, unlike most other legal documents, aren’t valid unless they are signed in front of two adult witnesses. The witnesses aren’t there just to make sure you’re who you say you are. They sign their own statement at the end of your Will, declaring that you seemed of sound mind and not under undue influence—in other words, that it looked to them like you understood what you were signing and were acting of your own free will.

This witness requirement for Wills isn’t likely to go away anytime soon. Wills are simply different from other documents because if there’s a dispute over one, the key person—the one who signed it—won’t be around to explain what they meant. By contrast, if people are arguing about, say, a contract, both of them can go into court and do their best to convince a judge or jury of their point of view.

A few states are chipping away at the witness requirement, by allowing people to sign in front of a notary public instead of witnesses, but it’s definitely the exception to the rule. After all, a notary public checks your driver’s license and verifies your identity, but isn’t asked to form any opinion about your mental state.

How does this affect Codicils? Because they are just like Wills, witnesses are required for them, too. So if, after you make and sign your Will, you want to add a new paragraph with a Codicil, you’ll have to sign the Codicil in front of two witnesses, just like the original Will.

Making a new Will is often as easy as making a Codicil. Most of us will eventually want to change the first Will we make. After all, circumstances change: we marry, divorce, have children, have fights with relatives, take up and abandon charitable causes. One “Last Will and Testament” isn’t likely to carry us through to the end.

The witness requirement for the Codicil, plus the ease of using computers to prepare, modify, and print documents, erases most reasons to make a Codicil. When legal documents were painstakingly written out with quill pens, it made sense not to rewrite a whole Will if you could just tack on a brief Codicil. But these days, there’s no advantage to a Codicil.

There is, however, a drawback: A Codicil is unlikely to seamlessly fit with the original Will. Is it a pure addition, or does it negate something in the original document? If it’s supposed to replace part of the first Will, which part?

The solution is simple: Just make another Will. These days, it's easy to start from scratch. If you're ready to make a Will and other estate planning documents, 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 (with appropriate social distancing protocols in place), by phone, or via video conference.

People with young families have special estate planning considerations. Don't postpone preparing an estate plan until you're older. We can help!

People with young families have special considerations. They often need to take specific and direct steps to protect their spouse and children. While many individuals postpone estate planning until they are older, doing so can lead to disastrous consequences.

NOMINATING A GUARDIAN. One important consideration is to nominate a guardian for minor children. A guardian is the person who will take over raising a child should something tragic happen to the parents. They are appointed by the court. This nomination is usually part of a Will. Obviously, the surviving parent will continue to raise the children. However, it is important to nominate a guardian in case something happens to both parents. A lot of consideration has to go into nominating a guardian. This person should be someone you trust. This individual will have legal authority to make decisions about the kids, such as what type of medical treatment they receive, where they go to school, and where they live. If a guardian is not named, the court has to appointment someone without the benefit of knowing the parents' preferences.

CREATION OF TRUSTS. Minors cannot directly inherit property. As such, many young couples create Trusts that direct how assets will be used for the benefit of their minor children. Another important consideration is appointing a Trustee. Some people choose someone who is particularly good at handling money or who the parent believes will follow the instructions of the Trust. If a person is not specifically named to manage your children’s inheritance, the court may have to appoint someone to complete this task. This may be a professional fiduciary, which can cost a lot and take from the inheritance the child is entitled to receive. It also involves a lot more time and effort - there are lawyers, judges, reports, accountings, etc. involved. If written instructions are not provided, the full inheritance may be given to the child when they turn 18, an age that many parents believe is not old enough to prudently manage an inheritance.

PURCHASING LIFE INSURANCE. The primary reason to have life insurance is to provide financial support to dependents. Life insurance can replace the earnings for a number of years while the kids are still minors. Having life insurance allows the surviving spouse to have access to cash they need to support the family. Single parents may need to consider a person they trust to manage funds for minor children or name the Trust as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. The person making the estate plan may want to consider how many years it will be until their children will not need any support and multiply this by their earnings to determine the amount of life insurance is necessary. They may need to take into consideration other factors, such as whether additional services would be needed if there is only one parent involved.

PREPARING FOR DISABILITY. Part of an effective estate plan considers what will happen in case you become incapacitated. You may want to establish an advance medical directive. This is a document that sets out a person’s wishes for end-of-life decisions. For example, a person can decide whether or not they want life support if they have a terminal condition or is permanently unconscious.

Another piece of an effective estate plan is to draft a power of attorney for health care. This is a document that gives one person the legal ability to make medical decisions for another person. The person holding the power of attorney should consider the wishes of the person and any instructions included in their advance directive when making these decisions.

