Insight, Analysis, and Perspective for Businesses and Individuals

UPDATE: On January 27, Governor Jay Inslee signed two bills passed by the Legislature making key changes to WA Cares Fund. These reforms address coverage gaps and delay program implementation by 18 months. Significant changes include: Employees near retirement (born before 1968) will now be able to qualify for partial benefits on a pro-rated basis. […]

In a divorce, the judge will have to divide your marital property and debts between the spouses.  The division must be “just and equitable” under the circumstances of the relationship.  But can an unmarried couples receive a just and equitable division of property after breaking up?  Under the right circumstances, the answer in Washington is […]

Prenuptial agreements (prenups) are no longer the sole domain of the rich and famous.  There are many reasons why more couples consider one as they enter into marriage.  Each prenup is tailored to the needs, desires, and circumstances of the parties involved.  What follows are some common factors to help you determine whether you would […]

Easements are a right to enter and use land that may transfer with the ownership of the land. Easement issues usually arise when one property owner makes improvements on his or her property without first surveying the property to identify the boundary lines of the property. If the improvement goes over the property line into […]

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”  ~Winston Churchill It’s easy to instinctively shy away from conflict and with good reason – given the choice, most people would rather resolve disputes in a healthy, productive way.  The question is when you […]

Sometimes divorce means saying goodbye to more than just your spouse. In the State of Washington, dogs, cats, and other household animals are considered personal property. Accordingly, when it comes to pets, as part of the division of assets in a divorce case the court must decide who gets to keep our furry friends, without […]

Too often, infidelity plays a role in the demise of a marriage.  The spouse who was cheated on will likely (and understandably) be angry.  But can that infidelity be used against the cheating spouse during your divorce?  In Washington, the answer is no. Washington is a “no-fault” State, meaning that the trial judge will not […]

You may either agree, or be court-ordered, to undergo a Parenting Evaluation if child custody is disputed in your family law case.  A Parenting Evaluation involves a neutral evaluator who will conduct an investigation and make recommendations to the court as to what is in the children’s best interests.  The evaluator will meet with the […]

What is an Estate Plan? An Estate Plan is a set of legal documents that memorialize how you want your assets distributed at your death.  A good Estate Plan will also include documents that provide for options to manage your assets and health during your life if you are unable to do so yourself.  Estate […]

When you get a divorce in Washington, you can ask the court to change your surname as part of the proceedings.  While you can change it to any name your heart desires, the common course of events involves restoring one’s maiden name.  Sometimes a parent may want to change the surname of their child as […]

One of the first questions asked of me by clients when considering litigation is, “Can I make the other side pay for my attorney’s fees?”  In Washington State, the answer to that question is generally no.  This is referred to as the “American Rule.” Courts have reiterated their support for the American Rule because (1) […]

One day you are sitting with your friend brainstorming different ideas for your new startup business and before you know it you have a name, marketing and social media accounts, and a lease for your store front. In the excitement of putting together a business, you never formalize (in writing) the structure of the business, […]