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 […]
What if I Can’t Pay Child Support During the Government Shutdown?
There are few absolutes in the world of divorce, but the unbending nature of the obligation to make court-ordered child support and spousal maintenance payments is one of them. The failure to do so can have calamitous consequences, including the possibility of jail time, a requirement to pay your ex-spouse’s attorney’s fees, garnishment of future […]
Financial Planning with a Special Needs Child
Planning your families’ finances is a daunting task – planning with a special needs child compounds the process greatly. An informative article by the New York Times lends both insight and compassion to this issue. Let our Estate Planning attorneys here at Reed Longyear shoulder some of the financial burden so that you may enjoy every moment spent […]
Anton Cauthorn: C2019 Washington Estate Tax Exemption Released
Every year, both the federal and Washington estate tax exemptions are increased based on inflation. Here are the updated numbers for 2019: 2018 2019 Washington Estate Tax Exemption $2,193,000 $2,261,000 Federal Estate Tax Exemption $11,180,000 $11,400,000 Annual Federal Gift Tax Exclusion $15,000 $15,000 Estate taxes are only paid by people whose total estate value […]
Is your prenup a ticking time bomb?
Just a few years ago, Zack was pulling down a six-figure salary working at a hedge fund. He and his fiancé, Gillian, signed a prenuptial agreement that said Zack would pay Gillian a specific amount of spousal maintenance (aka alimony) if they divorced. Zack would likely always be the primary bread winner in the family, […]
Reed Longyear Attorneys nominated as Super Lawyers or Rising Stars in Washington for 2018
It is with great honor that we recognize the attorneys at our firm who have been nominated as Super Lawyers or Rising Stars in Washington for 2018! SaveSave