Another important estate planning document is a durable power of attorney for finances. In this document, you name an agent to handle financial transactions and make financial decisions for you if you become unable to do so yourself, either because of age, illness, or injury.

It is important to establish these documents while you're healthy. If you lack legal capacity, you cannot create a valid document. A court order may be the only way to trigger decisions, which is often time-consuming and expensive.

Call us at 253.858.5434 for legal advice and representation regarding your estate plan. We can explain various estate planning documents and make recommendations about the types of documents that should be put in place. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person (with appropriate social distancing protocols in place), by phone, or via video conference.

The American Rescue Plan: Stimulus Checks, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and Other Provisions

Last week, President Biden signed into law a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill known as the American Rescue Plan which intends to provide substantial financial assistance to individuals and small businesses. With a relief package of this magnitude, there are a large number of financial aid provisions. Two of the most notable include the $1,400 stimulus checks for Americans and specific relief for restaurants.

STIMULUS CHECKS. The American Rescue Plan included a third round of relief to individuals in the form of $1,400 stimulus checks being paid to Americans with adjusted gross incomes up to $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. Similar to the prior stimulus checks, the payments are reduced for those above these limits and fully phase out for individuals making $80,000 and $160,000 for married couples filing jointly.

RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND. Restaurants that have been drastically and disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic have been asking for relief and now they have it. The American Rescue Plan includes a $28.6 billion “Restaurant Revitalization Fund” (RRF) that provides tax-free federal grants to eligible businesses through the Small Business Administration. Of the total grants available under the RRF, $5 billion has been allocated to businesses with gross receipts of $500,000 or less during 2019 and the remaining $23.6 billion will be available for the SBA to award to businesses equitably based on annual gross receipts.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Restaurants and similar businesses with the primary purpose of serving food or drink such as food stands/trucks/carts, bars or taverns, taprooms, brewpubs, and tasting rooms that are not publicly-traded and own or operate 20 or fewer locations (including affiliated businesses) as of March 13, 2020 are eligible. Entities applying for grants must submit a good faith certification that (1) the uncertainty of current economic conditions makes necessary the grant request to support the ongoing operations and (2) the entity has not applied for or received a grant under the “Shuttered Venue Operators” grant.

WHAT IS THE GRANT AMOUNT? The SBA will award the tax-free federal grants based on an entity’s pandemic-related revenue loss and reduced for any amounts already received through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

RRF Grant = 2019 revenue – 2020 revenue – PPP loans

If the business was not in operation for all of 2019, the grant is equal to the difference between the annualized average monthly revenue for 2019 compared to the annualized average monthly revenue for 2020. Eligible businesses that were not in operation until 2020, can receive a grant equal to the amount of eligible expenses less 2020 revenue. For businesses that are not yet in operation as of the application date, but have eligible expenses, the grant would be equal to the eligible expenses.

The maximum grant amount for an eligible business and related affiliates is $10 million and limited to $5 million per physical location of the business. Further, the SBA is able to adjust awards based on demand and relative local costs in the market where the business operates.

WHAT ARE ELIGIBLE EXPENSES? Eligible expenses include payroll, principal and interest on mortgage obligations, rent, utilities, maintenance (including construction to accommodate outdoor dining), supplies for protective equipment and cleaning materials, normal food and beverage inventory, operational expenses, paid sick leave not covered under other federal programs and any other expenses the SBA determines to be essential to maintaining operations.

For businesses, supporting restaurants is now 100% tax deductible through the end of 2022, instead of the prior 50% limitation.

OTHER PROVISIONS. Additional provisions in the American Rescue Plan include:

* An additional $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program.

* Extension of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC) through December 31, 2021.

* Extension of family and sick leave credits under the Families first Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

* Extension of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit

* $15 billion to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) grant program

* $1.25 billion for the SBA’s Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program

* Expanded child tax credit

For more information or assistance, please give us a call at 253.858.5434. We are here to help!

For the innocent victims of drunk drivers, these upsetting and life-threatening incidents often have serious ramifications and can leave you with many questions. We can help.

Drunk driving collisions can be life-altering events for innocent individuals who, through no fault of their own, are injured (or worse) by an impaired driver. Perpetrators of these crashes are considered "under the influence" when they drive with a blood alcohol level that meets or exceeds the legal limit of .08 percent. There is no question that drunk driving offenders should be held legally accountable for their actions and the damages they cause.

For the innocent victims of drunk drivers, these upsetting and life-threatening incidents often have serious ramifications and can leave you with many questions. So, what is the best course of action for you to take? How can your interests be best served? To whom do you turn? Seeking legal advice from a lawyer is crucial to ensure you get answers to your questions and the maximum compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one was hurt or killed by the negligence of a drunk driver, you may be entitled to compensation, and we're here to help. We will protect your rights and take the steps necessary to best represent your interests. In these situations, we will take a number of actions on your behalf. Some of these include:

* Making sure the collision is fully investigated and documented;

* Determining if the drunk driver was driving a commercial vehicles; * Contacting the at-fault driver's insurance company;

* Gatherin evidence; and

* Determining if the driver had been over-served at a bar or restaurant.

