Insight, Analysis, and Perspective for Businesses and Individuals

Washington does not have a common law marriage.  Instead, unmarried cohabitants can go to court to have their property divided under the “Committed Intimate Relationship” doctrine, often abbreviated CIR.  In a prior blog post, I’ve written about the factors courts consider in determining whether parties were, in fact, in a CIR.  Those factors are critical […]

The qualified small business stock (“QSBS”) exclusion rule under IRC § 1202 is one of the most advantageous and well-known tax breaks in the Internal Revenue Code when it comes to avoiding capital gains. When the right conditions are satisfied, individual shareholders can generally exclude gains from selling or liquidating stock in certain small businesses […]

Overview Start-up and small business founders, owners, and investors should be keenly aware of the 2025 amendments to IRC Section 1202, which expanded the already extremely favorable tax treatment offered on sales of qualified small business stock (“QSBS”). With the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025, Section 1202 was amended to […]

A Tenancy in Common Agreement, commonly referred to as a TIC Agreement, is intended to provide a framework for the co-ownership of real property.  If drafted appropriately, the agreement can facilitate harmonious co-ownership by providing a framework for addressing operational issues and disputes that arise during the course of co-ownership. Before one dives into a […]

Belle Burden’s memoir Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage explores the sudden unraveling of a seemingly stable long-term marriage and family life against the backdrop of the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many readers, the book resonates far beyond Burden’s personal storytelling, particularly for those who may be navigating a divorce or difficult co-parenting […]

When a loved one executes a durable power of attorney, they place extraordinary trust in the person they designate as their agent. The agent gains broad authority to manage finances, access accounts, sell property, and make decisions on behalf of the principal. In many cases, this authority is exercised faithfully and without incident. But when […]

A number of popular reality TV shows pitch a love story that ends with an infatuated couple walking down the aisle and saying, “I do.” Love is Blind, the hit Netflix reality TV show, has resulted in 16 marriages over 10 seasons. While it is fascinating to see the couples’ journeys on the show, many […]

As the Millennial generation begins to enter middle age, there have been several recent articles that discuss the great wealth transfer that will be occurring in the next few years when the baby boomer generation passes their wealth on to the next generation.  While it may feel like you are too young to start discussing […]

It is the most natural estate plan anyone can think of.  You sit down with your spouse and agree: “If I go first, you get everything. When you go, the kids split what is left.”  It’s simple, it’s fair, and it reflects your marriage bond.  In estate planning, this is known as an “I Love […]

To avoid ERISA’s strict limitations in the types of relief available and other procedural hurdles, many dissatisfied employees and other plan participants attempt to obtain employee benefits by filing state law claims.  For example, instead of making a claim for benefits under ERISA, dissatisfied employees often assert claims for intentional or negligent misrepresentation, negligence in […]

Between navigating the legal process, managing heated emotions, and trying to create a stable environment for your children, it’s easy to feel lost or uncertain when you’re going through a divorce. Books can be a comforting resource during such challenging times, offering wisdom, practical advice, and emotional support. If you’re facing a divorce with children, […]

Estate planning is about family. Often, individuals opt to establish a trust to preserve and plan for the benefit of their spouse, children, and generations to come. Trusts are intended to create a plan for the inheritance of assets and avoid conflict among the beneficiaries. In keeping things within the family, individuals often choose to […]