Most states recognize that a person has a right to prevent others from unauthorized commercial use of their identity. Washington State has a specific state statute governing "personality rights"...

Governor Ferguson has signed into law Engrossed Senate Bill 6347, rolling back last year’s estate tax rate increase to pre-July 2025 levels and effectively freezing Washington’s estate tax exemption...

In Centrum Financial Services v. Union Bank, decided December 17, 2017, the Court of Appeals clarified the limitations on the right of a junior lienholder to cure a default of a senior secured indebtedness.

A Revocable Living Trust (RLT) is a well-known estate planning tool that is used throughout the United States. For some, an RLT can provide meaningful advantages, including privacy...

Washington State's Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA) grants courts broad discretion to shift attorneys' fees in trust and estate litigation, potentially exposing fiduciaries to personal liability when their conduct breaches fiduciary duties or unnecessarily prolongs disputes. Understanding the circumstances under which courts may order personal fee awards is essential for trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries navigating these complex disputes.

With the holidays approaching, it is a great time of year to take a moment to celebrate and appreciate your colleagues. Workplace holiday parties are an excellent way to do that.

Under existing laws, Washington employees have been entitled to review their personnel files annually, but there were no formal requirements regarding the records employers had to maintain in personnel files or the timeframe in which the records had to be provided.

Employers operating adult family homes in Washington may need to make immediate changes to their pay and timekeeping practices. In a significant July 9, 2026, decision, the Washington Supreme Court ruled that live-in caregivers cannot be excluded from key protections under Washington’s Minimum Wage Act (MWA), potentially reshaping wage-and-hour compliance for the industry.

When an aging parent leaves a significant portion of their estate to their caregiver, families often question whether the bequest reflects genuine intent or undue influence. Washington courts have recently addressed this tension, upholding legitimate caregiver inheritances while also recognizing red flags that warrant closer scrutiny, including isolation, control over legal processes, cognitive decline, and dramatic departures from long-standing estate plans.

A Washington Court of Appeals ruled that a former spouse was entitled to keep $373,000 from her ex-husband's retirement account because she remained the designated beneficiary after their divorce. The decision demonstrates how federal ERISA law can override state divorce statutes and highlights the critical importance of updating beneficiary designations following major life events.

On January 1, 2018, Washington state's new I-1433 paid sick-leave requirements will take effect. Here's what you need to know

Washington State has enacted a new 9.9% income tax on individual earnings exceeding $1 million annually, effective January 2028.

The court found that claims for reimbursement could be made under the Seattle Ordinance, even for expenses that were not expressly required by the employer, if they were reasonably necessary for the employee...

The "Continuous Operations" clause tends to be a hot button negotiation point in retail leases.

Washington State's new Domestic Worker Bill of Rights establishes comprehensive employment standards for household workers, creating formal compliance obligations for families and businesses that hire nannies, housekeepers, and home care providers. What specific requirements must hiring entities meet regarding written agreements, termination procedures, and workplace protections before the law takes effect in July 2027?

Washington State's Deadman's Statute bars interested parties from testifying about conversations or transactions with deceased individuals in estate litigation. Understanding when this evidentiary rule applies, what testimony it excludes, and how it can be waived is critical for anyone involved in probate or trust disputes where private agreements or oral promises are at issue.

When a trust beneficiary's marriage ends in divorce, those same trusts designed to preserve wealth can become sources of friction and financial disparity. Washington State courts must make a "just and equitable" division of property while considering each party's economic circumstances, including trust interests that may not be divisible but significantly impact financial realities.

Washington State imposes strict procedural requirements for contesting a will, including a four-month filing deadline after probate admission and a 90-day personal service requirement. Courts have rigorously enforced these timing rules for over a century, making compliance essential before evaluating the merits of any will challenge.

Washington State's Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA) offers a flexible, efficient framework for resolving trust and estate conflicts without full-scale litigation. This comprehensive guide examines TEDRA's procedural mechanisms, dispute resolution tools, and practical applications for fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and legal practitioners navigating estate-related disputes.