After a serious auto collision, insurance adjusters may offer a settlement right away, hoping you’ll take the cash before you know the true extent of your injuries and future expenses.

After a serious auto collision, insurance adjusters may offer a settlement right away, hoping you’ll take the cash before you know the true extent of your injuries and future expenses. While the offer might seem tempting, especially with medical bills piling up, it’s often far less than you deserve. Once you settle, you can’t go back for more — even if you later need surgery, ongoing treatment, or time off work. An experienced lawyer can help you understand the full value of your claim and negotiate for fair compensation that covers not just your current losses, but your future needs as well.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto collision and need representation in dealing with insurance adjusters, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment for a free initial consultation today.

In Washington, probate isn’t always required — but when it is, it’s important to understand why.

In Washington, probate isn’t always required — but when it is, it’s important to understand why. Generally, probate is necessary when someone dies owning assets in their name alone worth over $100,000, or if they owned real estate that wasn’t held jointly or in a trust. Even so, Washington has one of the more streamlined probate systems in the country, often allowing for an efficient and low-stress process if the estate is straightforward. Knowing whether probate is needed can save families time and legal expenses — and consulting with an experienced lawyer early on can make all the difference.

If you’ve been named Personal Representative (Executor) in a loved one’s Will or if a loved one has passed away without leaving a Will and you have questions about the probate process, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment today.

The Biggest Mistake People Make in Estate Planning -- And How to Avoid It

The biggest mistake people make in estate planning is thinking that once the documents are signed, they’re done. Life doesn’t stand still — marriages, divorces, births, adoptions, deaths, and changes in assets can all make your carefully crafted plan outdated or ineffective. An outdated Will or Trust can lead to confusion, disputes, or unintended distributions after you’re gone. The good news? Avoiding this mistake is simple: review your estate plan every few years or whenever a major life event occurs. A quick check-in with your lawyer can help ensure your plan still reflects your wishes and protects the people you care about.

If you have questions about updating your estate plan or creating a new one, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.

Running a small business means wearing many hats, but one you shouldn’t try to wear alone is that of a lawyer.

Running a small business means wearing many hats, but one you shouldn’t try to wear alone is that of a lawyer. Too often, business owners wait until they’re facing a legal crisis — like a lawsuit, contract dispute, or compliance issue — before seeking legal help. But having a lawyer involved early can prevent those problems in the first place. Whether it’s setting up the right business structure, drafting solid contracts, protecting your intellectual property, or navigating local regulations, a good lawyer helps lay a strong legal foundation and avoids costly mistakes. In short, hiring a lawyer before you think you need one is one of the smartest investments you can make for your business.

If you’re a small business owner and could use some legal advice, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment today. We proudly represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

Creating a basic estate plan is an essential step in ensuring your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected.

Creating a basic estate plan is an essential step in ensuring your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected. At a minimum, a solid plan should include a Will, a Durable Power of Attorney for financial matters, a Health Care Directive, and a Health Care Power of Attorney. These documents allow you to name guardians for minor children, designate who will manage your finances or make medical decisions if you’re incapacitated, and clearly direct how your assets should be distributed after your death. Without a plan, your estate will be handled according to your state’s default laws, which may not reflect your personal preferences. Taking the time to prepare now can prevent confusion, conflict, and unnecessary legal costs later.

If you have questions about creating an estate plan, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment today.

The probate process in Washington is a court-supervised procedure used to settle a deceased person’s estate, including paying debts and distributing assets to heirs.

The probate process in Washington is a court-supervised procedure used to settle a deceased person’s estate, including paying debts and distributing assets to heirs. Washington offers a relatively streamlined and cost-effective probate system compared to many other states, especially when the estate is uncontested and properly planned. A Personal Representative — often named in the Will — is appointed by the court to manage the estate, gather and inventory assets, notify creditors, pay taxes and expenses, and distribute remaining assets to beneficiaries. While probate isn’t always required, it’s often necessary when real estate is involved or when financial institutions require court authority to release assets. With proper legal guidance, Washington’s probate process can be navigated efficiently and with minimal stress for surviving family members.

