Choosing people for the fiduciary roles within your estate plan should be done with great care because appointing the wrong person can have a detrimental effect on the overall success of your plan.

Creating a comprehensive estate plan requires you to make numerous important decisions. Although many of those decisions are directly related to the distribution of your estate assets after you are gone, not all of them are. In fact, some of the most influential decisions you will make within your estate plan are often the ones people spend very little time making. These are decisions related to fiduciary roles within your plan. Choosing people for the fiduciary roles within your estate plan should be done with great care because appointing or nominating the wrong person can have a detrimental effect on the overall success of your plan.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A FIDUCIARY? A fiduciary is a person who holds a legal or ethical relationship of trust with another person or a group of people. Put another way, a fiduciary is someone who has undertaken to act for and on behalf of another in a particular matter in circumstances that give rise to a relationship of trust and confidence. Furthermore, a fiduciary duty is the highest standard of care in equity or law. A fiduciary is expected to be extremely loyal to the person to whom they owe the duty and must not profit from the position as a fiduciary. A fiduciary can receive a fee for services; however, they should not profit at the expense of the other party.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR FIDUCIARIES. Although every estate plan is unique, most have at least one fiduciary role within the plan and most have several fiduciaries. When you are deciding who to appoint to these fiduciary roles within your estate plan, considering the following tips:

* Personal Representative – When you create your Will, you will appoint a Personal Representative. Your Personal Representative is responsible for overseeing the administration of your estate during the probate process. Appoint someone who:

-- Will not be so overwhelmed with grief that they cannot focus on what needs to be done.

-- Lives close enough to be able to secure and manage the property while the probate process is going on and can handle the distribution of your assets at the end of the process.

-- Is good at conflict resolution.

-- Will not hesitate to seek assistance from professionals if it is needed.

* Trustee – If you incorporate a Trust into your estate plan, you will need to appoint a Trustee. Your Trustee will manage and invest Trust assets as well as administer the Trust and make distributions using the terms you created. Appoint someone who:

-- Has a financial and/or legal background, or who understands that they should hire a professional to advise them.

-- Does not have any conflicts with beneficiaries.

-- Lives close to any real estate held by the trust.

-- Is willing to serve in the position.

* Agent in a Durable Power of Attorney – A Power of Attorney allows you to appoint an Agent who will have the legal authority to act on your behalf in legal and financial matters. A POA can be general or limited. If you create a general POA, appoint an Agent who:

--You trust unconditionally.

-- Has the ability to handle challenges to their authority because some third parties will likely question your Agent’s authority.

* Agent in a Healthcare Power of Attorney – A Healthcare Power of Attorney allows you to appoint an Agent to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself because of your incapacity. Appoint an Agent who:

--Knows you well enough to know what decisions you would likely make.

-- Will be able to understand the often-complicated medical jargon and explanations.

-- Is able to remain calm under pressure and make difficult decisions

CAN I APPOINT MY SPOUSE AS A FIDUCIARY? You can appoint anyone you wish to a fiduciary position; however, sometimes there are cases where it's not in your best interest (or your spouse's) to appoint your spouse to a fiduciary role.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL TO APPOINT SOMEONE TO A FIDUCIARY POSITION? It depends on the position, but it often means that a court will be forced to appoint someone for you without your input.

CAN I APPOINT CO-FIDUCIARIES OR SUCCESSOR FIDUCIARIES? You can — and should — appoint successor or alternate fiduciaries. You can often appoint more than one person to a fiduciary position; however, doing so can create additional confusion. Talk to your estate planning lawyer before appointing co-fiduciaries.

If you have additional questions about how to pick fiduciary roles within your estate plan, contact us by calling 253.858.5434 to schedule an appointment. We proudly represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

The Downside to Keeping Your Important Documents in a Safe Deposit Box

We have discussed this issue several times in the past and during many conferences with clients. Basically, unless you have valuables that must be stored in a lock box at a bank, we do not recommend using safe deposit boxes.

As banks have become larger and larger, they have become harder and harder to deal with when a decedent has a safe deposit box. Many banks are requiring Letters Testamentary, court orders, or similar documents in order to surrender the contents of a safe deposit box, even if it was joint and there is a surviving spouse. This is true even if you can prove by a bill of sale or other documentation that you own the property in the box.

The concern of banks is that they may turn over valuable contents to the wrong party. For certain items such as Wills, life insurance policies, and deeds to cemetery plots, they can turn these over to certain individuals upon proof of death and the relationship of the individual to the decedent. For other items in the safe deposit box, it is not so easy. By requiring Letters Testamentary or similar documents, they are asking for you to open up a probate estate and have a Personal Representative appointed. This can be an unnecessary multi-thousand dollar task. Probating a Will and getting a Personal Representative appointed requires administration of the estate through the court.

In order to avoid the issues, you should not have a safe deposit box unless you have items such as valuable jewelry, gold, silver, etc. that need to be locked up and you do not have an adequate home safe. If you must have a safe deposit box at a bank, then make sure a trusted family member or friend also has access to it.

If you have questions about accessing a decedent's safe deposit box, or any other probate or estate planning questions, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can help. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

How do lawyers put a dollar value on a personal injury case? What constitutes a fair (or even acceptable) amount of money to settle your case?

The vast majority of personal injury cases settle out of court. Litigation -- the process of taking a personal injury lawsuit through the civil court system -- is a costly proposition with no guarantee of a good result. Most lawyers generally recognize that reaching a reasonable settlement is vastly preferable to the court-based process. But how do they put a dollar value on a personal injury case? What constitutes a fair (or even acceptable) amount of money to settle your case?

THE CONCEPT OF "DAMAGES." In personal injury law, "damages" (your injuries and losses) form the basis of calculating the amount of money appropriate to compensate you. You cannot appropriately value a personal injury case unless you understand what damages are available in your case.

There are three basic types of damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive (in Idaho, but not in Washington, where we do not recognize punitive damages). In nearly every personal injury case, economic and non-economic damages are at issue. Punitive damages -- those being damages designed purely to punish an egregiously negligent party -- are generally available only in specific instances, and generally aren't part of settlement calculations in most cases.

