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Is PIP Insurance Required in Washington State?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is a form of insurance coverage that can help cover certain expenses after a motor vehicle accident, no matter which party is at fault. While Washington State doesn’t require drivers to carry PIP insurance, it can offer crucial financial benefits if you’ve been injured in a collision. Most importantly, PIP insurance […]
New Washington State Law Replaces Nonparental Custody with Legal Guardianship
Washington State recently adopted new legislation that allows an individual to request “minor guardianship” rather than file for nonparental custody. This new law changes the court process by which an individual can apply for legal guardianship of a child, but doesn’t affect nonparent custody cases in which a final order has been entered. Minor guardianship […]
How to Contest a Will in Washington Probate Court
People create wills not only to distribute property but also to give directions on how to manage their affairs. However, sometimes there are doubts about the decedent’s intent that must be resolved even if a will exists. If you suspect the decedent’s will wasn’t properly executed or that it might otherwise be invalid, you may […]
What are the Duties of a Personal Representative in Probate?
Whether appointed by the court or named in a will, personal representatives play an integral role in the Washington probate process. They are charged with managing the decedent’s estate, paying debts and distributing assets as instructed by the will or as provided by state law if no will exists. Washington law sets certain qualifications for […]
How Can a Parent’s Mental Illness Affect Child Custody and Support?
The best interest of the child is the standard that guides a court in deciding a custody case, and a parent’s ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment factors heavily into the evaluation. As such, the court will consider whether a parent has a mental illness that affects their ability to care for the […]
Keeping Personal and Business Assets Separate Can Help Prevent a Messy Divorce
One of the most contentious issues in divorce is the division of marital assets. This can become even more complicated if one or both of the spouses has an ownership stake in a business. While several factors can affect whether a spouse is entitled to receive assets from a business owned by the other, there […]
Using Payable on Death Accounts and Transfer on Death Deeds to Avoid Probate
When a person passes away in Washington, their estate’s financial matters may be resolved during the court process known as probate. This can be expensive and time-consuming. However, there are estate planning measures that can minimize probate or avoid it all together. These include payable on death accounts and transfer on death deeds, which can […]
How Does Not Wearing a Seat Belt Affect Your Car Accident Injury Claim?
Seatbelts can significantly reduce the risk of severe injury or fatality if you’re in a car accident. In Washington, drivers and passengers in motor vehicles are required by law to wear seatbelts. Failure to wear a seatbelt at the time of a collision could result in a traffic ticket, but it does not take away […]
Using Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts as Part of Estate Planning
There are a number of strategies that can be used in estate planning to reduce tax consequences. A grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT) is an instrument that can potentially allow a person to transfer wealth to the next generation with minimal or no gift tax ramifications. With interest rates as low as they are, now […]
