Lynnwood Law Blog

You've spent the last three decades building your business up, but now it's time to pass it down. You want to keep it in the family and hand it off to your children. They'll get it along with the rest of your estate, from the family home to your investments.

However, you know that passing on a business can be far more complicated than splitting up money or traditional assets. What do you need to know about this process?

If you are like most homeowners in Washington State, you try to get along with your neighbors. Some people are fortunate to create close and long-lasting friendships with neighbors that continue even after they no longer live near each other. Others have cordial relationships with neighbors that do not extend beyond that, yet they manage to make living near each other pleasant and positive for all. Unfortunately, there are some people who end up having difficulties with neighbors.

As Zillow describes, one source of dispute between neighbors often starts out with the completely innocent act of planting a tree. Regardless of how slow or fast a tree grows, eventually it may get to a size that becomes a nuisance for those nearby. A tree may obstruct someone's view or put undue pressure on a fence, for example. The roots may extend into a neighbor's yard and cause challenges by impeding gardening or other activities. Some trees are simply very messy and a person who does not have the tree on their property may not appreciate having to clean up after it.

If you have an aging parent in Washington State, you may well have to be making plans to help ensure they are properly cared for. This care can include many things from activities of daily living to ensuring their affairs are in good order. Even a relatively healthy parent should have a solid estate plan in place and review it regularly. This can help you and other heirs when they do eventually die. 

Unfortunately, many older people can fall victim to financial abuse or exploitation and this can take many forms. As explained by the National Adult Protective Services Association, the experience of elder financial exploitation has been on the rise in the past 10 years. To make matters worse, it is believed that relatives or other trusted advisors are frequently the perpetrators of this type of elder abuse.

Neighbors with piles of junk in their yard is a universal problem that not only occurs in Washington but also occurs around the country. This issue can be cause for concern for a couple very big reasons. First, it attracts vermin and bugs. Second, it lowers the property values in the neighborhood. If you have a neighbor whose home is unkempt, is there anything you can do?

Trulia explains that you can call the city to report your neighbor for the junk collection outside his or her home. There are typically local codes that require people to keep their homes in a sanitary condition. So, if you notice the junk is attracting pests or if it is violating such codes, local authorities may be able to do something about it.