Many people hear “probate” and think of a long, expensive court battle, but in Washington, the probate process is often much simpler than they expect.

Many people hear “probate” and think of a long, expensive court battle, but in Washington, the probate process is often much simpler than they expect. Washington’s probate system is relatively streamlined and flexible, allowing for “nonintervention” administration in most cases, which lets the Personal Representative handle the estate with minimal court oversight. For families dealing with a loved one’s estate, understanding how probate works — and how a lawyer can help navigate it efficiently — can make the process smoother and less stressful.

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

Most people think of estate planning as a purely legal or financial exercise — but it can also be one of the most creative projects you’ll ever do.

Most people think of estate planning as a purely legal or financial exercise — but it can also be one of the most creative projects you’ll ever do. Crafting your estate plan lets you design the future you want to see: how your home, art, music, writing, or family traditions will live on, and what kind of impact you’ll leave behind. You can shape charitable gifts, create scholarships, preserve a vacation cabin, or even set up a family foundation — all reflections of your imagination and values. A well-crafted estate plan is more than a set of documents; it’s a masterpiece of your life’s work and vision.

If you have estate planning questions, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can help. We proudly represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

When your spouse is seriously injured in an auto collision, the impact extends far beyond their physical pain — it can also profoundly affect your relationship and daily life together.

When your spouse is seriously injured in an auto collision, the impact extends far beyond their physical pain — it can also profoundly affect your relationship and daily life together. In Washington, a “loss of consortium” claim allows the uninjured spouse to seek compensation for the loss of love, companionship, affection, comfort, and support resulting from the injury. These damages recognize that a severe injury changes not just one life, but two. If your spouse’s injuries have disrupted your marriage or family life, an experienced lawyer can help you understand whether a loss of consortium claim should be part of your case and ensure that the full impact of the injury on your family is addressed.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto collision and need legal representation, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment for a free initial consultation today.

Boost this post to get more reach for Law Offices of P. Stephen Aita, PLLC.

For blended families, one of the most important estate planning tools is a "divisible" Trust, which allows a couple’s assets to be split into separate shares upon the death of the first spouse to die.

For blended families, one of the most important estate planning tools is a "divisible" Trust, which allows a couple’s assets to be split into separate shares upon the death of the first spouse to die. This structure ensures that the deceased spouse’s portion is preserved for their children from a previous relationship, while also providing for the surviving spouse during their lifetime. Without a divisible Trust, there is a real risk that the surviving spouse could unintentionally — or intentionally — redirect all of the assets to their own heirs, leaving the first spouse’s children with nothing. By creating a "divisible" Trust, blended families can balance fairness, protect everyone’s interests, and reduce the potential for family conflict down the road.

If you’re part of a blended family and have questions about using Trusts as part of your estate plan, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.

If you are an artist, author, musician, or songwriter, your creative works are some of your most valuable assets — and they don’t disappear when you pass away.

If you are an artist, author, musician, or songwriter, your creative works are some of your most valuable assets — and they don’t disappear when you pass away. Copyrights, royalties, publishing rights, and intellectual property rights can generate income for years, but only if they are properly addressed in your estate plan. Without clear instructions, your heirs could face confusion, disputes, or even lose out on revenue streams you worked hard to build. An experienced lawyer can help you ensure your creative legacy is preserved, your beneficiaries receive the rights and income you intend, and your art continues to inspire future generations.

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

If you’re taking over an existing commercial lease or negotiating an attornment agreement with a landlord or lender, hiring a lawyer can protect you from costly surprises.

If you’re taking over an existing commercial lease or negotiating an attornment agreement with a landlord or lender, hiring a lawyer can protect you from costly surprises. A lease assignment transfers all of the original tenant’s rights and obligations to you, while an attornment agreement ensures you’ll recognize a new landlord — such as a lender after a foreclosure — as the property owner. Both documents often contain complex clauses about rent, maintenance responsibilities, defaults, and termination rights that can create hidden liabilities if overlooked. An experienced lawyer will review the lease terms, negotiate favorable conditions, and confirm compliance with local laws, giving you the confidence that your business’s occupancy is secure no matter what changes occur behind the scenes.

If you have questions about lease assignments or attornment agreements, give us a call at 263.858.5434 to find out how we can be of service.

Professionals such as doctors, dentists, and other healthcare providers face unique challenges when creating an estate plan because their practices hold patient records protected by HIPAA.

Professionals such as doctors, dentists, psychologists, and other healthcare providers face unique challenges when creating an estate plan because their practices hold patient records protected by HIPAA. Without proper planning, your successor or Personal Representative could face legal roadblocks in accessing or transferring these records, potentially disrupting patient care and exposing your estate to liability. A well-crafted estate plan can designate a HIPAA-compliant Personal Representative, outline clear procedures for the secure transfer or storage of records, and ensure that your practice can be sold or wound down in accordance with federal privacy rules. By addressing these issues in advance, you safeguard your patients’ confidentiality, protect your professional legacy, and give your loved ones a clear roadmap for handling your practice when you are no longer able to manage it yourself.

If you’re a doctor, dentists, psychologist, or other licensed professional whose practices include records includes records governed by HIPAA and want to learn more about how estate planning laws and federal privacy laws can work together, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.

Including charitable giving in your estate plan allows you to leave a lasting legacy while also providing meaningful tax advantages for your estate and heirs.

Including charitable giving in your estate plan allows you to leave a lasting legacy while also providing meaningful tax advantages for your estate and heirs. By designating gifts to nonprofits or establishing a charitable Trust, you can support causes you care about long after your lifetime, ensuring your values continue to make a difference. Charitable bequests may reduce estate taxes and can be tailored to fit your overall plan, whether you wish to donate a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or a particular asset. Thoughtful planning with your lawyer and financial advisor can help you maximize these benefits, creating a positive impact for both your loved ones and the community you cherish.

If you have questions about including charitable gifts in your estate plan, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can help. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

After an auto collision that causes injuries to you or a loved one, hiring an experienced lawyer can make a critical difference in protecting your rights and securing fair compensation.

After an auto collision that causes injuries to you or a loved one, hiring an experienced lawyer can make a critical difference in protecting your rights and securing fair compensation. Insurance companies often try to settle quickly for less than what victims deserve, and navigating medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care needs can be overwhelming while you’re trying to heal. A skilled lawyer can investigate the collision, gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and, if necessary, pursue a lawsuit to recover damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and future financial impacts. Acting promptly ensures key evidence is preserved and deadlines are met, giving you the best chance for a full financial recovery while you focus on physical and emotional healing.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto collision, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment for a free initial consultation today.

Why it’s important for your college-bound young adult to sign both a Health Care Power of Attorney and a financial Durable Power of Attorney before heading off to school.

When your child turns 18, you as a parent lose the automatic legal authority to make medical or financial decisions on their behalf — even in an emergency — because they’re now considered an adult. That’s why it’s so important for college-bound young adults to sign both a Health Care Power of Attorney and a financial Durable Power of Attorney before heading off to school. These documents let you step in if your child is injured, becomes ill, or needs help managing finances while away from home, ensuring you can access medical information, communicate with doctors, and handle urgent matters without delays. A simple planning step now can spare your family stress and uncertainty later.

If you have a kid going off to school this Fall and have questions about Powers of Attorney, 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 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.