DRUNK DRIVING STATISTICS. The statistics regarding drunk drivers are more than alarming. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that two out of three individuals will become involved in a drunk driving collision sometime during their lives and about every two minutes someone is physically harmed as a result of a drunk driving incident. Additionally, each day in the U.S., 27 people die because of crashes caused by drunk drivers.

If you were the victim of an impaired driver, call us today at 253.858.5434 for a free consultation. You will pay nothing unless we can settle or win your case.

If you've been named Personal Representative of a loved one's estate, you will need to prepare a formal estate inventory. Here's what you'll need.

If you've been named the Personal Representative of a loved one's estate, you will need to thoroughly understand the scope of the decedent’s assets and debts so that you can prepare for the distribution of assets. You will need to estimate the value of each asset and determine the way in which the asset is owned, which will affect the process of transferring it. Even if you have a general sense of the assets involved in an estate, you should take the time to investigate whether there may be additional assets of which you are unaware. You can look in safe deposit boxes or likely hiding places in the decedent’s home, consult their friends and family members, and review key documents in the decedent’s financial papers, such as bank statements, tax returns, and investment records. In some cases, there may even be assets of which the decedent was unaware.

Probate requires preparing a formal inventory, although in Washington it is no longer required to be filed with the court. You should also maintain a worksheet that lists assets for your own reference, even assets that do not need to go through probate.

REAL ESTATE, BANK ACCOUNTS, AND VEHICLES. With regard to real estate owned by the decedent, you will want to provide the address and a description of the property. For bank accounts, you will want to list the relevant bank holding the account, as well as the account number and the amount in the account at the time of the decedent’s death. You can send you Letters Testamentary (if the decedent left a Will) or your Letters of Administration (if there's no Will) to the bank to prove that you are entitled to this information. If the decedent owned any vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, boats, and planes, you should list the make, model, and year of the vehicle as well as its identification number.

STOCKS AND BONDS. Many people leave substantial amounts of stocks and bonds to their loved ones. Your inventory should include the number of shares of each type of stock, the name of the corporation, and the name of the exchange on which the stock is traded. Meanwhile, you should note the total gross amount of a bond, the name of the entity that issued it, the interest rate on the bond, and its maturity date. (You also will want to note the serial number on U.S. savings bonds.)

LIFE INSURANCE AND RETIREMENT PLANS. For life insurance policies, you will want to record the company providing the policy, the policy number, the policyholder’s name, the type of coverage provided, and the primary and any alternate beneficiaries. You should record the amount in any retirement plan, as well as the account number and the company responsible for managing the account.

WAGES AND BUSINESS INTERESTS. You should estimate any unpaid wages, commissions, and other benefits of employment that the decedent may have been owed from their employer. If they owned a business, you will want to note the name of the business and the type of form that it took, such as a partnership, an LLC, a corporation, or a sole proprietorship. For businesses operated with others, you will want to find more information about the ownership structure. If the decedent invested in a limited partnership, you should get a statement from the partnership on the value of the decedent’s investment.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. A decedent may have had intangible assets, such as a patent on an invention or a copyright on a book. You should make note of any patents, copyright registrations, or contracts with businesses regarding intellectual property.

DEBTS AND JUDGMENTS. If the decedent loaned money to someone else or won a judgment in court, their estate has the right to collect repayment on the loan or the proceeds of the judgment. You should keep track of any promissory notes or court documents indicating a verdict or settlement in the decedent’s favor.

If you need representation or legal advice about administering an estate or your duties as Personal Representative, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.

Do you have a kid going off to college? They're going to need certain important documents, like a financial power of attorney, a health care power of attorney, and a HIPAA release, among others.

Do you have a kid going off to college for the first time or already living away at school? They’re going to need certain important documents—like a health care power of attorney and a HIPAA release, among others—in place. These key documents will let you as the parent get info about them in the event of a medical emergency.

For each of these legal documents, parents should keep the original and the student should have copies. It may be a good idea for a roommate or fellow student to know where the copies are. In addition, the family may want to see if a copy can be filed at the school with student medical records. Keep in mind that all of these forms should be updated each year and that you’ll need one form in your state of residence and a separate one in your child’s state of residence if they’re attending an out-of-state school.

