The first thing to understand about estate planning is that the Last Will and Testament is the foundation of the majority of individuals’ estate plans. More commonly known as, simply, a “Will,” it is certainly the most widely known document used in estate plans. If you are wondering where to start with your estate plan, your Will is a good place to start. This blog will explore this essential estate planning document Read More
The New Normal: 4 Tips for Starting Over After Divorce
If your divorce is fresh, getting to the other side of what you’re feeling can feel next-to-impossible. Because every marriage and subsequent divorce is so unique, you may need personalized help (in the form of a therapist or counselor) dealing with everything. This blog is intended to serve as a general guide for starting over and embracing your new normal after your divorce is finalized. Give yourself time – and Read More
4 Tips for Maximizing Your Home’s Value Before You Sell
The COVID-19 pandemic put a monkey wrench in many people’s economic plans, and the housing market was no exception. Now that people have a body of knowledge for carrying on life’s activities during this health crisis and states are beginning to gradually reopen, home sales in Washington state are also picking up. If you are looking to sell your house in the next few months, there are some steps you can take to Read More
What is the Role of a Personal Representative in a Will?
When someone passes away, there is actually a lot of work to complete, including settling the decedent’s estate (property and assets) and paying off final debts and obligations. To accomplish these and other tasks, a personal representative (sometimes called an “executor” in states other than Washington) is tasked with tying up loose ends and carrying out the decedent’s wishes put in his or her estate plan. Being a Read More
Need to Modify Your Child Support?
Whether you and your ex-spouse agreed on your child support during an uncontested divorce or a judge decided on the appropriate amount, it will probably need to be altered at some point. You or your ex might have changed careers, your child might have different needs, or physical custody might have been modified. No matter the reason, there is a strict process for changing the terms, which is referred to as a Read More
Hurt in a Car Accident? 5 Tips to Preserve Your Claim
Your first order of business after getting in a serious car accident is prioritizing you and the other parties’ physical health, including moving your car away from busy intersections (if possible) and getting needed medical care. Even if you initially feel fine after a wreck, you should still be assessed by a medical professional; some internal injuries do not become apparent until days or weeks after an accident. Read More
How to Develop of Plan for COVID-19 for Separated Parents:
Article written by Family Law Section of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association. If you are engaged in a high conflict separation, consider asking your attorney to reach out to the opposing counsel or party to first engage in these discussions. First agree on a method for communication i.e. e-mail, talking parents, OFW, texting, or phone contact. Connect with other parent to create a plan for discussion of the Read More
5 Signs of an Unsafe Work Environment
Some jobs are inherently riskier to your physical health than others. For instance, the potential for a serious injury is greater for construction subcontractors than for a typical office worker. The difference between those examples is fairly obvious; however, all employers are still obligated by OSHA to minimize risks where possible and inform you of known hazards. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, employer’s Read More
Washington Premises Liability Explained
Premises liability refers to the general legal obligation of property owners – private, commercial and public property alike – to keep their premises safe and free of hazards to outside parties who may have reason to be on the premises. The legal concept of premises liability in Washington state is not absolute, though; premises owners are not automatically liable for deaths or injuries of people that occur on their Read More