Economic damages are quantifiable expenditures or financial losses that can be directly attributed to the injury suffered, and to the underlying incident. Economic damages can be relatively easy to calculate, particularly if you are diligent about keeping thorough records of all you spend or lose (including wages) due to your injury.

Non-economic damages are the proverbial "pain and suffering" damages and are designed to compensate you for any emotional or psychological toll your injuries have taken on your life. While economic damages may be subject to some negotiation, placing a value on them is relatively easy. Not so much with pain and suffering.

Determining what to demand in non-economic damages requires a combination of research, experience, and honest assessment. While every injured party would like a seven-figure sum regardless of the injury, the simple truth is that insurance companies (who are likely paying any settlement) only have so much money to pay under their policies.

An experienced lawyer will know how certain insurance companies work, and will generally have some idea of how much money, in total, is available. A little research can go a long way toward determining what juries have awarded in similar cases, which can also inform a demand. Finally, an honest assessment of the value of the case -- and the dollar amount you consider to be fair compensation -- will help frame any settlement demand. As such, an auto collision with minor bumps and bruises will likely settle for far less than a collision that results in permanent disability.

FRAMING A DEMAND. Once you understand the damages available, as well as the amount of potential settlement money available, your lawyer will frame a demand and formalize it in a demand letter.

A demand should always leave room for negotiation, so it is a smart idea to ask for a sum greater than your "bottom line" number. When framing your demand, you simply add up your economic damages and any monetary compensation for pain and suffering you feel you deserve. The defendant or insurance company will then begin to negotiate that number down.

Depending on the strengths and weaknesses of your case, or the time frame in which the demand is made, a counteroffer may be significantly lower than your initial demand. This is normal. Insurance companies are always looking for discounts for early resolution of cases and will magnify any perceived weaknesses in your case in an attempt to obtain a settlement agreement for as little money as possible.

The negotiation process can be a matter of a few phone calls between lawyers, or can involve mediators, facilitators, and even judges. Courts prefer that cases settle prior to trial and will often bring any and all resources at their disposal to bear to ensure that a case settles. The value you place on your case can directly impact how settlement negotiations are handled. In fact, injured parties sometimes make extremely high demands to force unwilling defendants into mediation or facilitation.

THE REAL VALUE OF YOUR CASE. Only you, as an injured person, can know the true value of a case. But when placing a settlement value on a personal injury claim, it is important to keep in mind that the ultimate goal is recovery and that recovery requires compromise.

If you have a particularly strong case, where the facts are not in dispute and liability is relatively clear, you are likely in a position to place a high value on your case and still settle. However, for every crack and weakness in the facts of your case, your demand will likely be reduced accordingly. If you enter negotiations with these facts in mind and are mentally and financially prepared to receive fair compensation as opposed to a windfall, you and your lawyer should be able to place a value on your case that will lead to a satisfactory settlement.

If you have questions about a personal injury matter, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment for a free consultation today.

Gifting assets to your grandchildren can do more than help them get a good start in life -- it can also reduce the size of your estate and any estate taxes that will be due upon your death.

Gifting assets to your grandchildren can do more than help your descendants get a good start in life — it can also reduce the size of your estate and any estate taxes that will be due upon your death. The simplest approach to gifting is to give the grandchild an outright gift. You may give each grandchild up to $16,000 a year (in 2022) without having to report the gifts. If you’re married, both you and your spouse can make such gifts. For example, a married couple with four grandchildren may give away up to $128,000 a year with no gift tax implications. In addition, the gifts will not count as taxable income to your grandchildren (although the earnings on the gifts if they are invested will be taxed). Just remember that any gift can interfere with Medicaid eligibility.

But you may have some misgivings about making outright gifts to your grandchildren. There is no guarantee that the money will be used in the way you may have wished. Money that you hoped would be saved for educational expenses may instead be spent on a fact-finding mission to Scottsdale. Fortunately, there are a number of options to protect against misuse of the funds by grandchildren:

* You can pay for educational and medical costs for your grandchildren. There’s no limit on these gifts, meaning that you can pay these expenses in addition to making annual $16,000 (in 2022) gifts. But you have to be sure to pay the school or medical provider directly.

* You can make gifts to a custodial account that parents can establish for a minor child.

* You can create a Trust and transfer money into the Trust established to benefit a grandchild.

* You can reduce your taxable estate while earmarking funds for the higher education of a grandchild through the use of a “529 plan" account.

* You can use other gift vehicles like IRAs and savings bonds.

To determine the best way to provide for your grandchildren, contact us at 253.858.5434 for a consultation. We proudly represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

Some of the decisions that impact the success or failure of an estate plan are frequently done without much thought -- including decisions relating to choosing fiduciaries throughout your estate plan.

Although you may not realize it, some of the decisions that impact the success -- or failure -- of an estate plan are frequently made without giving them much thought. Those decisions are the ones that relate to choosing fiduciary roles throughout your estate plan.

WHAT IS A FIDUCIARY? A fiduciary is a person who holds a legal or ethical relationship of trust with another person or a group of people. Put another way, a fiduciary is someone who has undertaken to act for and on behalf of another in a particular matter in circumstances which give rise to a relationship of the utmost trust and confidence. Furthermore, a fiduciary duty is the highest standard of care in equity or law. A fiduciary is expected to be extremely loyal to the person to whom they owe the duty and must not profit from the position as a fiduciary. A fiduciary can receive a fee for services; however, they should not profit at the expense of the other party.

FIDUCIARY ROLES WITHIN AN ESTATE PLAN. Although every estate plan is unique, the average plan will have more than one fiduciary role within the plan. The most common examples of fiduciary roles in an estate plan include:

* Personal Representative — When you create your Will, you will be required to appoint a Personal Representative (formerly called an "Executor") who is responsible for overseeing the administration of your estate during the probate process.

* Trustee — If your estate plan includes creation of a testamentary Trust in your Will or a Revocable Living Trust Agreement, an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, a Grantor Retained Interest Trust, a Charitable Remainder Trust, a Qualified Personal Residence Trust, a Qualified Domestic Trust, or any other kind of Trust into your estate plan, you will need to appoint a Trustee. Your Trustee will manage and invest trust assets as well as administer the Trust Agreement using the terms you created.

* Agent in a Power of Attorney – When you create a Power of Attorney you must appoint an Agent (or "attorney-in-fact") who will have the legal authority to act on your behalf in legal matters .

