When a loved one dies without a Will in Washington, their estate is considered “intestate,” and the probate process can quickly become confusing and stressful for family members.

When a loved one dies without a Will in Washington, their estate is considered “intestate,” and the probate process can quickly become confusing and stressful for family members. Washington’s intestacy laws dictate who inherits, but you’ll still need to navigate the court system, appoint a Personal Representative, identify and value assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute property according to state law. Hiring an experienced lawyer ensures that these steps are handled correctly and efficiently, helps prevent costly mistakes or disputes among heirs, and provides guidance on meeting deadlines and filing the required paperwork. With professional help, you can focus on grieving and supporting your family while knowing the estate is being administered in full compliance with Washington law.

If you have probate questions, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment today.

Expanding your small business into Washington can open exciting opportunities, but registering as a foreign corporation requires careful attention to state laws and paperwork.

Expanding your small business into Washington can open exciting opportunities, but registering as a foreign corporation requires careful attention to state laws and paperwork. Hiring a lawyer to guide this process ensures that your company complies with Washington’s regulations from the start, including filing a Certificate of Authority with the Secretary of State, appointing a registered agent, and meeting ongoing reporting requirements. An experienced lawyer can identify potential pitfalls, avoid costly delays, and help you understand tax and licensing obligations before you begin operations. With legal guidance, you can focus on growing your business while knowing that your Washington expansion is built on a solid legal foundation.

If you’re a small business owner looking to expand your operations into Washington and new legal representation, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can be of service.

A well-crafted estate plan is one of the best tools for keeping the peace among your loved ones after you’re gone.

A well-crafted estate plan is one of the best tools for keeping the peace among your loved ones after you’re gone. By clearly outlining how your assets will be distributed, naming a trusted Personal Representative or Trustee, and addressing potential points of conflict — such as sentimental property or unequal inheritances — you reduce uncertainty and minimize the chance of disputes. Including instructions for handling debts, taxes, and personal belongings helps ensure that no one is left guessing about your wishes. You can also add mechanisms like Trusts or other tools and techniques to further discourage challenges. Thoughtful planning today can spare your family stress, expense, and strained relationships tomorrow.

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

Estate planning can be especially important for blended families, where children from previous relationships, stepchildren, and new spouses may all have competing needs and expectations.

Estate planning can be especially important — and complex — for blended families, where children from previous relationships, stepchildren, and new spouses may all have competing needs and expectations. Without a carefully crafted plan, the state’s default inheritance laws may unintentionally favor one side of the family over another, leading to conflict and even litigation. A well-prepared estate plan can ensure that your spouse is cared for, while also preserving inheritances for your children, protecting assets from being unintentionally diverted, and honoring your wishes for your entire family. Working with an experienced lawyer helps you create clear documents — such as Wills, Trusts, and beneficiary designations — that balance fairness, minimize disputes, and provide peace of mind for everyone you love.

If you have estate planning questions, 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.

When neck and back injuries result from someone else’s negligence — whether in a car crash, a fall, or another accident — it’s crucial to have an experienced lawyer on your side.

Neck and back injuries can be life-altering, often leaving victims with chronic pain, limited mobility, and expensive medical treatments. When these injuries result from someone else’s negligence — whether in a car crash, a fall, or another accident — it’s crucial to have an experienced lawyer on your side. Insurance companies may try to downplay the seriousness of spinal and connective tissue injuries, offering settlements that don’t come close to covering long-term needs. A skilled lawyer can gather medical evidence, work with experts, and advocate aggressively to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing care. Hiring the right lawyer can make all the difference in securing a fair outcome and giving you the support you need to move forward.

If you or a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker have been injured and need legal representation, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to make an appointment for a free initial consultation today.

When you live with your unmarried significant other, having a Cohabitation Agreement or Separate Property Agreement is an essential part of your estate plan.

