Owning property in Washington can give you a lot of freedom and independence. However, property lines define where you can and cannot plant trees, build a shed or let your animals roam. When property lines are crossed, this can lead to a boundary dispute with your...
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How does an incentive trust actually work?
You've always loved finding ways to motivate your kids. You taught them how to share when they were little, how to work and study hard in grade school and how to approach adulthood with dedication and perseverance.You want to take that same approach with your estate...
Adding a no-contest clause to your will can protect your legacy
Having developed substantial assets over the course of your working life, you have every right to allocate those assets as you like. Solid estate planning, including the creation of a last will and potentially a trust, is key to building a legacy when you pass on. You...
The 3 stages of property dispute resolution
When you bought your Seattle-area property, you thought you were moving into a nice, quiet neighborhood where you could eventually enjoy your upcoming retirement. Unfortunately, a dispute with your neighbor has completely deteriorated over the last year. His new fence...
What is undue influence and how does it impact a will?
The will just doesn't feel right. It says that your father wrote it and approved it. It looks like his signature. But you can't shake the feeling that something is wrong.Your mother passed away a decade ago, so, when your father passed away last month, his estate went...
Do you have a parent with an out-of-date will?
There are few documents that hold the potential to create unnecessary family and community conflicts like an out-of-date will. While it is certainly true that having a will at all, even an out-of-date one, is better than no will at all, an out-of-date will often...
Why do inheritance disputes involve assets with little value?
You know why high-value inheritance disputes happen: Everyone wants their cut. The house is worth $750,000, for instance, so every sibling wants a piece. Or the bank account has $500,000, and every relative is thinking of how to spend his or her portion. Things can...
The many reasons to challenge a will
While no one wants to challenge a will, there could come a time when you have no choice but to learn more about your legal rights.If you're thinking about challenging a will, here's something you need to know: You must have a good reason for doing so. You don't want...
Things to remember before taking your case to court
There are many people who are disappointed when the estate of a loved one is carried out. Someone may have received property that they expected to get, and it can cause issues that result in litigation between the parties.We wanted to discuss some important things to...
About probate in Washington
In previous blog posts, we have covered what happens when a loved one wants to challenge an estate, and some of the reasons that they may have for contesting a will or trust. In this post, we want to provide you with an overview of the probate process, so that you...
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