News Category: Blog Articles
Is There Anything My Neighborhood Can Do to Ban Short-Term Rentals?
In 2014, long before the pandemic spurred the proliferation of short-term residential home rentals like those offered through Airbnb and other services, the Washington Supreme Court in Wilkinson v. Chiwawa Community Associations addressed whether a homeowners’ association (“HOA”) exceeded its power to amend covenants when a simple majority of the homeowners voted to prohibit short-term
Judgment Collection: Using Charging Orders to Acquire LLC Membership Interests
Judgment creditors often encounter challenges when trying to collect a debt when a debtor’s assets are held in a limited liability company (LLC), as opposed to assets held directly in the debtor’s name. However, creditors have legal remedies available to address this situation. One useful remedy is a charging order, a legal tool codified under
Handling Narcissistic Traits in Divorce Mediations (Strategies for Successful Settlement)
In the world of divorce proceedings, the term “narcissist” has become a common label. However, it’s important to understand that merely labeling a spouse as a narcissist does not necessarily influence the court’s decisions or result in punitive measures. While the term may be used frequently by divorce litigants to describe challenging behavior, it does
What is a “Defunct Marriage” in Washington?
Merriam-Webster defines “defunct” as “no longer living, existing, or functioning.” In Washington, a “defunct marriage” is a term for spouses who have given up any hope of salvaging the relationship, and yet for whatever reason have not filed for divorce.[1] This blog explains why defunct marriages are relevant for purposes of a divorce. It is
Real Estate Conveyances: Which Deed is Right for Me?
When considering whether to enter into a contract to buy or sell property, you may come across various types of deeds by which title may be transferred. In Washington State, there are three common types of deeds that may be used: a statutory warranty deed, a bargain and sale deed, and a quit claim deed.
Importance of Beneficiary Designations in Estate Planning
Beneficiary designations are an essential component of every estate plan; however, these designations are often overlooked. As a bit of background, there is a distinction between probate assets and non-probate assets. Probate assets are distributed according to your will during a probate administration whereas non-probate assets are distributed outside of the probate process and are,
Dating Apps and Divorce
Dating apps are the most popular place to find people to date.[1] As a divorce attorney, I hear many anecdotes from clients or former clients who met their new partner on a dating app. However, there are a few considerations people getting divorced should keep in mind when deciding whether to get on the apps:
Avoid the Estate Planning Exemption Cliff: Plan to Take Advantage of the Current Exemption Before it Expires
In an effort to provide Americans with various forms of tax relief, in 2017 Congress enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”). This act provided tax reductions in many different categories, but one of the most significant was that it nearly doubled the Estate Tax and Lifetime Gifts Exemption (“Exemption”). However, these tax
Durable Power of Attorney – One of Your Most Important Estate Planning Documents
We all make important decisions and engage in regular financial transactions without giving a second thought about our capacity to do so. But what if you suddenly lost the ability? What would happen? While most of us don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it, unexpected things can and do occur. For instance, you
Changes to Commercial Guarantees in Seattle
Landlords that lease commercial property in Seattle need to be aware of major changes to the Municipal Code. Seattle recently enacted Ordinance 126982, which introduces significant regulations for commercial property lessors within the City. Here’s what you need to know: The ordinance went into effect on January 29, 2024, and has been codified into Seattle