1. HIPAA Release. Ever tried to get an update about a loved one in the hospital over the phone when there’s been a sudden onset of a medical issue? If so, you know it can be difficult, if not impossible, to get the info you need if you’re not authorized. That’s because of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

What you need to cut through the red tape is a HIPAA release. This document lets a patient (your college student) designate certain family members, friends, and others who can be updated about their medical info during treatment. Obviously, your kid should fill this out before they need it during a medical emergency.

The HIPAA form becomes extremely important if your child is living away at school and gets involved in an accident. That’s because you’re not getting any info over the phone even though you’re their parent—unless you fill out this form.

2. Health Care Power of Attorney. A health care power of attorney is a document naming you the parent as an “agent” for your college student. If your child becomes medically incapacitated, you can make informed medical decisions on their behalf. This document can name you as the sole point of contact and decision-maker. That will allow you to decide the best course of action with the doctors.

3. General Durable Power of Attorney. A medical power of attorney is strictly for health care choices should your child become incapacitated. A general durable power of attorney, however, covers financial decisions. This document allows a college student to give authority to another person (the parents) to make financial/legal decisions. It also allows the parents to make the following financial transactions on the student’s behalf:

* Managing bank accounts

* Paying bills

* Filing taxes

* Applying for government benefits

College is a time of great change for both parents and their kids. Young adults are dealing with being on their own for the first time. And parents may be dealing with empty nest syndrome. If you have questions about legal documents for your child in college, 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 (with appropriate social distancing protocols in place), by phone, or via video conference.

We've been doing estate planning since 1996. When it comes to estate planning, we will simplify complex concepts and guide you through what can be both a technical and an emotional process.

We have been practicing in the area of estate planning, Wills, Trusts, and probate since 1996. It is our educational approach that distinguishes us from other law firms. We’re able to simplify complex concepts and patiently guide you through what can be both a technical and an emotional process.

Individuals and families trust us with their estate planning needs. We help develop core estate planning documents, such as a Will, Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, and Directive to Physicians (commonly called a "Living Will"). In addition, we can assist with integrating other issues into your overall estate plan, such as the sale of a business, charitable giving, lifetime gifting, prenuptial or post-nuptial agreements, or long-term care.

We also assist individuals and professionals serving as Personal Representatives (what used to be called "Executors") and Trustees with the probate process and the administration of various types of Trusts. We help with the filing of court documents, gathering and valuing of assets, and compliance with fiduciary duties. If disputes arise, we provide a range of trust and estate dispute resolution options.

We begin working with you by first getting acquainted. We ask basic questions to determine your specific needs and the best way for us to assist you. Whatever your needs may be, together we prioritize and develop a comprehensive plan tailored for your unique situation. We also strive to give you options. We will match the appropriate vehicle or strategy to your objectives. For each planning technique or each step of an administration, we offer an explanation of benefits and drawbacks, educating you about the law and compliance requirements. We help you compare and contrast the options so you clearly understand the intended outcome.

If you, your friends, or family members have estate planning and we can assist you, 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 (with appropriate social distancing protocols in place), by phone, or via video conference.

What is probate? If you're not a lawyer and don't understand what probate is, don't feel bad. A lot of lawyers don't know either.

What is probate? If you’re not a lawyer and don’t understand what probate is, don’t feel bad. A lot of lawyers don’t know either. Unless you practice in the area regularly, there is little need for you to know much about it. Here is how we describe probate to clients: It is a legal process by which a person is appointed by the court to sell or transfer a deceased person's assets, pay all of the bills, manage tax issues, distribute the remaining assets according to the person's Will, and then properly close the probate. If there is no Will, you distribute the assets according to Washington's default law on distribution to heirs. Seems simple, right? Kind of, but in return for that simplicity, the person who is appointed needs to carefully follow the law, including sending out the appropriate notices to the other people interested in the estate so they can defend their rights if needed. Washington courts do not normally directly supervise the administrator of the estate. The Personal Representative (what used to be called the "Executor") is on their own. But failing to follow the rules can get you in trouble and can sometimes be costly.

MYTH #1: IF I DON'T HAVE A WILL, THE STATE WILL GET EVERYTHING. We hear this more frequently than you'd think. Many people think that if there is no Will, then "the state will get everything." Not true. When a person dies with no Will, their estate is distributed to the person's "heirs" as defined by state law. In Washington, the "heirs" are who you'd expect: the surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and further descendants, parents, siblings, siblings' descendants (nieces and nephews), grandparents, grandparents' descendants (aunts, uncles, then cousins), etc., in that order. RCW 11.04.015. Furthermore, taxation issues are the same regardless of whether or not the decedent left a Will. The administration of the estate is also similar with or without a Will. Getting a person appointed, however, can be slightly more complicated.

