Guardianships: General Information, Process, Responsibilities

Guardianship cases are extremely complex. When enacting the guardianship statute in Washington (Chapter RCW 11.88) the legislature’s intent was “to protect the liberty and autonomy of all people of this state, and to enable them to exercise their rights under the law to the maximum extent, consistent with the capacity of each person. “The legislature…

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The Nuts and Bolts of Parenting Plans: Residential Schedules in General

During the divorce process, one of the first questions parents often ask is, “What’s a normal parenting plan?” While many parenting plans may contain similar provisions or schedules, every parenting plan is unique to each family’s circumstances. Additionally, a family with a history of domestic violence, abuse, or chemical dependency issues will likely have a…

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Wills: What You Need to Know

Are there different kinds of Wills? Yes. The traditional type of Will is sometimes called a ‘self-proving Will’ or ‘testamentary Will’, and is the type of Will most people are familiar with. There are also ‘holographic Wills’, which are handwritten and not signed by witnesses, but these are not considered valid in Washington and will…

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Legal Guides

legal guide

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Durable Power of Attorney: What You Need to Know

Who needs a Power of Attorney? Everyone! This is a basic legal document that everyone should have – it’s your “go-to” when there’s an emergency. Specifically, a good time to think about getting a Durable Power of Attorney is in these situations: You’re planning to travel. You’re 18 years old and going on your senior trip.…

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Living Wills & Advance Directives: What You Need to Know

What are Advance Directives? In general, Advance Directives are legal documents that allow you dictate your wishes concerning medical treatment. Are there different types of Advance Directives? Yes. There are Advance Healthcare Directives and Advance Mental Health Directives. What is an Advance Healthcare Directive? An Advance Healthcare Directive (commonly known as a “Living Will”) is…

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Pet Trusts (Estate Planning for Pets)

Did you know that there are more pets in Seattle than children? And we aren’t the only pet-loving city: there are approximately 80 million pet dogs and cats in the United States alone. In 2015, pet-parents spent over $60 billion caring for their pets. According to the American Pet Products Association, the average annual spending by a…

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