* Health Care Agent – If you create a Health Care Power of Attorney, you will need to appoint an Agent to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself because of your incapacity.

HOW TO APPOINT THE RIGHT FIDUCIARY. Appointing the wrong person to a fiduciary role is among the most common estate planning mistakes. To help prevent you from making a mistake, ask yourself the following five questions when choosing a fiduciary:

* Do they have the necessary skills/experience? Not all fiduciary roles require special skills, but some do. A Trustee, for example, should ideally have a legal and/or financial background.

* Is this someone I trust implicitly? A fiduciary typically makes extremely important decisions as well as handles valuable assets. You must be able to trust a fiduciary unquestionably.

* Will this person be capable of fulfilling the role? Does the person live close enough? Will their job allow sufficient time to perform the duties required? Will the person be able to set aside emotions and think clearly when necessary?

* Is this person willing to accept the appointment? Never assume that someone is willing to be your Personal Representative, Trustee, or Agent. Always ask them directly before appointing them.

* Does appointing this person create any conflicts? There are numerous potential conflicts in an estate plan. For example, if your Trustee has an existing personal relationship with one beneficiary but not with the others, it can create a conflict.

If you have questions about appointing fiduciaries in your estate plan, or have estate planning questions in general, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today. We proudly represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

Our law firm provides full-service legal advice and representation to nonprofit organizations doing business in Washington and Idaho and to charitable donors and philanthropists.

Our law firm provides full-service legal advice and representation to nonprofit organizations doing business in Washington and Idaho and to charitable donors and philanthropists. We assist charitable organizations with planning, programming, governance, employment, facilities, tax, and contract negotiation and enforcement. We also assist individuals in developing tax-advantaged charitable giving plans. Our lawyers also serve as board members and officers of prominent local nonprofit organizations. We also provide counseling, transactional, and dispute resolution services in an efficient and practical manner.

We are experienced in providing the following services:

* Formation and Qualification. Formation and qualification of IRC § 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(7) organizations.

* Tax, Corporate, and Finance. We advise exempt organizations on issues relating to their tax status. We assist with mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, financing, bridge loans, and issues related to for-profit and nonprofit subsidiaries.

* Governance. We assist boards of directors in the development, refinement, and updating of corporate documents and the formulation and implementation of best practices policies.

* Facilities. We assist in the leasing, planning, and operation of headquarters buildings and program facilities.

* Employment. We assist organizations by designing and reviewing employee handbooks and policies, conducting management training, and advising on compliance matters. We help negotiate and prepare executive employment agreements and advise on the administration of retirement, health, deferred compensation, and other employee benefit plans.

* Philanthropy. Our donor-related charitable planning activities range from structuring tax-advantaged gifts to establishing family foundations, charitable trusts (including both charitable remainder and charitable lead trusts), donor advised funds, restricted fund agreements, and supporting organizations.

* Civic, Pro Bono, and Support Activities. We provide a substantial number of hours of pro bono legal services to dozens of individuals and to several nonprofit organizations.

If you are part of a nonprofit organizations and need legal advice, please give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

Divorce is a major life change. One thing that often gets overlooked in divorce proceedings is the importance of reworking your estate plan.

Creating an estate plan is essential regardless of the size or nature of your estate. When making your plan, your lawyer undoubtedly told you to revisit it regularly, especially after critical life changes. Divorce is one such change. Separating two intertwined lives is never easy, emotionally or financially. You must face significant changes in your relationship with your spouse, kids, in-laws, and shared friends. Major financial changes are also on your mind. But one thing that is often overlooked in the midst of divorce proceedings is the importance of protecting assets from divorce by reworking estate planning documents.

Luckily, the Washington State Legislature recognizes that many people fail to revisit their estate plans post-divorce. Therefore, it has created laws that help ensure that your ex spouse won’t inherit after you die. And while that provides a modicum of relief, it is risky to rely on such laws.

WASHINGTON STATE LAW. Any estate plan created while you’re married likely names your spouse as beneficiary and heir to most of your estate. If you fail to revisit your plan after divorce, theoretically, your ex spouse still inherits your assets when you die. But the Revised Code of Washington Section 11.12.051 seeks to lessen this unfair result by invalidating portions of your Will that benefit your spouse after divorce. The law essentially states that an ex spouse will not inherit unless you included specific language in your Will preserving inheritance rights even after divorce. In the absence of such a provision, state law mandates the estate pass on as if your ex spouse had died before you.

This law was enacted with the best of intentions and can stop unfair results from happening. However, no law covers every eventuality, and each estate is unique. For instance, if a provision in your plan was that an in-law inherits part of your estate or is to serve in a fiduciary position for your estate, that provision is not nullified post-divorce. This and any number of other factors may work against your wishes. The only way to eliminate confusion and ensure that your intentions are honored is to rework your estate plan as soon as possible after finalizing your divorce.

PROTECTING ASSETS FROM DIVORCE. Even if you didn't create a Will before your divorce, this is a great time to make one. The divorce process already has you thinking about your future. So why not take the plunge and get all of your ducks in a row now? If you do have a Will, taking the time to go over it with your lawyer and think through its provisions is time well spent. Although state law essentially ignores parts of your Will that left money and property to your ex, unless you create a Will that reflects your new desires, you have no control over how those assets are then distributed. Supposedly, the assets will pass as if your spouse died before you.

REASONS TO UPDATE YOUR WILL. But do you even remember what those provisions in your Will are? Who did you list as “next in line,” if anyone? Do you still want that person to inherit or serve as Personal Representative of your estate? Most likely, when you rework your Will you’ll be surprised at how much the intervening years have altered your wishes. You may even be surprised at some of the decisions you made 15 or 20 years ago. Perhaps you stated that if your spouse dies before you, or you die at the same time, your spouse’s children from another marriage inherit your assets. Or perhaps you bequeathed a portion of your estate to your spouse’s best friend. Or maybe you named your ex's brother as your Personal Representative. Taking the time to ensure that your downline is intact and matches your current wishes is essential to protecting your assets from ending up in the wrong hands after you die.