MYTH #2: IF I HAVE A WILL, I DON'T NEED A PROBATE. Whether you need a probate has nothing to do with whether there is a Will. The need for a probate is dependent on many other factors that are best assessed by a lawyer who practices probate law. But generally, a probate is needed when you have assets that can only be obtained by a person with Letters Testamentary (which you can only get by opening a probate) and who has taken on the responsibility of conducting the probate properly.

HOW LONG DOES PROBATE TAKE? There is no set time period that a probate must remain open. It is a matter of how long it takes to marshal the decedent’s assets, get their name off of titles to property, sell assets, pay all creditors, and take care of taxes. This need not take a long time. When there is a house, it might take a while to sell the house. Also, if a Notice to Creditors is published, you’ll need to wait to finish the probate until the 4-month claim period has expired. But other than that 4-month claim period, nothing is driving the length of the probate except for how long it takes you to liquidate and distribute all of the decedent's assets and pay their bills.

If you've been named as Personal Representative of a loved one's estate and have questions about how the process works, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Revocable Living Trust as Part of Your Estate Plan

A Revocable Living Trust is an agreement that a Trustee (usually yourself) shall hold all the property you transfer into the name of the Trust for the benefit of the trust beneficiaries (usually yourself and your spouse). After your death, the Trust transfers the trust assets to those you designate as your ultimate beneficiaries. During the lifetime of the person establishing the Trust (the Trustor), and while they are competent to do so, the Trust may be revoked. People who have a Revocable Living Trust also need Wills, which Wills should direct the probate assets of the Trustor decedent to be “poured over” into the trust. Also, decedents need Wills to nominate Personal Representatives, to create non-intervention, no-bond status for their Personal Representative and to nominate guardians for minor children.

Revocable Living Trusts have some advantages, which can be useful to some clients, some misconceptions about possible advantages, and significant disadvantages as well.

ADVANTAGES OF A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST. First, a well-administered Revocable Living Trust that contains all the assets of a decedent Trustor can avoid the expense of probate. Since the Trust costs money to create and maintain, this advantage is likely a non-advantage. For people who live in states with expensive statute-mandated attorney’s fees in probate, such as California, probate cost savings may be so substantial as to warrant use of Revocable Living Trusts. Washington and Idaho are not states that mandates the fee paid to attorneys in probate.

Second, a well-administered Trust can avoid the cost of ancillary probates for out-of-state property. If an estate holds any number of out-of-state or foreign properties, these costs savings and ease of administration could be substantial, as compared to traditional probate.

Third, a Revocable Living Trust need never enter the public eye, through filing of a probate proceeding or filing of an inventory, and so the privacy of the Trustor and their family may be protected.

Fourth, a Revocable Living Trust, in possession of ongoing businesses, may provide for continuity of control and administration upon the death or incapacity of the Trustor.

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT TRUSTS. First, the probate cost savings, which are much-heralded by drafters of Revocable Living Trusts, are overstated, and the costs of the Trusts themselves much understated. Real estate property titles must be transferred, which costs money, and financial accounts must be retitled, in order to properly fund a Trust. Any omissions in such transfers may necessitate having a probate proceeding as well as a Trust, which misfortune maximizes the cost of one's estate plan administration.

Second, Revocable living trusts offer no tax advantage. The IRS views property held in a trust managed by you for your benefit as just “your property.” All income passes through directly to your personal income tax return. No tax benefits accrue. A Revocable Living Trust has no impact on one's estate tax obligation under state law, nor on one's federal estate and gift tax obligation.

DISADVANTAGES OF A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST. First, the trust instrument itself costs a few thousand dollars and the ongoing costs of maintaining the trust (tax reporting, trustee fees, transfers of real property titles from Trustor to the Trust) are substantial. In the end, Revocable Living Trusts can cost more than simple probates. So, for most clients, Revocable Living Trusts are more expensive than the probate alternative. Probate in uncomplicated Washington and Idaho estate administrations is relatively inexpensive.

Second, Revocable Livings Trust Agreements are complex legal documents. Their complexity bewilders most Trustors. And, so, the Revocable Living Trust not only costs money to create, but may also cost money to revoke.

Third, the complexity of Revocable Living Trusts leads to Trustor errors. Trustors forget to put their refinance paperwork in the name of the Trust, and so end up with real estate in the name of the Trustors, not the Trust. Trustors put financial accounts in the name of the Trustors, as well as other of the myriad financial transactions of a lifetime of living. When death comes, we most often find that the Trustors of a Revocable Living Trust need not only trust administration but also a probate to move assets into the Trust. Most Trustors cannot hold in their minds for a lifetime after they execute a Trust Agreement that they have no assets, but are simply the beneficiaries of their trust assets managed by their Trustees (themselves). It is an odd idea, after all.

Fourth, some tax procedural rules are not as liberal for trusts as they are for probates.

