Recent News

A sometimes-overlooked part of estate planning is charitable giving. End of life gifts to charities can leave a lasting impact on the causes you care about and have the added benefit of reducing the size of your taxable estate. A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) can be an excellent solution for incorporating charitable giving into your estate… Read More

Federal law imposes a tax on gifts made in excess of a specific amount in a calendar year to a specific recipient (known as a “donee”). That tax is usually paid by the donor (the giver) of the gift. The specific amount is known as the annual gift exclusion. The annual gift exclusion is $18,000… Read More

Too often, residential contractors (general, subs and trades) call my office inquiring about their legal rights after a problem has occurred.  More likely than not, the contractor calling has already performed most of the work or finished the project entirely.  Regardless of whether the issue is failure to pay, alleged defects, delay or change orders,… Read More

The date of separation in a divorce refers to when one or both spouses no longer wish to maintain their marital relationship. A spouse can show this in various ways, most commonly by permanently leaving the marital home or if one spouse files for divorce. What Can Make a Date Of Separation Unclear? There are… Read More

The “basic exclusion amount” is the amount of a deceased person’s estate that passes free of federal estate tax.  This differs from the unlimited marital deduction that applies when one spouse dies and transfers all of his or her interest in property to the surviving spouse.  There is a basic exclusion amount for federal estate… Read More

When facing legal challenges, particularly a family law matter, finding the right lawyer can make all the difference. It's not just about finding a legal professional; it's about finding someone who understands your unique situation, can effectively advocate for your interests, and provides the support and guidance you need. Here are some things to consider… Read More

Divorce can be a complex and emotionally charged process. It is often an unpleasant subject. Unfortunately, many myths and misconceptions surround divorce, which often lead to more confusion and anxiety. Then you add in “googling” divorce to unleash a flood of information. While this information can appear to offer some relief, there are quite a… Read More

Beresford Booth is excited to feature Homage Senior Services as our community spotlight this month.  Last week, a group of Beresford Booth employees joined Homage staff members to pack Thanksgiving meals to be delivered to homebound older adults and people with disabilities throughout Snohomish County. Homage has been packing and delivering meals for over 20… Read More

Most of the time, an owner of real estate can sell it to whomever they wish, under the terms which they and their chosen buyer mutually deem acceptable.  However, in some cases, that right to sell is restricted.  A “right of first refusal” (“ROFR”) is the right of a third party to purchase property from… Read More