Also, suppose that you originally named your brother-in-law and his wife as guardians of your children. But now your ex brother-in-law hates you and is the last person you want raising your kids. If you and your ex happen to die and your Will states that your brother-in-law is guardian, there is a strong chance your children will grow up in the home of someone who hates you.

HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY. When you create a Will, it is typical to sign peripheral documents like Directives to Physicians and Powers of Attorney. These documents ensure that if you are incapacitated, someone you appoint can:

* Make healthcare decisions for you;

* Make legal decisions for you; and

* Make financial decisions for you.

Directives to Physicians also dictate your wishes regarding being kept alive by life support if you enter into a vegetative state. If you appointed your spouse or a friend or family member of your spouse to make these critical decisions, you may want to update these documents as well.

TRUSTS. While married, many couples create Trusts for themselves or their children. In most instances, they name one another as beneficiaries or Trustees who control the distribution of assets. If you do not revisit these Trusts and change the designations, you may end up with your ex having control of assets after you pass.

WHAT ABOUT NONPROBATE ASSETS? You may know that certain assets do not pass through probate. Because you specifically name a beneficiary when forming these assets, they do not have to go through probate to get to the intended recipient. Nonprobate assets include life insurance policies, retirement accounts, pensions, payable-on-death bank accounts, and transfer-on-death investment accounts. You should change the listed beneficiaries to reflect your current wishes after divorce.

WE CAN HELP. We have 26 years of experience in estate planning matters. Our firm has helped hundreds of clients with their estate planning needs. We know your concerns. We know the hardship and emotional upheaval of divorce, and our goal is to make this process as peaceful and stress-free as possible. Afterward, a divorce, we will work with you to ensure your estate plan properly reflects your current wishes. So call us directly or contact us online today for a consultation.

If your family is of the "Leave it to Beaver" variety, then your estate plan will be pretty straightforward. If not, it's not as simple and you're not alone.

Is your family of the “Leave It to Beaver” variety -- opposite-sex parents, the first marriage for each, one or more kids, all healthy and thriving? If so, your estate plan will probably be pretty straightforward. But if not, it's not as simple and you have a lot of company.

The percentage of married households in the U.S. fell from 75% in 1960 to 49% in 2020. About 40% of all marriages end in divorce. Nearly 80% of people who divorce remarry -- accounting for a pretty large proportion of the 49% of American households that are married.

About 1.5 million babies a year are born to unmarried women, more than a third of all births. This can complicate matters, especially when the father is not identified or, in the case of donated sperm, does not exist. It also can mean a greater need for planning when there is no obvious back-up parent if something happens to the mother.

If you are in a relationship, but not married, been married more than once, have children by more than one partner, or have beneficiaries who cannot manage funds for one reason or another, then it's more important that you do estate planning and your planning cannot be plain vanilla. Here are a few tips to consider:

GIVE YOUR PARTNER RIGHTS. There are laws in place empowering spouses and governing the distribution of property in the event of death. Your state's laws of intestacy provide that property will pass to spouses and children, or to parents if someone dies without a spouse or children. But no laws protect unmarried partners or unadopted children. There have been many cases of parents pushing aside the same-sex partners of their children upon death or incapacity. We can all use Wills, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Powers of Attorney to choose who should step in for us when needed and who should receive our property.

BUT DON'T GIVE THE NEW SPOUSE TOO MANY RIGHTS. All too often, despite the best of intentions and good will, when parents remarry the new family doesn't bond. The children from prior marriages or relationships don't become friends with one another or with the new spouse of their father or mother. Frequently, the death of one spouse means that all of the assets of both families end up with the surviving spouse and ultimately pass to his or her children and grandchildren. Frank discussions about what the new couple wants and planning to make sure it plays out as planned can prevent a lot of misunderstanding and resentment. Again, Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney can permit the new couple to choose the outcome they prefer, rather than just let life (and death) happen and the chips fall where they may.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT A PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT. While most people entering a first marriage have no children and few assets, this is not the case with a second or third marriage. Before getting married again, the couple needs to talk about what they have in mind in terms of mutual financial support of one another and of their children from prior relationships. Then they need to put their understanding in writing so that down the road there are no misunderstandings or different memories of what they agreed. If memorialized in a prenuptial agreement, it will also be legally enforceable. If circumstances change, the couple can always modify their agreement.

USE TRUSTS. Wills are generally straight forward and blunt instruments. When you pass away, your property passes to the people you name. Wills do not easily permit more flexible planning. For instance, you may want to permit your new spouse to live in your home for as long as he wants, but for it to ultimately pass to your children and grandchildren. A trust permits you to plan for this scenario, giving your spouse rights, but someone else -- the Trustee -- the power to manage the property and protect it for the next generation. Or a couple could pool all of their resources in a single joint Trust for their benefit during their lives, with the funds remaining after they have both passed away to be distributed equally to the children they each bring to the new relationship or marriage.

GOALS FIRST, PLANNING SECOND. Estate planning cannot take place in a vacuum or based on assumptions without asking questions. Anyone considering planning for themselves and for loved ones, whether in a traditional or non-traditional relationship, needs to start by listing their goals. Is their primary concern providing for themselves? Leaving an inheritance to children? Protecting a spouse or partner? Or a pet? Making sure children are independent, but have a safety net if necessary? Of course, most of us don't have just one goal, but we should start by writing them all down. Then we can see if it's possible to achieve all of them, or if we need to prioritize. Ultimately, the estate plan should reflect these goals and priorities. While this is true of anyone doing estate planning, it is more important the more family and non-family bonds one has because the plan will have to balance and prioritize more interests.

The bottom line is that our laws for distribution of property and rights in the event of incapacity are based on a vision of a marriage between one woman and one man with one or more children. However standard this ever was in reality, it is much less the norm today, almost certainly applying to fewer than half of American adults. For those who don't fit the one nuclear family mold, planning is both more important and more interesting. Don't put it off.

Contact us at 253.858.5434 to create your estate plan. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

If you were injured in an auto collision, you might be wondering what to expect in a typical personal injury case, including how long it takes. Here's a general timeline.

If you've been injured in an auto collision that looks like it was someone else's fault, you might be wondering what to expect in a typical personal injury case, including how long it takes. Keep in mind that most personal injury cases settle, often without a lawsuit being filed in court, so your case probably won't reach every stage discussed here; it could settle at any point on the timeline.

