Recent News

Sometimes, it is necessary to appoint a guardian or a conservator for an adult.  A guardian may be appointed if a court finds that the adult does not have the ability to meet the essential requirements for physical health, safety, or self-care because the adult is unable to receive and evaluate information or make or… Read More

Security interests in certain types of personal property in the state of Washington are perfected only by filing a Uniform Commercial Code financing statement with the Washington Department of Licensing. “Perfection” of a security interest is important because it is a concept used to determine the priority of competing security interests in the same collateral.… Read More

Many people have heard of a health care directive, sometimes referred to as a living will.  It expresses an individual’s wishes for certain treatments if the person is in a terminal or permanent unconscious condition.  A different Washington law provides for the use of a mental health advance directive, which allows an individual to express… Read More

As we are entering into June 2024, a number of new laws enacted this year will soon become effective, including SHB 2347 concerning adult family home information on the Department of Social and Health Services website. This bill was signed by the Governor on March 25, 2024, and will become effective on June 6, 2024.… Read More

In 2024, Homage Senior Services (formerly known as Senior Services of Snohomish County) is celebrating its 50th Anniversary.  It has been an honor for Beresford Booth to support Homage through board participation, volunteer work, and sponsorship support.  In recognition of Homage’s significant milestone, Beresford Booth takes this opportunity to shine a spotlight on the important… Read More

In July 2022, the Washington Legislature passed House Bill 1901, which formally added “coercive control” to the domestic violence statute, RCW 7.105.010.   Coercive control is defined as a pattern of behavior that is used to cause another to suffer physical, emotional, or psychological harm, and in purpose or effect unreasonably interferes with a person's free… Read More

Have you ever wondered whether and how much you are entitled to from your deceased spouse’s estate if they have left little or nothing to you? As a surviving spouse (or a surviving state registered partner, or a surviving dependent child), you are entitled to an award for family support, which is also called basic… Read More

Real estate contracts were a common form of providing for the purchase and sale and financing of real estate. Under real estate contracts, the buyer purchased the property from the seller and agreed to pay the seller the balance of the purchase price in installments.  (Real estate contracts are to be distinguished from the now… Read More

Since the Uniform Electronic Wills Act took effect on January 1, 2022, allowing a Will to be executed in electronic form, the Washington State Legislature is further pondering during this year’s legislative session on the possibility of having other estate planning documents to be executed in electronic form.  The Senate Bill 5787 (2023-24) (now, the… Read More