Fifth, failing to probate the estates of the Trustor fails to take advantage of the short probate creditor claim statute of limitations. For Trusts, claims for payment can crop up six years after the Trustor’s death. For probates, creditor claims are cut off after four months.

There are obviously pros and cons to using a Revocable Living Trust as part of your estate plan. If you have questions about Revocable Living Trust or estate planning in generally, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.

Medical "special damages" are part of the personal injury compensation formula that insurance companies use to figure out a claimant's losses.

A key component of most personal injury claims is the injured person's "medical special damages," which just means the amount the claimant spent on medical bills while having their injuries diagnosed and treated. Medical specials are part of the personal injury compensation formula that many insurance companies use to figure out a claimant's total losses. The formula depends on a number of key factors, including the type of medical treatment you receive and the kind of medical providers from whom you receive that treatment.

TYPES OF MEDICAL TREATMENT. According to insurance adjusters, not all medical services are created equal when it comes to figuring out the value of a personal injury claim. Let's take a closer look at some of the variables.

TREATMENT vs. DIAGNOSIS. Before you can be treated for an injury, medical personnel have to diagnose it. In many cases, the diagnostic process is relatively quick, and the charge for it amounts to a small part of your medical bills, as compared with the cost of treatment. In such cases, insurance companies do not usually bother to make any distinction between diagnosis and treatment. They lump all your medical bills together into one medical specials amount. Sometimes, though, doctors will put a person through many tests and examinations, simply trying to diagnose what is wrong, and running up large medical bills in the process. If most of the medical bills are for diagnosis only, and the injury winds up requiring little treatment, an insurance adjuster might not view the total medical specials as accurately reflecting the injured person’s "pain and suffering." Consequently, the adjuster might use a lower multiplier for those medical bills in arriving at the appropriate range of damages.

M.D.s AND HOSPITALS vs. NON-M.D.s. One of the insurance industry’s strong prejudices is in favor of mainstream treatment by physicians, hospitals, and medical clinics—and against physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, naturopaths, and so-called "alternative" medicine. Any medical bill you have incurred at the hands of a medical doctor, hospital, or medical clinic, no matter how outrageously expensive, will be considered legitimate by almost any insurance adjuster and will usually be given a high multiplier in the damages formula. Treatments by non-physician medical providers are often equally effective and much less costly, but insurance adjusters tend to apply lower multipliers.

PHYSICAL THERAPY. For example, in motor vehicle-related injury claims, physical therapy is a common treatment, yet it is generally considered to be lower in the pecking order than other kinds of medical treatment. If you receive a few weeks of physical therapy prescribed and administered by your doctor’s office, an insurance adjuster may lump it in with other medical specials. But if you have physical therapy for months and the therapy accounts for the largest part of your medical bills by far, the insurance adjuster is likely to use a lower multiplier when plugging your medical specials into the damages formula. Also, where you receive physical therapy may affect how the insurance company views it. If your doctor prescribes physical therapy but you receive the actual treatment outside the doctor’s office and beyond the doctor’s control, the insurance adjuster might discount the physical therapy bills. That’s because insurance companies believe that when left to their own devices, physical therapists tend to treat patients endlessly. And if you seek physical therapy independently, without it having been recommended or prescribed by your physician, an insurance adjuster is likely to discount those bills even more.

TREATMENT BY CHIROPRACTORS, MASSAGE THERAPISTS, ACUPUNCTURISTS, AND OTHER NON-PHYSICIAN TREATMENT PROVIDERS. Unless bestowed with the rare blessing of a doctor’s prescription, other nontraditional treatments are given even less weight than physical therapy. This does not mean that you cannot be reimbursed at all for these treatments by the liable person’s insurance company. But it does mean that the insurance adjuster handling your claim will not count these expenses very highly when deciding how to multiply medical specials within the damages formula. Of course, your primary concern should be to obtain the kind of medical care with which you are most comfortable and that you think will help you most. But you should be aware that if you choose services not provided by a physician, an insurance company is likely to compensate you at a lower rate.

DURATION OF TREATMENT. Logic says that if an injury receives a long period of medical treatment, the injury requires a long period to heal, and that translates to a high degree of pain and suffering. So, if you undergo a long period of treatment, you can argue to an insurance adjuster that the timeline was evidence of the seriousness of the injury. But again, insurance adjusters are suspicious of physical therapists and chiropractors, believing they treat longer than necessary to keep their money rolling in.

If you or a friend, family member, neighbor, or co-worker have been injured in an auto collision or other incident and have questions about how your medical treatment will affect your claim, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment for a free initial consultation today.

Does a "no contest" clause in a Will protect the Will from being challenged by an unhappy heir or beneficiary?

