Recent News

If I file for Divorce, Will My Spouse Pay My Attorney’s Fees?

Washington State Family Law Lawyer Anne B. Bennette | 1/23/2023
This is a question family law practitioners receive quite often, and the answer will assuredly be: ‘it depends.’  The basis for the Court to require a spouse to pay the other party’s  attorney fees are either ‘need and ability’ or ‘intransigence.’ Washington is a ‘no fault’ state.  This means that if a person files for… Read More

How to Correct a Legal Description in your Deed or Deed of Trust 

Washington State Business and Real Estate Law Lawyer Babak Shamsi | 1/17/2023
From time to time, parties that enter contractual relationships involving real property find themselves in circumstances where the document of conveyance or encumbrance, such as a vesting deed or a deed of trust, contains an improper legal description. In the case of the purchase and sale of real estate, this can leave parties with a… Read More

Fido and the Divorce

Washington State Divorce & Family Law Lawyer Mackenzie O. Bretz | 1/13/2023
For many of us, our pets are our babies. Whatever turmoil happens in our life, being separated from our animals is not an option. However, enforcing animal visitation in the years after a divorce is nearly impossible and can be very costly. The case of Sherman v. Kissinger affirmatively stated that Washington common law does… Read More

I have a Protection Order in Place Against my Former Partner, Must I Still Participate in ADR?

Washington State Divorce & Family Law Lawyer Mackenzie O. Bretz | 1/11/2023
Protection Order There are a few different types of protection order which can be entered for different reasons. Domestic Violence Protection Order Stalking Protection Order Anti-Harassment Protection Order Sexual Assault Protection Order Vulnerable Adult Protection Order What is ADR? ADR stands for Alternative Dispute Resolution, this can include mediation, arbitration, or a volunteer settlement conference.… Read More

Excise Tax Threshold Increases 2023 – Washington State

Washington State Business & Real Estate Lawyer William O. Kessler | 1/9/2023
Real estate excise tax (“REET”) is generally owing on the sale of every parcel of real estate in Washington. REET is one tax that has actually decreased for most Washingtonians in recent years. Recently, the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) released the graduated real estate excise tax (REET) threshold increases for 2023, effective January… Read More

Coming to Beresford Booth in 2023: Collaborative Divorce!

The Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 12/21/2022
Attorneys with Beresford Booth recently completed comprehensive training on Collaborative Divorce and will be offering this option to their clients beginning in 2023. What is Collaborative Divorce? – The Facts Collaborative Divorce is NOT what you think it is. It is not divorcing people trying to work together, although that is part of it. It… Read More

Washington State’s Pay Transparency Law

Washington State Litigation Lawyer Dexter N. Bradford | 12/20/2022
Washington's Pay Transparency Law will take effect January 1, 2023. Signed by Governor Jay Inslee, SB 5761 will require employers with 15 or more employees to include in job postings (1) wage scale or salary range, (2) general description of benefits, and (3) any additional compensation. This information must also be provided to employees receiving… Read More

The House Passes Respect for Marriage Act

Washington State Family Law Lawyer Anne B. Bennette | 12/8/2022
On December 8, 2022, the House passed the Respect for Marriage Act, which protects same-sex and interracial marriages at the federal level.  Following the Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year to overturn Roe v. Wade, many interracial couples were concerned that Loving v. Virginia could similarly be overturned.   Same-sex couples were concerned that the rights… Read More