Recent News

Lost Will? Recent Case Highlights Estate Challenges

Washington State Litigation Lawyer William O. Kessler | 2/3/2026
Joan Lanzner signed her Will in 2012. When she died in 2022, her original Will could not be located. The court admitted an authenticated copy of the Will to probate. That Will left her estate to her biological son and two of her stepsons, Edward and Robert. It excluded her other stepson, Richard, and her… Read More

Is Video Recording Your Neighbor Illegal?

Washington State Real Estate Lawyer Joshua G. R. Curtis | 2/3/2026
In an era where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, the law often struggles to keep up. One area where this is particularly evident is the use of video surveillance, such as IP cameras, to monitor neighbors. While video recording your neighbor is not inherently illegal, it can give rise to legal disputes under… Read More

Gone With The Wind: Inherited IRAs and The Big Stretch

Washington State Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer Susan L. Alexander | 2/3/2026
For years, beneficiaries could inherit a traditional IRA from a loved one and “stretch” it out by deferring unpaid income taxes for years or even decades with a life expectancy payout. The good times are largely over for many beneficiaries since the Secure Act and Secure Act 2.0 were passed in 2019 and 2022, respectively.… Read More

The Landscape of Contract Litigation in Washington

Washington State Litigation and Business Lawyer J Patrick Diener | 2/3/2026
For small and mid-sized businesses, contracts shape nearly every relationship that matters. They govern how companies buy, sell, hire, lease, partner, and grow. When those agreements break down, business owners are often surprised by how quickly a disagreement becomes a lawsuit—and by how Washington courts approach contract disputes. From the perspective of a Washington litigator,… Read More

What is Going on with Western Washington Real Estate Inventory? (Update!)

Washington State Real Estate Law Lawyer Babak Shamsi | 1/30/2026
Back in April of 2025, I posted an article here regarding increasing inventory in King County and Snohomish County resulting in some amount of breathing room for buyers, but not quite a buyers’ market. Now, nine months later, the trends seen at the beginning of 2025 have only continued. Active listings in Washington State increased approximately 23%… Read More

Do I Need to Complete Discovery in my Divorce Case?

Washington State Divorce & Family Law Lawyer Mackenzie O. Bretz | 1/28/2026
As you begin the process of divorce, your attorney may inform you that you will have to complete what is called discovery with the other side. Discovery is the process of exchanging documentation, typically financial records, but can include other information such as medical records or credit reports, etc. Knowing how best to approach this… Read More