Does a "no contest" clause protect a Will from a challenge? A no contest clause is a common provision that is meant to dissuade a beneficiary from contesting a Will. Most no contest clauses generally say that a beneficiary who challenges a Will will receive nothing, or have their share drastically reduced to a nominal amount, such as a dollar.

The key to an effective no contest clause is to offer some kind of incentive. In other words, a would-be challenger must receive enough under the Will to have something meaningful to lose. If the incentivizing bequest is too small, the clause will be of little help. For example, an heir who receives a small bequest in the context of very large estate will likely be more inclined to risk losing it for a chance to have a much larger share because they have nothing to lose anyway if they don't prevail. In an estate of many millions, involving heirs of considerable means, no contest bequests may need to be significant to effectively counter an unwanted challenge, especially where emotions may be running high.

Often beneficiaries will read a Will with a no contest clause and conclude that they must accept the terms, or risk losing their inheritance. On the flip side, testators generally assume that no contest clauses in their estate planning documents will always be enforced. However, a no contest clause does not always mean that no contest is possible.

Here in Washington, courts generally respect no contest clauses. For instance, in In re Estate of Rathbone (2018), the Washington Supreme Court upheld a no contest clause in a Will, where the testator had included a broadly worded no contest provision and also specifically named the beneficiary who was likely to challenge. Although the trial court and appellate court held that courts were allowed to interpret the provisions of the Will and thereby permitted the anticipated challenge to proceed, the Supreme Court reversed the lower court decisions, stating that courts should show restraint when the testator’s intent is so clearly stated.

It is important to note, however, that the Court said its holding in Rathbone was supported by the particular facts of the case, where a son was specifically named in the Will as a potential challenger. Therefore, the decision is probably better viewed as strongly encouraging judicial restraint from interpretation, not a blanket statement that all no contest clauses are per se enforceable in Washington. In fact, the case law reveals that such clauses are not enforced in all circumstances - there are always exceptions. For instance, Washington courts have held that a “no contest clause is inoperable if the challenger brings his or her contest in good faith and with probable cause.” In re Estate of Chappell (1923); In re Estate of Kubick (1973); and In re Estate of Mumby (1999). In practice, this means generally that a challenge will be respected and not result in disinheritance when the plaintiff has proceeded following the advice of a lawyer, provided they have fairly and fully disclosed all of the material facts and the contest.

In addition, a no contest clause may be drafted in such a way to afford some flexibility, allowing enforcement in certain circumstances – for instance, if there has been a breach of fiduciary duty. A challenge may be permitted also if it is brought forward on public policy grounds.

Regardless of the side you’re on, careful consideration should be given to the specific language of no contest provision, the nature and size of bequest that is at risk, and the character and inclinations of the persons involved.

Finally, it is important to note that the enforcement of no contest clauses is jurisdictional, with some jurisdictions, such as Idaho and Oregon, enforcing no contest clauses more strictly and others like Washington being less strict.

If you have questions about no contest clauses or Will in general, 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 (with appropriate social distancing protocols in place), by phone, or via video conference.

Motor home and RV collisions can happen for any number of reasons. If you've been hurt in an RV collision, we can help.

As the baby boomer population is retiring, we're seeing many more RVs or motor homes on the roadways. Although motor homes can be as long as a single-trailer semi truck and are much more difficult to maneuver than a personal vehicle, state laws do not require special driving permits to operate these massive vehicles. In short, anyone can get behind the wheel of an RV. Motor home collisions can happen for any number of reasons:

* Inexperienced drivers

* Driver fatigue

* Drunk/impaired driver

* Rollover

* Runaway trailers

* Unsafe speed for conditions

* Overloading/unbalanced load

* RV driver fails to see car in blind spot

* Not enough stopping room

* Poorly calculated turns

* Tire blowout

* Design or manufacturing defects

WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A COLLISION WITH AN RV? Seek medical care immediately after a collision. If you are injured or you have lost a loved one, it may be hard to think of documenting what happened, but this is vital to your case. Take photos of the scene and of your injuries, and write down an account of the events leading up to and following the crash. It’s also important not to speak to any insurance agents until you’ve spoken to your lawyer. The goal of insurance companies is to pay as little to victims as possible. As overwhelmed as you may be with your recovery, you may unintentionally waive your legal right to compensation.

Statutes of limitations vary by state. Here in Washington, it's three years from the date of the incident, but in Idaho it's only two, meaning that claims must be filed before that time runs out. Additionally, important information and evidence can be lost or jeopardized almost immediately after a collision. You need to contact a lawyer with the resources to begin researching your case and advocating for you immediately, while you focus on recovering from your injuries.

