Insight, Analysis, and Perspective for Businesses and Individuals

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, […]

If you have children, your relationship with your ex isn’t over once the divorce is final; you will need to have a solid co-parenting relationship.  Some people fall into this easily, but for others it’s a struggle, especially if the divorce was contentious. The truth is that your ex might never be your favorite person […]

Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard.  Marriage with a high needs kid is harder.  Divorce with a high needs kid is harder—and most of all for the high needs kid. My husband and I are blessed with two children.  My oldest has been diagnosed with what used to be deemed Asperger’s but is now simply […]

In November, 2020, we published the original post “‘Tis the Season: A Gifting Opportunity.” This is an update. If you are in the holiday spirit this season, you may wish to make gifts using the 2021 annual federal gift tax exclusion amount.  To qualify for this exclusion for the year 2021, the gifts must be […]

(This blog is the third installment in a multi-part series regarding privacy in the workplace.) Employee dress codes and policies can be an important way to ensure that employees properly represent the company’s image and do not offend customers or the general public. Dress codes may also promote safety in the workplace (for example, no […]

It’s been a long, hard year, but things are now starting to open up again, which has many people thinking about that first post-vaccine vacation.  However, there are a few things to consider in planning a safe vacation.  Even if everyone in your family has been vaccinated, make sure to discuss your travel plans with […]

Success is not a single achievement, it is a series of continued improvements. When going through a divorce, you may want to turn your fate over to your attorney and courts and hope for the best. However, you play a unique role in the outcome and must be an active thinker and smart participant. What […]

The decision to sever a child’s relations with his or her natural parent is not to be taken lightly.  It has been said that “[a]n order terminating parental rights deprives children of their right to financial support, their right to companionship and guidance, their right of inheritance, and their right to Social Security benefits in […]

Other states have alimony, but in Washington State, we call spousal support or alimony “spousal maintenance.”  Here is a quick overview of spousal maintenance in Washington State so that you can be prepared for that first meeting with your divorce attorney. What is it? Spousal maintenance is a monthly payment by one spouse to another […]