GET MEDICAL TREATMENT. The first thing that you should do after getting injured in an auto collision is get medical treatment. That means, if you have even the slightest sense that you are hurt, go to the emergency room or make an appointment to see your doctor. Not only is this the right thing to do for your health, but, if you don't see a doctor for some time after an injury, the insurance adjuster and the jury will probably assume that your injuries aren't that serious.

CONSULT A LAWYER. For anything more than a very minor claim, it's usually a good idea to at least discuss your situation with a lawyer. You will absolutely need a lawyer for any personal injury claim where you suffered significant injury, or the other side is putting up a fight on key issues. In general, if you are out of work for more than a couple of days, if you break a bone, or if your medical bills total more than a couple of thousand dollars, you should talk to a lawyer, and you might want to meet several of them.

LAWYER INVESTIGATES CLAIM AND REVIEWS MEDICAL RECORDS. One of the first things your lawyer will do is interview you. We want to know everything you know about the collision, your injuries, and your medical treatment. Lawyers don't want to be surprised, so make sure to answer all questions as completely as you can.

Next, the lawyer will get all of your medical records and bills relating to the injury and will probably also get your medical records for any treatment you have ever had relating to the condition at issue in the case. This can take months.

LAWYER CONSIDERS MAKING DEMAND AND NEGOTIATING. Many personal injury claims are settled before a lawsuit is ever filed. If the lawyer thinks that the case can be settled, they will make a demand to the other attorney or the other side's insurance company. A good lawyer will not make a demand until the plaintiff has reached a point of maximum medical improvement (MMI). MMI is when the plaintiff has ended all medical treatment and is as recovered as possible. This is because, until the plaintiff has reached MMI, the lawyer does not know how much the case is worth. The lawyer should also not file a lawsuit until MMI. This is because, if the plaintiff is not at MMI by the time that the case goes to trial, the jury might undervalue the case.

If settlement talks stall or the two sides are two far apart, the case moves into the "litigation" phase.

THE LAWSUIT IS FILED. The litigation phase starts when you and your lawyer file a lawsuit in court. The filing of the lawsuit starts the clock running on when the case might get to trial. Every state's pretrial procedures are different, but generally it will take one to two years for a personal injury case to get to trial. Keep in mind that a lawsuit needs to be filed within strict time limits that every state has set in a law called a statute of limitations.

DISCOVERY. The discovery phase is when each party investigates what the other side's legal claims and defenses are. They send interrogatories (just a lawyer word for questions) and document requests to each other, and take depositions of all relevant parties and witnesses, generally beginning with the plaintiff and defendant. This process can last six months to a year, depending on the court's deadlines and the complexity of the case.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. As the discovery period ends, the lawyers will generally start talking settlement. Sometimes the lawyers can settle just by talking among themselves, but, in other cases, they will go to mediation, a process in which both clients and both lawyers get help from a neutral third-party mediator to try to resolve the case.

TRIAL. Mediation often works, but if it doesn't, the case is scheduled for trial. A trial can last a day, a week, or longer. The length may be increased because, in many states, trials are held for only half a day instead of over a full day. That doubles the length of a trial, but also lets the lawyers and judges get other things done in the afternoon.

One important thing to know about trials is that just because a lawsuit is scheduled for trial does not mean the trial will actually occur on that date. Trials often get pushed because of the judge's schedule. If your trial gets moved, you should not automatically assume that something unfavorable is happening. Trials are delayed all the time, and for the most innocuous of reasons.

If you or a member of your family has been hurt in an auto collision and needs legal representation in pursuing the claim, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment for a free initial consultation today.

If you have minor children you already know that taking care of them is your biggest priority. Planning for the future is part of being a parent. That can mean creating an estate plan too.

Do you need to prepare an estate plan? It’s best not to wait. If you are a parent or guardian to minor children, you already know that taking care of them is the biggest priority of your life. Whether you’re still in the diaper years or your kids are getting braces or learning to drive, there’s a lot that goes into making sure your children are well taken care of. From college funds or savings accounts to the hopes and dreams you have for their lives, chances are you’ve given plenty of thought to your child’s future. Planning for the future is part of being a parent. That can mean taking care of an estate plan too.

Estate planning can be a difficult topic to bring up to your loved ones, and no one ever wants to assume the worst might happen, but making sure that your affairs are in order is a responsible step for any parent to take.

WHAT IS ESTATE PLANNING? Estate planning can sound very formal and like it’s a formidable task, but it can actually be really simple. Estate planning is the process of setting things to be managed or handled according to your wishes, once you are no longer able to do so. Estate planning documents can cover things like who will make your medical and financial decisions if you’re not able to, and what will happen to your home, bank accounts, and valuable or sentimental belongings in the event of your death.

ESTATE PLANNING AS A PARENT. Just as your life changed when you became a mom or dad, your estate planning needs will change when you have children. Though many parents don’t pass on until their children are well into adulthood, there are unfortunate instances when one or both parents die leaving minor children behind. This – maybe more than any other circumstance – is when estate planning is most necessary.

By law, children under 18 cannot make decisions about things like legal contacts and documents, nor can they make legal decisions relating to material or non-material property (real estate, bank accounts, other assets, debts, and inheritance matters.) Creating a Will and/or a Trust with minor children involved will bring an additional set of requirements to the table. But with proper legal advice, your questions can be answered and a customized estate plan can be created for you and your children.

THINGS TO CONSIDER. Every family is unique and each family situation comes with special considerations that will be included in the estate planning process. Some things you may want to think about or talk with your spouse about as you start on your estate plan are:

* Power of Attorney – If you become ill or incapacitated and cannot make your own medical and financial decisions, the person you give power of attorney to will be able to step in and make those decisions for you. A Power of Attorney may be needed temporarily (for example, if a person is temporarily unconscious but later regains consciousness) or at an end-of-life stage. A Health Care Power of Attorney gives someone the ability to make your medical decisions, and a financial Power of Attorney allows them to manage your financial affairs. A parent can give an adult child their power of attorney, but minor children cannot be given the task.

* Potential guardians – Think about who in your child’s life would be able and willing to become their physical and legal guardian. Many times, this person will be a close family member such as a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or maybe an older sibling, but may also be a friend, step-parent or other person you entrust to care for your child.

