News Category: Blog Articles
The Price set on Ransomware – Avoiding the Cyber Sucker Punch
Most businesses today understand that the internet can be a dangerous place. As an organization grows beyond the very early stage of one or two employees and a few thousand dollars in sales, the cyber strategy of “security by obscurity” must give way to a balanced and nuanced approach to mitigating the risks posed by
Late or Untimely Discovery Responses in a Child Relocation Act Case: The Lawyer Escapes Sanctions (For Now)
Civil lawsuits can take a long time. After the complaint and other initial pleadings are filed, the next phase of the case will typically turn to what is referred to as “discovery.” Discovery is the mechanism the parties and their attorneys request and exchange information. For various reasons, it is often a slow and tedious
Let’s Talk About Divorce: Six Places Your Spouse Might be Hiding Assets
Occasionally, a spouse preparing to go through divorce may attempt to hide assets in order to avoid disclosing and sharing those assets with their soon-to-be ex. If you’re worried your spouse may be hiding assets, here are six places you should be sure to check: Bogus Debt Payoffs Did your mother-in-law gift you the down
The Importance of Post-Divorce Beneficiary Planning
When you’re in the throes of a separation or divorce, it is easy to forget the importance of updating your will and your estate plan. With so much happening in the here and now, things like beneficiary designations and estate planning can feel very much like an “I’ll get to it someday” problem. However, as
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
UPDATED: Overview of Washington State Tax Law Changes Beginning January 1, 2022
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.
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