Trusted Legal Counsel In Everett And Beyond
Creating a will is an important step in planning for the future. It helps you protect your loved ones by letting you specify who will care for them when you cannot, and how your assets are distributed. But a will alone may not cover every situation. Adding other...
If you will be going through a divorce this year and you have an estate plan in place, it’s important to be aware of any updates that you’ll need to make to it. It’s also wise to consider when those updates can be made. Every estate plan (like every divorce) is...
Divorced and divorcing parents in Washington need to be aware of changes to the state’s family law code that took effect on Jan. 1 of this year. Specifically, the changes involve the calculation of child support The goal of lawmakers was to make the guidelines for how...
When children are minors, their parents have to make medical decisions for them. Young children often get vaccines, for example, so the parents can choose which ones they want to approve. A child who suffers an injury may need emergency treatment, such as if they...
Drinking and driving leads to the majority of DUI arrests in Florida. It is very common for people to drink too much alcohol and still try to drive their car, and many of these people are arrested when the officers see signs of impairment or give them a breath test...
Dividing retirement accounts can be one of the hardest parts of a divorce. Not only can it jeopardize relationships, but it could leave permanent ripples in your financial future. In Washington, courts usually treat retirement assets earned during marriage as jointly...
When someone has been charged with a crime, it’s unlikely that they’ll have a trial, with their fate being decided by a jury. Defendants have the option of taking the case to trial. However, in most instances, unless a person pleads guilty to the crime with which...
The holiday season is approaching, and it can be very fun for children and parents alike. However, for divorced co-parents, it sometimes necessitates changes to the typical custody schedule. For example, when many couples get divorced, they settle on a fairly simple...
Few sights elicit the sinking feeling you get when you see red and blue flashing lights in your rearview mirror. For a few moments, you hope they’ll pass you, but it soon becomes obvious you are their intended target. You remain calm and polite while you hand them...
Stepparent adoption can strengthen family ties. When a stepparent adopts their stepchild, the stepchild may have inheritance rights and other legal protections. The stepparent also gains the protection of parental rights in the event that their spouse dies or they...
When planning for the future of your estate, one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing a personal representative. This individual, sometimes called an executor, plays a central role in ensuring your wishes are carried out after your passing....
In Washington, prosecutors may use your online messages as evidence. Courts review these communications under specific legal standards before deciding whether to admit them. If you send texts, emails or social media posts, investigators may examine them depending on...
As a general rule, you can classify assets that you and your spouse own as either marital assets or separate assets. This is important if the two of you are getting a divorce. You can typically keep your separate assets, but you may need to divide your marital assets...
All too often, people spend a lot of energy identifying their beneficiaries and designating inheritances for each of them. Testators might treat the selection of their personal representative as an afterthought, rather than one of the most critical aspects of the...
Prenuptial agreements help couples determine how to handle their property and finances in the event of a divorce or separation. While these contracts are valid in California, not every term is enforceable. Courts may strike out provisions that are unfair or against...
A traffic ticket or citation is effectively an accusation that a driver broke the law. Police officers who witness traffic infractions can conduct targeted traffic stops. Those investigating a crash can also determine that one driver’s violation of the law caused the...
Creating an estate plan that reflects your true wishes doesn't always mean dividing everything equally among your children. You might want to give more to one child who has special needs, less to another who has already received significant financial support, or...
Nonpayment of child support is a very significant issue. It can have a drastic impact on your life and your child’s life. If your ex has been ordered to pay, they’re obligated to follow that court order. Even if they believe that the order needs to be modified—such as...
When people age or experience medical emergencies, they may struggle to fulfill their obligations and act in their own best interests. Concerned parties can request conservatorships or guardianships under state law if an adult has displayed an inability to properly...
When the police tell you anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, take it seriously. This warning is not just a formality. What you say next can come back to haunt you, even if you think you’re being helpful or just clearing things up. It...
