If you are a contractor building homes or a homeowner settling into a new property, you have likely heard the term "easement" before. But what does it mean, and how can it be modified...

Disputes involving easements are a common real property topic in Washington that frequently results in litigation. An easement is a property right separate from ownership that allows the use of another person’s land without compensation.

Learning that your divorce, child custody, or protection order case will be heard in tribal court can feel overwhelming – especially if you’re only familiar with Washington state courts. While tribal courts share many similarities with state courts, they are sovereign governments with their own laws, procedures, and priorities.

In a related post, “Your Last Party: Why Funeral Planning Matters”, we talked about all the ways a person can make their grand exit: burial, cremation, composting, water cremation, space travel, tacos, dancing...

In my last post I discussed how a statute of limitations can be extended if a potential plaintiff dies before the expiration of the statute of limitations. This discusses the situation where a potential defendant dies...

When buying or selling real estate or structuring corporate asset transactions in Washington, tax considerations are rarely far from mind. One of the most significant state level costs in any transfer is the Real Estate Excise Tax (“REET”).

IRA account holders typically designate individuals as beneficiaries who will inherit the account upon the account holder’s death – such as “all to spouse” or “in equal shares to children.”

Claims for judicial dissolution appear regularly in shareholder and LLC member disputes. Traditionally, dissolution requires the winding up of the entity's business, the sale of its assets, and payment to all creditors, which can end successful businesses and threaten the livelihoods of owners and their employees

Washington State's estate tax rates are set to change again on July 1, 2026, bringing significant relief to estates of all sizes. The top rate will drop from 35% back to 20%, potentially saving estates hundreds of thousands of dollars compared to the current rate structure that has been in effect since July 2025.

After the fall of the Empire in China in 1912, and before the takeover of China by the Communists in 1949, there was a period in which a number of warlords controlled different areas of China. The United States felt that there was a need for certainty in the dealings of its citizens abroad therefore, for more than two decades in the early twentieth century, the United States maintained an unusual federal court on foreign soil—one that exercised full judicial authority over American citizens living and working in China.

A recent Ninth Circuit opinion challenges the long-standing practice of title insurers terminating their obligations by simply paying policy limits, potentially exposing them to bad faith liability even when exercising contractual options. The case examines whether title insurance companies can prioritize their economic interests over their insureds' need for legal defense without facing extracontractual claims.

A large part of making an estate plan is deciding who will be beneficiaries of your estate when you die.

Many people generally understand that litigation usually arises from an individual's grievance with another person.

Family law disputes like divorce and custody battles are emotionally charged proceedings where stress-driven decisions can have lasting consequences. Many clients unknowingly make critical mistakes that escalate conflict, increase legal costs, and damage their long-term interests. Understanding these common pitfalls and how to avoid them can significantly improve outcomes and preserve the possibility of civil post-dispute relationships.

For small and mid-sized businesses, contracts shape nearly every relationship that matters. They govern how companies buy, sell, hire, lease, partner, and grow.

Families considering adoption often face uncertainty about open adoption arrangements and their long-term implications.

Real estate syndications are often built on optimism. Investors gather around a promising apartment acquisition, development opportunity, or value-add project with the expectation that the sponsor will execute...

When cattle sales go wrong in Washington, ranchers face legal disputes over alleged illness, weight discrepancies, breeding status, or mortality claims. Understanding how courts evaluate warranties, evidence, and pre-sale representations can determine whether a handshake deal becomes manageable disagreement or costly litigation.

In the competitive business environment of the Pacific Northwest, disputes are almost inevitable. Whether involving partners, employees, customers, or competitors, litigation often becomes a defining—and expensive...

Most people think an appeal begins when the losing party files a Notice of Appeal. In reality, the success of an appeal is often determined months, or even years, before that document is ever filed.