A Brief Overview of Key Provisions for Small Businesses While large and small businesses are both suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses generally lack the resources to outlast what is likely to be a long-term impact on their business operations. On Friday, March 27, the largest economic stimulus package in American […]
What To Do With An Inheritance
First piece of advice: don’t spend it all in one place! The most common mistake made when receiving an inheritance, even a smaller one, is to spend it quickly. Don’t make any rash decisions, take time to explore your options, and enlist help if you need it. Check out this New York Times article that […]
What Do I Do With My Possessions When I Die?
Washington State law provides for the disposition of personal property like dishes, silverware and other family heirlooms in wills or trust documents. However, a recent article in the Seattle Times discusses a cultural and social change to consider when planning your estate – younger family members are now less inclined to want family heirlooms when […]
Major Changes to Washington Non-Compete Law
For the first time, Washington state has passed a comprehensive law controlling Non-Compete Agreements in Washington State. The status quo of uncertain enforcement and difficult interpretation of “reasonable” agreements provisions are no more. In short, Non-Compete type Agreements for the majority of employees in WA will no longer be enforceable beginning January 1, 2020. Of […]
Attorney Burnett Prevails in Court Of Appeals
Reed, Longyear, Malnati & Ahrens, PLLC partner Jason W. Burnett prevailed in the Court of Appeals for his client Gloria Petelle. On May 6, 2019, the Washington Court of Appeals Division published its opinion In the Matter of the Estate of Michael A. Petelle, Gloria Petelle v. Michelle Ersfeld Petelle, reversed the trial court and […]
You’re A Widow. Now What?
Losing your spouse is devastating. It is important to reach out for professional advice on estate planning and financial management during this challenging time. Check out this article from the New York Times regarding estate planning and management after the loss of a spouse. Feel free to reach out to any of our Estate Planning […]
With Funeral Home Rules Due for an Update, There’s a Push for Online Prices
Check out this article from the New York Times regarding the concept of pricing for funeral homes being available for consumers online. Excerpt: “Shoppers routinely use the internet to compare prices, whether for appliances, cars or hotel rooms. But online pricing remains scant for funeral services, putting bereaved and vulnerable people at a financial disadvantage […]
When Condo Boards and Residents Clash, Legal Bills Mount
Check out this article written by Paul Sullivan for the New York Times regarding condominium boards vs. residents. Excerpt: “The internet is full of websites devoted to ridiculous stories about condo board fights. The tales are humorous, except when you think what it would be like to face a fine for having a tree that was too […]
Paid Family Leave Act
Hopefully this new act and tax does not come as a surprise, as we’ve received many notices from Washington State explaining the new system. In short, WA has enacted a program that will provide Paid Leave to employees–under broad conditions similar to FMLA leave. Employers and Employees should be aware that the taxing portion of […]
Arbitration Clauses in Employment Contracts
A standard provision in employment contracts for some time has been an “Arbitration Clause.” This clause sweeps almost all employment disputes into private arbitration. New to Washington State from 2018 is RCW 49.44.085, which prohibits Arbitration Clauses in certain employment related claims (discrimination, harassment, etc.). Though this law will likely be tested against current Federal […]