Recent News

Washington was the first state to enact the new Parentage Act in 2018, based on the 2017 Uniform Parentage Act.   This update to the Parentage Act addresses issues related to same-sex couples, surrogacy, the right of a child to genetic information, de facto parentage, and parentage of children conceived through sexual assault.      Perhaps… Read More

The IRS published the Adoption Tax Credit figures and adjustments for 2020.  The new maximum dollar amount allowed for the tax credit tax in 2020 is $14,300 per child (it was $14,080 in 2019).  The Adoption Tax Credit begins to phase out for those families whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds $214,520, and phases out completely for families with modified adjusted gross… Read More

Do you remember that old real estate contract your parents entered into in the 1970s to buy the family home?  Or perhaps that loan they took out against the home in the 1980s that they paid off after a few years?  It is possible that your parents decided that these long completed real estate transactions… Read More

Selling a home involves an almost overwhelming number of considerations.  How should you stage your home?  What will be your listing price?  How many open houses should you have?  Does your house need any touch ups?  The list can go on and on.  Indeed, even after an offer is accepted, a seller still has to… Read More

Civil or criminal lawsuits involving witness testimony frequently require subpoenas. A subpoena is a legal document commanding a person or business to provide testimony at various court proceedings (e.g. trial or deposition) or present relevant documents to a party to a lawsuit.  When subpoenaing a witness in Washington state, there are specific steps the lawyer… Read More

The decision to initiate litigation can be a complicated calculation fraught with emotional and financial consequences.  It behooves individuals to proceed deliberately, and with caution, so that they can see the road ahead of them as clearly as possible.  In many instances, this involves consultation with legal counsel to understand the legal ramifications of a… Read More

Beresford Booth is excited to welcome Lisa H. Do to the growing Beresford Booth team of lawyers.  Lisa joins the family law group and brings extensive courtroom and trial experience from her years of practice in King and Snohomish County. Lisa’s experience includes all areas of family law including contested/uncontested divorces, spousal support, child support,… Read More

If you have a LLC or corporation registered with the Washington Secretary of State, be aware of scams and misleading letters. Scammers have been increasing their efforts, especially against new business owners. These hoaxes suggest you are required to pay for certificates, posters, or other documentation, when in fact, the state requires no such documentation… Read More

Each district court in Washington State has a small claims division that provides an avenue for parties to resolve small monetary disputes.  This division is generally referred to as small claims court.  Small claims court utilizes a very streamlined process so that parties can resolve small disputes without having to spend extensive time and money… Read More