* Individual family factors -- The age of your children, age of potential guardians, and many other considerations may factor into your decision. For example, if your children are school-aged, would staying in the area be preferable or would moving to another state be the better option? If you have very young children, would the age of a relative affect the care they may need? And, if your child has special needs or health concerns, would the guardian be able to provide the level of care your child would need?

* A Personal Representative – This person will make trusted decisions related to the real estate, personal property, and financial assets that make up your estate. The Personal Representative (what used to be called the Executor) may be the same person you’ve appointed as guardian, or it may be another person. A Personal Representative will manage the assets of an estate and distribute them to the beneficiaries.

* Assets -- You’ll want to make note of any and all assets you have that you will be leaving to your beneficiaries. Determining how you want things to be handled beforehand can keep things orderly and amicable when it comes time to settle any debts and divide your assets.

* Inheritance ages – If your minor child or children will be the main beneficiaries of your estate, they can’t officially inherit until they are 18. If there is a large amount of money or other property involved, sometimes the age of inheritance should be delayed or staggered, with the child receiving some or all of their inheritance at – for example -- 21, 25, and 30.

MAKING A WILL. Once you have all of your information ready, you’ll want to make a Will. In the Will, you will appoint the guardian for your minor children and Personal Representative of your estate, and state your wishes for your assets. There may be state-specific tax and inheritance laws you’ll want to consider when creating a will. Being represented by an experienced estate planning lawyer will make things easier.

CREATING A TRUST. Assets may be given directly to beneficiaries or they may be placed into a Trust. There are different types of Trusts you may want to use to hold real estate, money and stocks, or other inheritance for your children. Trusts such as a Family Trust or a Special Needs Trust can be created for minor children. These types of Trusts allow for medical and education expenses to be paid for the child out of the Trust. Other types of Trusts including an Irrevocable Trust and a Spendthrift Trust can be set up for a child to inherit once they are 18 years old or older.

Your family is unlike any other and your estate plan should be customized to fit your family's needs and circumstances. We can help you get started on your estate plan. Contact us at 253.858.5434 today to learn more about how we can serve you. We represent clients throughout

Acting as Personal Representative of an estate can be a difficult job. Unfortunately, it can be made even more trying if the relationship between the PR and the estate beneficiaries is antagonistic.

Are you the Personal Representative of an estate who is struggling due to a poor relationship with the estate beneficiaries? Acting as the PR of an estate can be a difficult job. Unfortunately, it can be made even more trying if the relationship between the PR and the estate beneficiaries is antagonistic. There are many aspects of estate administration that are answered in the law, and others that are purely interpersonal. Here are some tips for avoiding or addressing a few common difficulties that arise between PRs and beneficiaries.

COMMUNICATE TIMELINE EXPECTATIONS. One frequent issue relates to people’s expectations around how long it takes to receive an inheritance. Most people do not realize that it can be a long and drawn out process. Quite frequently, winding up an estate will take longer than a year. Delays can include the processing time of the Court, the mandatory timelines set out in the Uniform Probate Code, the time it takes to find and liquidate assets, and the processing time of the taxing authorities. If the PR clearly communicates with the beneficiaries around timelines at the outset, they are less likely to begin prematurely rushing the executor.

BE TRANSPARENT. Another major issue relates to the management of the finances and expenses of the estate. Transparency and keeping an open dialogue will often prove helpful in making the beneficiaries comfortable with how the estate monies are being handled. Personal Representatives should keep detailed and careful records of all withdrawals from estate funds. If there are going to be delays or difficulties in liquidating estate assets, for example, selling a house in a turbulent market, sending out updates to the beneficiaries can sometimes alleviate their concerns.

KEEP THE BENEFICIARIES INFORMED. Keeping the beneficiaries informed of the work the PR is doing can also be helpful if the PR intends to claim a fee for doing the job. The PR’s fees are meant to be representative of the complexity and the amount of work involved to realize the estate. If the beneficiaries are kept informed of all the work the PR must do, they are less likely to begrudge the PR a reasonable remuneration.

EXPLAIN THE LAWS. Often, disputes arise merely because the parties do not understand the scope of the PR’s authority and discretion, or the reasons behind certain decisions are not properly understood. Many aspects of a PR’s job are driven by state probate laws, and the powers and discretion given to the PR in the Will.

UNDERSTAND THE FEELINGS INVOLVED. Many estate disputes are driven by grief and sentimental attachments. The PR may want to ask beneficiaries if there are any particular items of sentimental value, even if there is no commercial value. For instance, you may avoid hurt feelings if you don’t drop off something at the dump or Goodwill that has great emotional value to someone. On the other hand, you may also avoid trouble if you properly inventory items and do not give people the opportunity to take things from the house unbeknownst to you.

In conclusion, good communication is key. Always consider how a disinterested third party would see things, because at the end of the day, it may be a judge that has to resolve the dispute. For that reason, the PR will also want to keep careful and thorough records. It is often a good idea to keep a log or a journal of your tasks, as you may forget seemingly unimportant things as time passes. You also want to be clear on what your legal duties and powers are. As always, if you’re not sure, it is best to get legal advice.

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

Limited liability companies (LLCs) combine the advantageous tax and administrative flexibility of a partnership with the limited liability protection offered by a corporation.

We've been representing small business owners and helping them set up their businesses since 1996. One of the most popular forms of business structures is the limited liability company, or LLC. This business structure combines the advantageous tax structure and administrative flexibility of a partnership with the limited liability protection offered by a corporation.

To create an LLC in Washington, you'll need to file a Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State and adhere to other procedures and eligibility requirements.

NAMING YOUR LLC. Washington has specific naming rules for your LLC as follows:

* The name must include LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Company, or Limited Liability Co.

* The name must be different than those of other businesses registered with the state.

* The name must not cause confusion with the name of another business.

* The name must not include restricted words such as bank, banking, banker, trust, partnership, cooperative, corporation, corp., incorporated, LP, LLP, inc., ltd., or combinations of industrial and loan and combinations of any of the following words: savings, loan, association, home, society, and building.

* The name must not include any words that would confuse it with a governmental agency, such as "FBI" or "Treasury Department."