When you live with your unmarried significant other, having a Cohabitation Agreement or Separate Property Agreement is an essential part of your estate plan. Unlike married couples, unmarried partners do not automatically have legal rights to each other’s property, which can create uncertainty and disputes if one partner passes away or the relationship ends. A well-drafted agreement clearly outlines each person’s ownership, financial contributions, and what happens to the property under different circumstances, ensuring your wishes are respected and reducing the risk of costly conflicts. By including such an agreement in your estate plan, you protect both your investment and your partner, while bringing peace of mind and clarity to a relationship built on trust.

A Charitable Trust can be a powerful tool to incorporate your values into your estate plan while also providing tax benefits for you and your heirs.

A Charitable Trust can be a powerful tool to incorporate your values into your estate plan while also providing tax benefits for you and your heirs. By placing assets into a Charitable Trust, you can support causes that matter to you — whether that’s education, health care, the arts, or local community programs — while potentially reducing estate and income taxes. Depending on the type of Trust, you may even provide an income stream to yourself or your family before the remainder goes to charity. Because Charitable Trusts are highly customizable, they allow you to leave a legacy that reflects your priorities and provides lasting impact well beyond your lifetime.

If you have questions about using Charitable Trusts as part of your estate plan, 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.

In Washington, a valid Will must meet a few important legal requirements to ensure it can be enforced after your death.

In Washington, a valid Will must meet a few important legal requirements to ensure it can be enforced after your death. The person making the Will (the “testator”) must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind. The Will must be in writing and signed by the testator — or by someone else at the testator’s direction and in their presence. In addition, the Will must be witnessed by at least two competent individuals who sign it in the testator’s presence. While notarization is not required for validity, having the Will notarized as a “self-proving” Will can make probate easier by eliminating the need for witnesses to testify later. Because mistakes can easily lead to disputes or even invalidate your Will, working with an experienced lawyer in Washington is the best way to ensure your wishes are carried out smoothly.

If you have questions about making a Will, 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.

Running a small business or nonprofit in Washington comes with plenty of moving parts, and it’s easy to put legal planning on the back burner — but that’s often where the biggest risks hide.

Running a small business or nonprofit in Washington comes with plenty of moving parts, and it’s easy to put legal planning on the back burner — but that’s often where the biggest risks hide. Choosing the right entity structure, keeping up with state and federal compliance, drafting solid contracts, and protecting your organization from liability are all key to long-term success. A lawyer who understands the unique needs of small businesses and nonprofits can help you build a strong legal foundation, so you can focus on growth and serving your community with confidence. Proactive legal guidance isn’t just about avoiding costly mistakes — it’s about setting your organization up to thrive.

If you’re a small business owner or director of a nonprofit corporation and have legal questions, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today!

Here in Washington, estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or something to put off until later in life — it’s an important step for nearly everyone.

Here in Washington, estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or something to put off until later in life — it’s an important step for nearly everyone. Washington has its own estate tax with an exemption that is significantly lower than the federal level, which means more families may be affected than they realize. Without a solid plan in place, your loved ones could face unnecessary taxes, delays, and even disputes in court. By creating a well-crafted estate plan, you can protect your family, ensure your wishes are carried out, and reduce the stress and financial burden left behind. Working with an experienced estate planning lawyer can help you navigate the state’s unique laws and give you peace of mind for the future.

Estate plans aren't built in a vacuum — they're often the result of your lawyer and your financial advisor working together to protect assets, minimize taxes, and ensure your wishes are carried out.

A strong estate plan isn’t built in a vacuum — it’s often the result of your estate planning lawyer and your financial advisor working together to protect your assets, minimize taxes, and ensure your wishes are carried out. Your lawyer focuses on the legal side — drafting Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney that reflect your goals and comply with state law — while your financial advisor manages your investments, retirement accounts, and insurance to make sure the numbers align with your plan. When they collaborate, they can identify gaps, avoid conflicting strategies, and create a seamless roadmap that safeguards your legacy and provides clarity for your loved ones.

If you have estate planning questions, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can be of service.

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.