We have years of experience handling all types of motor vehicle collisions. We rely on our in-depth knowledge of the law as well as our understanding of the tactics insurance companies will utilize to downplay your claim. We will thoroughly research the collision and consult the necessary medical experts and accident analysts. Contact us today at 253.858.5434 for a free initial consultation.

We advise clients to review their estate plan every few years and after any major life changes. Your plan should be reviewed periodically to see whether anything necessitates revisions to your plan.

We generally advise clients to review their estate plan every few years and after any major life changes. This doesn't mean you should review only your Will. A comprehensive estate plan may include a Will, a Revocable Living Trust, a Durable Power of Attorney, a Healthcare Power of Attorney, and a Directive to Physicians. Some estates include additional documents such as life insurance, retirement plans, and business plans. All of these documents should be reviewed periodically to see whether your intentions have changed or if other factors necessitate revisions to your estate plan.

COMMON REASONS TO CHANGE YOUR ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS. Whether to revise an estate plan requires some serious thought on your part. Some common reasons to change your estate planning documents include any of the following:

* Is there a new marriage? If so, you will want to ensure that your estate includes your new spouse and doesn't include your old one. You also need to help ensure that your children from a former marriage are properly provided for, either in your will or in a Living Trust.

* Have you changed your mind about the guardian you chose for your children? If so, you may want to revise your Will or your Power of Attorney for Minor Children's Healthcare. You also should consider adding a successor guardian in the event the guardian you chose is incapable of becoming the guardian of your children.

* Is there a new baby or an adopted child? Make sure your estate plan includes all children—including biological and adopted children.

* Do you want to disinherit a child? If you've decided to disinherit a child, make sure that is part of your estate plan.

* Do you want to add or change beneficiaries, including a charity? Without updating your estate plan, a new beneficiary won't be added if you haven't included that person or charity. Likewise, if you want to remove a beneficiary, you will want to revisit your estate plan and check with your lawyer.

* Have you divorced since your estate plan was made? Change your documents as soon as possible.

* Do you have a blended family? If you want to provide for stepchildren and you haven't already done so, you should revise your estate documents. Stepchildren are not included as heirs if you die without a Will or if your Will fails to name them.

* Has one or more of your beneficiaries predeceased you? If a beneficiary has died, it is important to revise your documents either to provide for new beneficiaries or to redistribute your property among beneficiaries.

* Do any of your beneficiaries have special needs that you want your estate plan to address? If any of your beneficiaries has special needs or has developed a serious illness you may want to provide for the care of that beneficiary.

* Have you moved to a new state? Each state's laws are different, so you may want to review your estate plan with a lawyer in your new location.

* Do you want a new Trustee for your Trust? If you're considering substituting Trustees or adding a successor Trustee to your Revocable Living Trust, it may be wise to review your entire estate plan.

* Have you received an inheritance or additional assets? The addition of new assets is a good reason for revisiting your estate plan. Some or all of the assets may be better off in a Trust, rather than a Will, to avoid probate. Discuss this with your lawyer or financial planner.

* Do you want a new person to have power of attorney? If you have a Durable Power of Attorney or a Healthcare Power of Attorney, or both, it is a good idea to ensure they reflect your current intentions. If not, you can revoke either or both of them and then appoint a new person to have power of attorney.

* Do you have a Directive to Physicians (commonly called a "Living Will")? Are the directives in the Living Will what you want, or have you changed your mind?

* Did you open a business or do you currently own one? You may want to discuss a business succession plan with your lawyer so the business can stay open. You also will be allowed to decide who you want to run your business.

* Are there new tax laws in place? Tax laws are always changing. Discuss this with your lawyer and the effect of new tax laws on your estate plan.

* The mere passage of time is sufficient to warrant a review your estate plan. Even if nothing has changed, it's a good idea to review your estate plan if it's been at least three to five years since you last reviewed it.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO UPDATE YOUR ESTATE PLAN. There are numerous reasons to amend a will or a Living Trust along with your other estate documents. You may have changed your mind about something such as beneficiaries, division of assets, or who you want to have your power of attorney since you last looked at your estate plan. You may have inherited or purchased a significant number of assets since your estate plan was made, or you may have neglected to put some property into your Revocable Living Trust. All of these are valid reasons for reviewing your estate plan.

Discussing your estate plan with your lawyer is crucial when you have significant life changes. Without revisiting your estate plan, your property could end up with beneficiaries you no longer want or your children could end up with guardians you don't speak with anymore. You also may have grandchildren you want to add to your estate plan.

If you have had even one of the above changes happen in your life, it's time to revisit your estate plan so that your current intentions will be carried out. While people tend to put this off, it's important to have your estate plan reviewed right away. Hopefully, these documents won't be needed for a long time, but knowing they're in place can bring you great peace of mind. Give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can help.