Once you choose a name that meets these requirements, you can search the Washington Secretary of State business name database to find out whether it's available. If the name is not taken, you can reserve it for 180 days for a fee of $30. You should also see whether a domain name is available for your preferred name and purchase it to create a website for your business.

DESIGNATING A REGISTERED AGENT. The registered agent is an individual or business who is responsible for accepting service of process and other legal paperwork on behalf of your LLC as well as submit annual state filings. The registered agent must be a Washington resident or an LLC or corporation that is registered to do business in the state, both with a physical address in the state. You or another LLC member can serve as a registered agent. You can also opt to use a registered agent service if you live out of state, if you want the convenience of a service that's open during business hours, and if you want guidance about legal professionals and accountants in the state.

FILING THE CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION. You can access the certificate of formation from the Washington Secretary of State website. This form is required to create your LLC. It asks you to provide the name and registered address of your LLC, its date of formation, whether its existence is perpetual or limited, whether the business will be managed by the members or by professional managers appointed by the members, and names and addresses of the members responsible for creating and signing the certificate.

The paperwork can be submitted by mail or online and will be processed in two to three business days if you do so online. The filing fee is $180. The form is payable by a debit or credit card online and can also be paid by check if you file through the mail.

DRAFTING AN OPERATING AGREEMENT. An operating agreement is not required by Washington law, but can help you organize the affairs of your LLC. This document does not need to be filed with the Secretary of State but should be saved as a reference of the business's operating rules and regulations.

CONSIDERING FINANCES. An EIN, or employer identification number, is used to identify your business with the IRS and is used to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file state and federal taxes. You can request a free EIN from the IRS. Even if your LLC only has one member, registering for an EIN helps you establish a separate credit history for your business and distinguish between personal and business finances.

To preserve the limited liability protection offered by your Washington LLC, keeping business and personal finances and expenses separate is essential. Opening a business bank account and line of credit are two important steps in this process. This will also make it easier to keep your business books and file taxes.

Most Washington businesses must pay a Business and Occupation Tax. If your business has employees, you are subject to Unemployment Insurance Tax.

If you need help with starting a limited liability company, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.

For many people with large estates, state and federal estate taxes can be minimized or avoided altogether by building an estate plan that includes the right tools and strategies.

When clients hire us to advise them about their estate plans, they are often worried about estate taxes. Without a plan, it is much more likely that estate taxes will apply at death. For many, however, state and federal estate taxes can be minimized or avoided altogether by building an estate plan that includes the right building blocks and strategies. Married couples with assets over the Washington State exemption amount ($2.193 million per person as of 2022) can utilize trust strategies to allow the up to twice the exemption (nearly $4.4 million) to pass without estate taxation. This has become increasingly important for couples who own homes in Washington, where values have skyrocketed in our hot real estate market.

Individuals and couples may also consider lifetime gifting strategies as part of their estate plan, to direct assets to their loved ones even before death. At the federal level, the exemption level is much higher ($12.06 million per person, or $24.12 million for a married couple, as of 2022), but planning strategies can help clients make decisions now to reduce the taxation that will be applied in the future.

We can review your overall estate — both now and as it will likely change over time — to identify opportunities to include tax planning in your estate plan. Please feel free to contact us at 253.858.5434 for guidance and assistance. ​We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

Do you know when to review your estate planning documents and, if necessary, make changes or updates to your Will and other documents?

Have you already gone through the process of completing your estate plan? Maybe you have your Will done? Great! You’re already ahead of the game! But when did you do it? Do you know when to review your estate planning documents, and if necessary, make changes or updates to your Will and other documents? We recommend you do so every three to five years or each time you have a major life event like a marriage, divorce, death, birth or adoption of a child, etc.

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR WILL. If at some point you’ve taken the time (and likely spent the money) to go through the steps and complete your estate plan, you know that the process can be difficult, and for some, confusing or stressful. Estate planning is an important part of safeguarding your loved ones and protecting your legacy. But it does no good if it’s outdated or incomplete due to changes in life that aren’t reflected in your plan.

There are three ways to handle major life events that require updates to your estate plan:

* Create a Codicil (which is simply adding an addendum to a Will). Think of this like a quick, easy update or small change to your Will. It’s simple to do, and an effective way to ensure your estate plan remains up-to-date as things change in your life. A good example of an appropriate time to change your Will would be when a beneficiary gets married and you want to update their name. Another time this would suffice is if you want to change the person you named as Personal Representative. Creating a Codicil is easy. Just formally write down any specific updates, whether that means changing something existing or taking something out, sign it, and have your signature witnessed and notarized. Be sure to keep the Codicil together with your Will - upon your passing, the two will be read as one document. NOTE: Be sure you understand your state’s laws about amending a legal document like a Will. In some instances, you could inadvertently completely invalidate your Will if you update it the wrong way.

* Write a new Will. You can always go the route of writing a new Will entirely. Sometimes, this is the easiest option if you have significant or substantial changes that need to be made. By revoking an old Will and replacing it with a new one, you can eliminate any potential confusion or anyone contesting the Codicil. Writing a new Will might be the best way to go if you’re changing anything big, like changing a beneficiary.

* Make a personal property gift list. If your original Will references what’s known as a "gift list," you can just replace it the gift list with a new, updated one. Note that while a gift list replacement doesn’t necessarily need to be witnessed or notarized, it must either be in your handwriting or signed by you and it must describe the item given and the recipient of the gift "with reasonable certainty."

WHEN TO CHANGE YOUR WILL. Just knowing that changing a Will is fairly easy should put your mind at ease. But how do you know when to change it? Essentially, the “right” answer is this: your Will should be updated whenever you feel it’s necessary to do so. As we noted earlier, a good rule of thumb is you should at least review your estate plans every three to five years, but there’s definitely no need to wait that long should you have any major life events that warrant updates sooner. That said, there are a handful of specific times that really would dictate taking the time to review and update not just your Will, but all of your estate planning documents. These major life events could include:

* Marital changes: Marital status is one of the most obvious and common reasons for amending a Will. If you’re recently married or divorced, it’s time to revisit how your Will is written, and most likely, update it. You should know if you live in a community property or common law state as well.

