On April 12, 2024, the United States Supreme Court decided Sheetz v. County of El Dorado, California, a case involving traffic impact fees and the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment. The Court held that the Takings Clause does not distinguish between “legislative” and “administrative” land-use permit conditions, and therefore the Nollan/Dolan requirements of “essential […]
When someone passes away, their will typically names an executor – the person responsible for carrying out the wishes in the will. The executor plays a huge role in wrapping up the deceased’s affairs and distributing their assets to the rightful beneficiaries. However, the law limits an executor’s powers to administer an estate. Executors must […]
When someone passes away, their money, property, and personal belongings must be distributed to the right people. This process is called probate. Probate can seem complicated, but this guide from a Washington probate lawyer will explain the key steps in simple terms. Need Legal Help? Let’s talk What is Probate? Probate is the legal process […]
What happens when an executor does not perform their necessary duties? The process involved with handling an estate requires that certain tasks be performed by an executor. When a person dies with a will, the estate will generally have to go through the probate process before the property can be distributed to beneficiaries. The testator (the deceased […]
A variance is when you are permitted to go against zoning laws and do certain activities. It is an exemption that is authorized one time only and doesn’t apply to everyone. The current zoning laws are still in force and you cannot get around them because you received a variance. For example, suppose that you […]
Starting a small business is the American dream, with 17 million new businesses formed in 2022. For many entrepreneurs and business owners, a limited liability company (LLC) stands out as an attractive choice due to its flexibility in taxation, governance, and the protection it offers against personal liability. While these benefits make LLCs a popular […]
Seattle real estate attorneys, real estate brokers, and escrow companies deal with the “lis pendens” from time to time, and many people are not sure what it means. The Latin definition is simply: notice of a pending lawsuit. The Revised Code of Washington defines “lis pendens” as an “instrument having the effect of clouding the […]
How to file probate in Washington State is an issue families deal with every day. The probate process can be very complex. An estate can have added complexity when: the value of assets is high, when the number and amount of debts carried by the estate are high, when many heirs are involved, or when […]
On January 25, 2024, the Washington State Supreme Court decided King County v. Abernathy, an important case concerning state constitutional law with respect to shorelands. Article XVII of the state constitution provides for state ownership of the beds and shorelands of the state’s navigable waters at the time the state constitution was enacted in the […]
By Laura Brindley Q. I was hired as a subcontractor to provide labor for a construction project, but the general contractor did not pay me after I finished the work. How can I get paid for my work? A. If an individual or company contracted with a general contractor to provide services to a construction […]
