Recent News

In a recent Washington State Court of Appeals case, the appellate court indicated a termination trial (i.e., the termination of a parent-child relationship) in an adoption matter should be open to the public. Because of a procedural error, the appellate Court did not make such a ruling but ruled the appellant father, whose parental rights… Read More

Edmonds Full-Service Law Firm, Beresford Booth, announces their support of local students through their Premier Sponsorship of Edmonds School District Scholar-Athlete scholarships. The Scholar-Athlete program honors graduating senior athletes who excel in sports and in the classroom. Four students from each Edmonds high school, two girls and two boys, are selected to be honored at… Read More

Washington is joining several other states in allowing the use of a Transfer on Death Deed to transfer real property to a designated beneficiary at the time of death. This nonprobate transfer tool will become effective on June 12, 2014. A Transfer on Death Deed is a new method in Washington for leaving your real… Read More

The internet and television have numerous ads for pre-printed estate planning forms, such as wills, powers of attorney, etc. Sometimes, such forms may be specific to a particular state, sometimes they may not. The selling point of such forms is that you can complete them yourself, often “in the privacy of your own home”, and… Read More

When borrowers die owing more on their real estate than it is worth, their heirs often let the property go to foreclosure. In those cases, the same heirs often do not commence probate for the deceased borrower because such borrowers often have small estates. Typically, the bank elects judicial foreclosure (i.e. “foreclosure by lawsuit”) rather… Read More

EDMONDS, WA – March 11, 2014 – Beresford Booth Senior Partner, Richard R. Beresford received the Edmonds Daybreakers Rotary Professional of the Year award. Mr. Beresford was chosen as the recipient of the award for his 41 years of service as a member of the Washington State Bar Association and numerous community service organizations including… Read More

When a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage is entered, the Court may order a spouse’s name to be changed at his or her request. Often, a spouse will want to assume their maiden name, particularly if the marriage was for a brief period of time. A name change is not limited to divorce proceedings. Anyone… Read More

Your crew has done construction or remodel work at a property, but you are not being paid. You want to file a lien against the real estate, but you are not sure you can legally. You are not even sure exactly how a lien might benefit you. Overview of Liens A “mechanic's lien” is the… Read More

In 2011, the state of Washington adopted amendments to the secured transactions provisions of its Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). These amendments were to become effective on July 1, 2013. One of the amendments dealt with identifying individual persons on financing statements filed with the Washington Department of Licensing. When the National Conference of Commissioners on… Read More