News Category: Blog Articles
Breaking a Commercial Lease: Things to Consider Before Termination
The world is transforming in the post-covid era and business needs are evolving as consumer habits change. These changes can directly impact the space where you conduct business and have you contemplating what to do about one of your business’ largest expenses. Whether your company is growing and in need of a new space to
Washington Family Law: Appealing Your Case When the Issue Concerns a Committed Intimate Relationship
I have previously blogged about Committed Intimate Relationships (“CIR”) and how courts handle them at the trial level, which you can read about here and here. In addition, CIR have also been reviewed by the Appellate and Supreme Court of Washington. Succinctly, the Supreme Court of Washington recognizes CIR as an equitable doctrine “because the
Valuing Real Estate in Divorce Cases
Washington State divorce laws provide that in every case the trial court must order a “just and equitable” distribution of the parties’ property and liabilities, whether community or separate. RCW 26.09.080. This includes real estate. Of course, before the court can decide how to divide and award property, it must first determine the value of
In Washington, What are your Chances of Successfully Appealing your Family Law Case?
Ask any good attorney a question, and you will probably be given the following response: “It depends.” The answer usually serves as a preface to a more thorough discussion about the specific facts of your case, what the issues are, and a general risk assessment based on the legal grounds you are traversing. This blog
Employment Law ALERT – New Seattle Independent Contractor Protections (ICP) Ordinance
For any business who uses independent contractors or has plans to hire an independent contractor who will be performing work in Seattle, an ordinance taking effect on September 1, 2022, impacts what information you must provide to the independent contractor at the start of the engagement and with each payment. The ordinance includes nearly every independent
It is Now Easier and Less Expensive to File a Late Portability Election via Form 706
On July 8, 2022, the IRS issued Rev. Proc. 2022-32 that simplified the method for obtaining late relief for failure to timely make an estate tax portability election and extending the time for filing portability returns from two years after the death of the first-to-die spouse to five years. A portability election allows the surviving
If the U.S. Supreme Court’s Overturning of Roe v. Wade has Caused You Feelings of Anxiety, it Might be a Good Time to Take a Pause . . .
With Roe v. Wade overruled, people are aptly concerned that the constitutionality of same-sex marriage may be in jeopardy. That fear is exacerbated by Justice Thomas’ concurrence in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, insisting that the Supreme Court’s rationale for overruling Roe be applied to Obergefell v. Hodges’ conclusion that the Due Process Clause
Transportation Efficiency and Climate Change: Washington State Continues March Towards All-Electric Vehicles by 2030
Washington’s legislative bill ESHB 1793 was codified as RCW 64.90.51, effective June 9, 2022, and governs electronic vehicle charging stations in common interest communities. RCW 64.90.51 in part prohibits condominium unit owners’ associations (“COAs”) from placing unreasonable restrictions on the installation or use of an electric vehicle charging station at any newly-constructed condominium building in
Can I Appeal a Ruling on a Family Law Case in Washington?
If a family law case proceeded to trial or ended in any way other than a settlement, then chances are one (or both) of the parties is unhappy with the result. Perhaps one party feels like an important aspect of his or her case did not go their way; or perhaps the other party believes
Employment Law Alert: Silenced No More Act
Washington now prohibits nondisclosure and nondisparagement agreements between employers and employees relating to certain illegal conduct. The Silenced No More Act was signed into law this spring and makes void and unenforceable any provision in an agreement with a current, former, or prospective employee or independent contractor that bars the employee or contractor from “disclos[ing] or