Recent News

Adoption Tax Credit

Washington State Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Lawyer Dimitra S. Scott | 7/3/2025
The U.S. tax code presently allows adoptive families a tax related benefit for any and all qualifying costs and fees incurred in pursuing an adoption. The IRS allows a fairly broad definition of allowed costs and fees such that in most cases, any and all fees and costs paid to an adoption agency, an attorney,… Read More

Estate Planning for Your Fur Children, Aristocats Style

Washington State Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer Rachel J. Wright | 7/1/2025
“Everybody wants to be a cat…” or so the song goes. But if you’ve got a Duchess or a Thomas O'Malley of your own lounging around your living room, it’s time to ask:What happens to them if something happens to you? We get it. You refer to them as your child at the dog park.… Read More

Attorneys’ Fees Arising from Form 17 Disclosures

Washington State Litigation and Real Estate Lawyer Aaron M. Dunn | 7/1/2025
There is no denying that litigation is expensive. As a result, clients often ask their attorney whether attorneys’ fees are recoverable. Often times, the answer is, “no.” The reason is because, under the American rule, attorneys’ fees are generally not recoverable unless attorneys’ fees are authorized by contract, statute, or recognized ground of equity. This… Read More

Three Big Changes to Washington Estate Tax Laws as of July 1, 2025

Washington State Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer Sherry Bosse Lueders | 7/1/2025
On July 1, 2025, three big changes to Washington’s estate tax law will go into effect. In its 2025 session, the Washington legislature passed a bill that provided for increases to the individual exclusion amount, addressed an issue that caused the exclusion amount to be frozen at $2.193 million for several years, and substantially increased… Read More

Two Basic Types Of Clients: Principled Vs. Pragmatic

Washington State Litigation Lawyer Andrew M. McKenzie | 6/27/2025
It goes without saying that every client’s situation is unique, and there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all representation.  That said, humans have a tendency to mistakenly assume that everyone else thinks like they do.  Clients fall all over the spectrum in terms of their attitudes and goals in a dispute. The Principled Client The… Read More

Pursuing Off-Market Real Estate Transactions

Washington State Business Law and Litigation Lawyer Babak Shamsi | 6/23/2025
In Washington State, most home sales involve publicly disclosed and advertised transactions. They often start with listings on the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) and end up with buyers and sellers entering into purchase and sale agreements with the assistance of their respective real estate brokers. Although rife with risks, some of which we have… Read More