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

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) claims often hinge on understanding and correctly using a “Hamilton” letter — a demand before settling with a third‑party insurer.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) claims often hinge on understanding and correctly using a “Hamilton” letter — a demand before settling with a third‑party insurer. After you’ve been injured in a collision where the at‑fault driver’s liability insurance is insufficient, your lawyer typically sends a Hamilton letter to your own insurer, offering them the chance to “buy out” the claim by paying what the third‑party carrier is tendering. This preserves the insurer’s right to subrogation and avoids unintentionally voiding your UIM coverage. Washington follows the “floating layer” or excess theory, so your UIM policy is designed to top off your compensation above the at‑fault driver’s limits — but only if these procedural steps are followed correctly. Failing to issue the Hamilton letter before accepting the tortfeasor’s payment can prejudice your claim, possibly costing you tens of thousands in compensation. In practice, this means before settling a $25,000 liability offer, you alert your insurer via the Hamilton letter; then, if they opt not to intervene, you proceed — with your underinsured motorist coverage providing the extra support needed to fully cover your damages.

UIM claims are complicated. If you’ve been injured in an auto collision where the at-fault driver has low insurance policy limits, or no insurance at all, and need legal representation, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment for a free initial consultation today.

When you divorce in Washington — especially with minor children — it’s crucial to update your Will as soon as possible.

When you divorce in Washington — especially with minor children — it’s crucial to update your Will as soon as possible. Washington’s automatic “revocation-on-divorce” statute (RCW 11.12.051) ensures that any gifts, appointments, or powers granted to your ex spouse in your Will are voided upon final decree — but this safeguard only affects your ex, not in-laws, Trustees, or guardians you may have named. Without drafting a new Will, fallback intestacy rules may take effect, and unintended parties might inherit or be named to fiduciary positions in your estate plan. A fresh Will allows you to designate a new guardian and Trustee for your kids, ensure their financial protection through testamentary Trusts, and clarify other beneficiaries. You’ll also want to revise non‑Will assets — like IRAs, life insurance, and 401(k)s — as Washington law and federal ERISA rules treat them differently after divorce. By promptly replacing your old Will with a properly executed, up-to-date one, you ensure your children are the ones who benefit — and that your wishes are legally honored.

If you have estate planning questions, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today!

Here are some good reasons to have an estate plan in place that fits your and your family's specific needs and circumstances.

Do you own a house? Do you have kids? Do you own a vacation place or investment property outside of your home state? Do you own a small business? Do you have a child with special needs? Do you have a child or other loved one who suffers from mental illness or is battling addiction issues? Are you an artist, author, musician, or songwriter? Do you own family farmland or timberland or own Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQs)? Do you want to make significant gifts or bequests to a charitable organization that means something special to you? These are all good reasons to have an estate plan in place that fits your and your family's specific needs and circumstances. Give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can help.

When negotiations with an insurance company stall or fail to result in a fair settlement, filing a lawsuit can be the necessary next step in a personal injury case.

When negotiations with an insurance company stall or fail to result in a fair settlement, filing a lawsuit can be the necessary next step in a personal injury case. This move signals that you are serious about pursuing full compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages. Filing suit doesn’t mean the case will definitely go to trial — many cases still settle afterward — but it does trigger formal discovery, deadlines, and court oversight, which can pressure the other side to be more reasonable. An experienced and knowledgable lawyer will help you evaluate whether it’s time to escalate and guide you through the process from complaint to potential resolution.

If you or a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker have a personal injury case and settlements negotiations seem to have stalled, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can be of service.

A Personal Representative is permitted to advance expenses out of pocket in caring for, managing, and settling the estate.

In Washington, a Personal Representative (formerly called an Executor or Administrator) is statutorily permitted to advance necessary and reasonable expenses out of pocket on behalf of the probate estate — including funeral costs, filing fees, property maintenance, travel, professional services, and other charges incurred in caring for, managing, and settling the estate (RCW 11.48.050). These expenditures should be documented meticulously and later included in the final accounting to the court, supported by receipts or canceled checks, except that small items under $20 may be sworn without a receipt — up to a total of $300 per estate (RCW 11.76.100). Reimbursement is typically made from estate funds once assets are liquidated or deposits shifted to the estate bank account and must be approved by the court at the time of the final distribution, unless interim allowances have previously been authorized. This process safeguards fiduciary duties, ensuring transparency and fairness to beneficiaries.

