On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously handed a victory to veterans when it decided Howell v. Howell, No. 15-1031. The case involved an Air Force veteran, who was divorced from his former wife more than 25 years ago. Anticipating the husband’s future retirement, the divorce decree awarded 50% of his retirement benefits to the […]
Trade Secrets – A Primer
The protection of trade secrets is a growing topic of concern for our clients. These situations don’t usually involve elaborate thefts but rather concerns of misuse by former employees. This primer is designed to help both employers and departing employees better understand trade secret concerns. This is not legal advice, but a guide to prompt […]
Estate Tax Planning for Married Non-US Citizens Residing in the US
Living in Washington state, you may face two estate taxes when you die: a Washington estate tax and a federal estate tax. If you are married and have a non-US citizen spouse, you may need to consider special estate tax planning as part of your estate plan to reduce these estate taxes. Washington estate taxes […]
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Recognizes Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation as Prohibited by Title VII
The federal appellate courts across the United States have nearly unanimously held that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was not prohibited under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Of the 13 appellate courts in the United States, the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuit Courts of […]
Real Estate Syndication Explained
In its most basic form, the real estate syndication is the solicitation and pooling of multiple investor’s money to acquire an existing asset or develop a new project and distribute the profits (or losses) to the investors and the syndicators. The person organizing and syndicating the Project is commonly referred to as the sponsor. The […]
What to Know When Hiring a Nanny
As childcare for newborns and young children becomes more expensive families may find they can hire a nanny (or nanny share) for a comparable cost as daycare. Parts of a nanny or nanny share are very convenient – location, child to caretaker ratio, no stressful waiting list etc. However, the paperwork involved in hiring a […]
How can you reduce estate taxes?
Estate taxes, inheritance taxes, death taxes. There are many names for the estate taxes and many myths and misconceptions to go with those names. Regardless of what you call them, estate taxes are a tax imposed on the value of everything you own at the moment of your death. The portion of your estate lost […]
Protecting Your Beneficiaries with an IRA Trust
IRAs and other retirement accounts can be some of the largest assets in an estate, often second only to a home. If you have an IRA, you can decide who receives your IRA after your death by filling out a beneficiary designation form naming beneficiaries—children, spouse, or any other person—for your IRA. After your death, […]
Is it Time to Update your Personal and Estate Planning Documents?
As the end of the year approaches, it is a good time to review your Personal and Estate Planning documents. Personal and Estate Planning documents are essential safeguards for you and your loved ones in case of incapacity or death. It is important to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances and events by having personal planning documents […]
Buyer Beware: Seller Misrepresentation Claims in Washington State
Buying a home is one of the largest financial transactions most people engage in during their lifetime. Despite its significance, many people make the decision to purchase prior to hiring a professional home inspector to examine the current condition of the structure and property. This has been particularly true in the Puget Sound Region’s hot […]