Washington’s Uniform Electronic Wills Act (“the Act,” SB 5132-2021-22, sections 1001-1016) was recently signed into law and will become effective January 1, 2022. The Act brings significant and welcome changes to a world still in a pandemic, but like other new laws it also raises questions. The current law in Washington requires that […]
Do Powers of Attorney Go Stale?
Although much of estate planning deals with what happens after one dies, it’s equally important for a person to have a plan for making critical financial or medical decisions if he or she is unable to make them for themselves. This article explains the need to review and update powers of attorney. Your powers of […]
Foreign Assets and Your Estate Plan
Have you thought about your foreign held assets in your estate plan? It is somewhat surprising how often individuals fail to disclose foreign assets to their estate planning advisors. They assume that these assets are not relevant to their “U.S.” estate plans, so they are not worth mentioning. But if a person owns real estate […]
Opting-Out of the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Act
Many Washingtonians are unaware that the Washington Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Act, passed on July 28, 2019, allows the option to opt-out of the mandatory 0.58% withholding on employee wages. You must opt-out by November 1, 2021. However, opting out would require purchasing private long-term care insurance by November 1, 2021. If you would […]
Michael Longyear: A Great Attorney and an Even Better Human Being
Written by our own Attorney Mary Anne Vance, a profile was published in the November 2020 King County Bar Association Bar Bulletin reflecting on Attorney Michael Longyear. To quote another of our attorneys, Jason Burnett, “This is only a portion of the recognition Mike so richly deserves, but it’s a start.” We consider it an […]
Estate Planning Management Tips from the Reed Longyear Estate Planning Department
The Reed Longyear Estate Planning Group continues to work full-time providing you with the best possible legal services during this challenging time. We continue to write new Estate Planning documents, administer Trusts and process Probate matters daily. Here are a few “Tips” to consider in managing your estate plan. Retirement Accounts: Planning Tip from Attorney […]
Congratulations to Reed Longyear Attorneys selected as Super Lawyers or Rising Stars in Washington for 2020
It is with great honor that we recognize the attorneys at our firm who have been selected as Super Lawyers or Rising Stars in Washington for 2020! We are pleased to announce the following attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2020 Washington Super Lawyers and Rising Star selection:
Top Apps for Working Remotely with Your Divorce Attorney
Long before the Coronavirus required people to stay at home, clients frequently communicated with their divorce attorney via phone and email. New social distancing measures, however, have shined an increasingly brighter spotlight on the role of technology in navigating your divorce. The following is a list of key programs and apps that will you help […]
Safe Start Washington – A Brief Guide for Businesses
For the past few months, domestic economy has come to a halt due to wide-sweeping shutdowns and shelter-in-place orders across the United States, including Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order issued March 23, 2020. The good news is that the mandatory social distancing and prohibitions have been effective in flattening the curve and preventing […]
The CARES Act and Your Divorce
The CARES Act makes it easier to tap retirement assets for financially-strapped families during their divorce. Divorcing spouses often face financial belt-tightening measures as they temporarily figure out how to support two households. Money worries are even worse right now thanks to coronavirus-related business shut-downs. People are being furloughed, losing hours, getting laid off, or […]