Recent News

Physician’s Duties Several weeks ago, an article was published (which may be found here) to introduce Washington’s Death with Dignity Act (RCW 70.245, or the “Act”) and to outline the qualifications necessary to receive physician-assisted death. In addition to these qualifications, the Act imposes extensive duties on physicians to ensure the wishes of the patient… Read More

What is the Act? Public support for physician-assisted death (also known as medical aid-in-dying or death with dignity) has ebbed and flowed over the years.  In Washington, however, support for such legislation culminated in the passage of the Washington Death with Dignity Act, Initiative 1000 (RCW 70.245, or the “Act”) in November of 2008, effective… Read More

The “applicable exclusion amount” is the amount of a deceased person’s estate that passes free of Washington estate tax.  This differs from the unlimited marital deduction that applies when one spouse dies and transfers his or her interest in property to their surviving spouse.  In 2013, the state of Washington amended the statute concerning the… Read More

Matthew J. Cruz presents on Estate Planning & COVID-19. .pdf download of Matt Cruz's presentation David C. Tingstad speaks about the latest on PPP loan forgiveness. Read More

Disgruntled would-be heirs frequently attack wills on the grounds of undue influence, particularly when wills contain provisions unfavorable to them.  The dispossessed heir might assume that the will must have been the product of undue influence because the unfavorable provision could not have been what the testator intended.  For example: “Surely, Dad would not have… Read More

What is a Committed Intimate Relationship? In Washington State, common-law marriage—legal recognition of marriage without having formally registered their relationship—is not lawful.  However, Washington courts have adopted a definition for a long-term, unmarried relationship known as a committed intimidate relationship (“CIR”). The existence of a CIR creates a presumption that all property acquired during the… Read More

“I am involved in an estate dispute as an heir/beneficiary of the disputed estate… what do I do?” Throughout my years counseling individuals through the resolution of their estate disputes, this question has occurred frequently.  As an heir or beneficiary in a disputed estate, it is always recommended to hire an attorney, even if only… Read More

For various reasons, testators frequently distribute portions of their estate to their kids, heirs, and loved ones before they die.  Reasons can vary from reducing or avoiding taxes to simply recognizing an heir’s greater need for financial help in the moment.  Questions often arise later concerning how the distribution should be characterized, such as: Were… Read More

Washington law allows a person to dispose of certain kinds of tangible personal property at their death in a writing separate from their last will and testament.  For purposes of the law, “tangible personal property” is defined as “articles of personal or household use or ornament,” such as furniture, furnishings, cars, boats, jewelry, art, and… Read More