Recent News

Community Spotlight: Kiwanis Club of Edmonds

The Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 4/7/2023
Beresford Booth would like to recognize the great community work of the Kiwanis Club of Edmonds.  Since 1978, they continue to find ways to support young children and adolescent programs in our community.  The Kiwanis Club supports Washington Kids in Transition, Bridge Receiving Center, Dawson Place, Clothes for Kids, Dale Turner Family YMCA, Children’s Hospital,… Read More

What to Expect at an Arraignment

Washington State Litigation Lawyer Kelsey L. Affronte | 4/4/2023
As a former prosecutor, I wanted to take the opportunity to provide context about what to expect at an arraignment hearing. This is the first hearing after a defendant has been charged with a crime. Arraignments are extremely formulaic - the defendant is informed of the charges against them, receives a trial date, and the… Read More

Pets as Heirs

The Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 4/4/2023
The 1970 Disney animated classic, the Aristocats, begins with the wealthy Madame Adelaide Bonfamille deciding to leave her substantial fortune to her pet cats. Her loyal butler, Edgar, is to inherit whatever is left after the four cats die. Edgar finds out about the terms of Madame Bonfamille’s Will and, after some poorly done mathematics,… Read More

The Difference Between a Psychological Evaluation and a DVIT Assessment

Washington State Family Law Lawyer Anne B. Bennette | 3/30/2023
When dealing with domestic violence issues, it is important to understand why a psychological evaluation is not helpful to determine (a) whether domestic violence occurred, (b) whether it is likely to continue, or (c) what treatment would be appropriate for the alleged perpetrator. Even though this concept has been memorialized in both the Domestic Violence… Read More

Change to the Washington Real Estate Excise Tax

The Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 3/27/2023
Transfers of real estate in Washington are subject to state and local real estate excise tax on the consideration given for the transfer of that real estate, unless an exemption from the tax applies. Prior to 2020, the state portion of the tax was 1.28% of the value of the consideration given for the transfer.… Read More