If you’ve been named Personal Representative of a loved one’s estate and have questions about estate administration, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can help.

When preparing your estate plan, it’s important to understand the difference between probate and non-probate assets.

When preparing your estate plan, it’s important to understand the difference between probate and non-probate assets. Probate assets are those that pass through your Will and are subject to the court-supervised probate process — this typically includes assets titled solely in your name, like real estate or bank accounts without a named beneficiary. Non-probate assets, on the other hand, pass directly to a beneficiary outside of probate. These may include jointly owned property, accounts with payable-on-death or transfer-on-death designations, life insurance proceeds, and assets held in a Trust. Properly designating non-probate assets can simplify the transfer of wealth, reduce legal costs, and avoid delays for your loved ones.

If you have questions about how to utilize non-probate assets as part of your estate plan, or any other estate planning questions, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can help.

When starting a new small business, choosing between an S corporation and a limited liability company (LLC) depends on your goals for taxation, ownership structure, and administrative complexity.

When starting a new small business, choosing between an S corporation and a limited liability company (LLC) depends on your goals for taxation, ownership structure, and administrative complexity. An LLC offers flexibility, with fewer formalities and the ability to be taxed as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or even an S corp. In contrast, an S corporation provides potential tax savings on self-employment taxes but comes with stricter ownership requirements and corporate formalities. If you’re looking for simplicity and flexibility, an LLC may be the better fit; if you’re planning to pay yourself a reasonable salary and reinvest profits, the S corp structure might offer more tax advantages. It’s wise to consult with a tax professional or an experienced attorney to determine which option aligns best with your long-term strategy.

If you’re planning to start up a new business and have questions about your business structure, 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 for the convenience of our clients.

Today marks a significant update to Washington’s estate tax framework: as of July 1, 2025, the individual estate tax exemption has increased from $2.193 million to $3 million.

Today marks a significant update to Washington’s estate tax framework: as of July 1, 2025, the individual estate tax exemption has increased from $2.193 million to $3 million, and this threshold will now be adjusted annually for inflation beginning in January 2026. While this provides relief for many families, the changes come with steeper tax rates — now ranging from 10% up to 35% on amounts exceeding the exemption (previously capped at 20%). For example, estates over $9 million will face the highest bracket, a sharp rise that could substantially increase the tax liability for high-net-worth decedents. In essence, fewer estates will owe tax, but those that do may pay significantly more — making it essential for Washington residents to review their estate planning strategies — such as spousal deductions, Trusts, or lifetime gifts — to manage the impact under this new law.

If you have questions about Washington’s new estate tax laws, or any other aspect of estate planning, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment today.

One of the key responsibilities of a Personal Representative (also known as an Executor) in a Washington probate proceeding is preparing a thorough and accurate estate inventory.

One of the key responsibilities of a Personal Representative (also known as an Executor) in a Washington probate proceeding is preparing a thorough and accurate estate inventory. This inventory is a formal list of the decedent’s assets as of the date of death and is required by Washington law to be completed within three months of appointment. The purpose of the inventory is to establish the value of the estate, assist in determining debts and taxes, and provide beneficiaries with a clear picture of the estate’s holdings. The inventory should include all real estate, personal property such as vehicles, bank accounts, investment accounts, money owed to the decedent, business interests, household items of value, and any other tangible or intangible assets owned by the decedent at the time of death. Debts are not listed on the inventory but are addressed separately during estate administration. Valuing each asset appropriately may require appraisals, account statements, or other documentation. In Washington, while the inventory must be prepared, it is typically not required to be filed with the court or served on beneficiaries unless requested. However, transparency and good recordkeeping are essential, especially if disputes are possible. Preparing a comprehensive inventory early in the probate process lays the foundation for efficient estate administration, accurate tax reporting, and a smoother path to final distribution.

If you’ve been named as Personal Representative of an estate and need assistance or representation, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.