* New additions: Any new additions to the family, such as the birth or adoption of children or grandchildren, would warrant an update to your Will. One note to keep in mind, unlike biological children, stepchildren do not inherit automatically. If you remarry and have a blended family and would like to include your new stepchildren in your Will, you’ll need to make changes to your existing Will.

* Familial changes: If a named beneficiary passes away, you should revise your Will to either name a new beneficiary or to redistribute inheritances amongst remaining beneficiaries. Likewise, if your named Personal Representative dies or becomes incapacitated, you’ll need to choose another one to take their place. Other changes that would be important could include selling or buying real estate, selling or buying a business, or if you've changed your mind about leaving gifts to certain people or charities.

* Before a trip: Planning a long or extensive trip, whether it be for business or for pleasure, would be a good reason to review your Will and update it if needed.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT AMENDING YORU WILL. It’s normal to feel a little anxiety about the prospect of having to change your Will. But most people find that, armed with the right information, they feel confident and ready to tackle the task. We’d even bet that once you’re done, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to do it in the first place!

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO AMEND YOUR WILL? The cost associated with changing a Will can vary based on a number of factors. Did you plan to use a lawyer or do you prefer DIY? How complex are the changes? What state do you live in? These types of questions must be answered in order to accurately estimate the cost of amending a Will.

Lawyers can charge a wide range of fees, and it all depends on how extensive the changes are that you want to make to your documents. Of course, it is possible to make changes completely on your own, but many people are nervous about doing so and find they have a nagging fear that they may not have done everything they should have so their new Will is valid.

CAN I MAKE HANDWRITTEN CHANGES ON MY EXISTING WILL? Nope.

HOW DO YOU REVOKE A WILL? To revoke a Will, you can do a few different things. Technically, making a new Will will revoke your current Will, as long as the new Will says somethign to the effect of, "I revoke all previous Wills and Codicils." Of course, you could also take extreme measures like destroying the original Will.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS AFTER UPDATING YOUR WILL? Once your Will is updated, you still have to make sure you have the proper signatures and witnesses to satisfy your state laws. You should get your witnesses' signatures notarized so that the Will will be "self proving," and you will want to store it somewhere safe. Be sure to let someone trusted know where your Will and other estate planning documents are located.

It’s a good idea to review all of your estate planning documents from time to time. Knowing what you need to do to update your Will (and when to do it) is important. Whether you just had one major life event, or if you haven’t revisited your Will in many years and a number of things have changed, keeping your Will up-to-date is an essential part of protecting your family after you’re gone. Things change in life, but changing a Will doesn’t have to be hard, time-consuming, or costly!

Whether you have an existing Will that needs a refresh or you’re ready to create a new Will, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can be of service to you, your family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

"Fender benders" are auto collisions that do not cause major damage to either vehicle, but they can result in significant harm to your body.

A "fender bender" is an auto collision that does not cause major damage to either vehicle and generally does not cause serious injuries to a person in either car. Sometimes, however, a fender bender does result in significant harm.

Swelling and bruises from a collision may not be visible right away. Signs of whiplash often show up hours or days following a collision. Even if you felt fine immediately following the crash, in the days afterward, you may have experienced severe pain, or you may have discovered that your range of motion was limited. According to the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, even light crashes can lead to fatalities. If you were in the car that was struck and you were pregnant at the time, you may have experienced complications later.

We can discuss the specific circumstances that apply to your case and advise you on how to proceed. We have represented clients who were injured in car collisions for more than 20 years. We may file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for your past and future medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

WHO IS LIABLE FOR A FENDER BENDER? Figuring out who is responsible for an auto collision is often not as simple as many people would expect. In a parking lot, for instance, vehicles typically travel in multiple directions and turn from lane to lane as drivers search for an empty space or try to make their way out of the parking lot. Cars may be turning, pulling into spaces, and backing out, all at the same time.

In a fender bender involving one vehicle that is moving and another that is parked or stopped at a stop sign, the driver of the moving vehicle is usually liable for the collision. That may not be the case if a car is parked illegally.

Vehicles that are traveling in thoroughfare lanes to enter or leave a parking lot usually have the right-of-way, and drivers approaching thoroughfare lanes must yield the right-of-way. That does not apply if a “stop” or “yield” sign is present in a thoroughfare lane. A driver who ignores a sign when another person has the right-of-way may be found liable for a collision.

A driver who backs or pulls out of a parking space must yield the right-of-way to other vehicles that are traveling in the lane. Limited visibility can make it difficult for a driver who is exiting a parking space to see other vehicles, but that individual may still be held liable for a resulting fender bender.

In a fender bender involving three vehicles that collide in a chain reaction, one driver may be found liable for the entire sequence of events. If the first driver hits the brakes to avoid a hazard or to make a turn, and the driver behind that vehicle slows down appropriately, but the third driver is not paying attention and rear-ends the second vehicle, which then rear-ends the first vehicle, the driver in the third car may be found liable for damage to all three vehicles.

WE CAN HELP. Even in a minor collision, figuring out who is liable may be complicated. In many cases, particularly those involving collisions in parking lots, it is not clear who has the right-of-way.

Some drivers do not understand the rules related to driving in a parking lot. Instead, people often focus on snagging an empty space or getting out of the parking lot as quickly as possible so they can get home. That can lead to aggressive driving and collisions in which both parties point the finger at each other.

We will interview you and any witnesses who saw what happened. If a surveillance camera recorded the crash, that video may provide valuable evidence that can help us determine who was liable for the collision. If we find that the other driver was at fault, we may file a lawsuit against that individual to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

If you and the other driver share responsibility for the fender bender, you may still be able to recover a financial award. In many states, comparative negligence laws allow people who suffered personal injuries to obtain compensation, even if they were partly responsible for causing the accident.

WORK WITH A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER. If you were hurt in an auto collision, your injuries may still be serious. They may affect your ability to work and to care for your children. The medical bills may be causing your family to struggle to make ends meet. We can help you obtain compensation.

If you do not think you could afford to hire a lawyer, that should not be a concern. We work on a contingent fee basis. We advance upfront costs ourselves and only collect a fee if we obtain a financial award on behalf of a client.

Applicable statutes of limitations restrict the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. We can discuss the statute of limitations and explain how we may be able to help you. Call our office at 253.858.5434 so we can begin working on your case as soon as possible.