Recent News

When going through the stress of purchasing a home, a title insurance policy can feel like an afterthought.  I have previously written about the importance of reviewing and fully understanding your policy of title insurance here and here, and far from a rote part of the purchase process, securing a policy of title insurance has significant implications.  Though… Read More

EDMONDS, WA, (June 1, 2022) – Edmonds-based full-service law firm Beresford Booth announced today that it promoted Babak Shamsi, an experienced real estate and business lawyer, to partner in the firm. “We are delighted to have Babak as a partner,” said David C. Tingstad, the firm’s Managing Partner. “Babak has been an outstanding lawyer at the… Read More

In Washington, one way a real estate owner can grant another real estate owner the right to use the first real owner’s real estate for a particular purpose is for the first owner to grant the second owner an easement.  Under Washington law, an easement is an interest in real estate.  It is a non-possessory… Read More

May 26th, 2022 attorneys David C. Tingstad and Todd J. Cook discuss the direct v. derivative conundrum and why it matters. Read More

A personal representative or administrator of an estate stands in the shoes of the deceased person for the express purpose of wrapping up their worldly affairs.  The trustee of a trust is responsible for maintaining the property in the trust in a way that maximizes the benefit received by the beneficiaries of that trust.  In… Read More

May 19th, 2022 Attorney Susan O’Toole and her guests, attorney Soloman Kim, Judge Helen Halpert (Ret.), and Judge Michael Downes (Ret.), discuss mediation in high conflict cases. Read More

Consider a very stressful, but not uncommon, scenario: a process server has just knocked on your door and served you with a lawsuit.  Perhaps a disgruntled homeowner has sued you as a member of the association’s board of directors.  Perhaps a neighbor has sued you for adverse possession of a portion of your property.  Perhaps… Read More

Adverse possession is a legal doctrine under which Person X can establish real estate ownership over a portion of land held in record title by Person Y through X’s consistent use (i.e. possession) of Y’s property. Here is an overview: beresfordlaw.com/adverse-possession-in-washington-state/. Adverse possession is codified under RCW 7.28 et seq. Generally, one cannot adversely possess against… Read More

Families must make a number of decisions in the adoption process. Foremost among them, in Washington State, is the decision of whether or not to pursue an “open” or a “closed” adoption. Washington is one of a few states that allows adoptive parents, birth parents, and if appropriate, the child, to enter into a legally… Read More