News Category: Blog Articles
Estate Planning in the 21st Century
On January 1, 2022, the Washington Uniform Electronic Wills Act (“Act”) took effect and in so doing brought estate planning documents into the 21st century. The Act modifies existing requirements in order to enable people to execute a valid Electronic Will. The changes allow clients, witnesses, and attorneys to overcome challenges such as lack of
Buying a New Home? What To Know Before Making An Offer
Buying a home remains one of the largest financial commitments and personal goals in an individual’s life. However, in the current market buyers are moving quickly, making large cash offers above-asking value and waiving contingencies in a rush to snap up a new home. Unfortunately, a decision to waive the inspection contingency can cause a
UPDATED: Two Major Changes Address Living-With-COVID Concerns
TWO MAJOR CHANGES ADDRESS LIVING-WITH-COVID CONCERNS: A national vaccination mandate directed at employers with more than 100 employees became effective 1/10/2022. Although the U.S. Supreme Court expedited oral arguments regarding judicial stays facing the mandate, the Court’s failure to do so to date means that covered employers should be prepared to comply. Under the mandate,
Revitalizing Downtowns Act and Other Efforts to Resuscitate Downtown Areas in the Post-COVID Era
The Revitalizing Downtowns Act was introduced in Congress this summer with the goal of converting unused or outdated office buildings into residential or mixed-use spaces. The goal of this legislation is to amend the tax code to create an incentive for developers and building owners in city centers to transition outdated buildings from empty office
Overview of Washington State Tax Law Changes Beginning January 1, 2022 – Neither Definitive
Two tax changes took effect January 1, 2022 in Washington State, but neither is definitive. Capital Gains Tax The new capital gains tax became effective on Jan. 1. This 7% tax applies to profits from selling long-term assets, such as stocks and bonds. Whether individuals, or married couples, filers would have to make more than
Not Married, Not a Problem: Washington State’s “Committed Intimate Relationship” Doctrine Provides a Means for Some Unmarried Couples to Have Their Property Divided Just Like in a Regular Divorce
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
Seven Things to Consider about Prenuptial Agreements
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: Just for Now or Forever?
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
5 Tips for Successful Dispute Resolution During Divorce
“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
Internal Revenue Service Announces Changes to Income Thresholds for 2022 Federal Income Tax Brackets
The IRS has announced it will be adjusting income thresholds for federal income tax brackets in 2022. Typically, the IRS raises thresholds to keep pace with consumer prices, however October’s year-over-year increases of 6.2% were even greater than September’s year-over-year increase of 5.4%, meaning Americans are paying more for everything – including food. As a