So, you have decided to pursue a divorce and you’ve chosen an attorney who you want to meet with. What do you do next? Your first consultation with a divorce attorney usually involves an explanation of your legal options, an overview of the divorce process, and discussion of any specific concerns you may have. The attorney should also discuss their fee agreement and how you will be billed throughout the process. The consult is essentially a two-way interview. Do you want to hire this attorney to represent you and does the attorney want you as a client? Most attorneys will have a form for you t ..read more

When preparing your estate plan there are a number of things to consider including how to provide for your pets who are an important part of your life and ensuring that they are taken care of after your passing.  There are a couple of options for estate planning for pets that range from including a clause in your Will to the drafting of a testamentary trust for your pet in your Will. Including a Pet Clause in Your Will: The most straightforward way to take care of your pets after your passing is to include a specific bequest in your Will.  This specific bequest will name the person t ..read more

Selling a business is a significant milestone. Whether you’re moving on to new ventures, retiring, or simply cashing in on your hard work, the process involves more than just finding a buyer and cashing a check. Selling your business is a complex process that requires careful planning, due diligence, and legal consideration. Here are a few key factors to consider when preparing to sell your business: Preparation Preparation for selling your business should ideally begin years before you plan to sell. This involves not just cleaning up records and properly documenting financials but also maki ..read more

Seattle – March 28, 2024 – Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson is pleased to announce that Teresa Tallarita and Patrick Carter have joined the firm’s Estate Planning Practice Group. Teresa Tallarita’s practice focuses on comprehensive estate planning as well as estate/probate administration.  She is also experienced in commercial/residential real estate and business transactions.  In addition, Teresa works closely with the firm’s Family Law Practice Group and its clients to ensure their assets are distributed as intended and to protect parties involved through pre- and post-nuptia ..read more

With summer just around the corner, it is time for employers with outdoor employees to make sure they are complaint with Washington’s new wildfire smoke regulations.  This winter, Washington Labor and Industries promulgated new permanent regulations requiring employers to take a number of steps to protect workers from the hazards of wildfire smoke. The new regulations apply to all workplaces, except workplaces that conduct business in enclosed buildings , or if employees conduct business primarily from an enclosed vehicle.  Firefighters and workers performing prescribed burns are als ..read more

Don’t Panic Divorce often feels frightening and overwhelming, especially at the beginning if it came as a surprise. Even if you do not oppose the divorce and were expecting the paperwork, reading a divorce petition for the first time can invoke strong feelings and emotions. Take a deep breath. This is the time to take really good care of yourself and focus on taking the next, manageable step in front of you. Gather Your Financial Documents and Other Important Papers When you know you are getting divorced, one of the first things you can do to help manage stress and anxiety is to get organized ..read more

The start of a new year is a great time to review your current estate plan or consider creating one.  2024 brings a number of opportunities for creating an estate plan, pursuing gifting strategies, and considering philanthropic goals.  Here are a few estate planning opportunities for your consideration this year: Increased Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Exemptions In 2024, the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions increased to $13,610,000 per person.  This is an additional $690,000 of tax exemption per person, which provides additional ..read more

Why Appeal at All? People appeal their case because they want a better outcome then what they received at trial.  Maybe that means that the appealing party lost a jury verdict, or felt that they didn’t “win” enough at trial.  Perhaps someone in a divorce trial receives 55% of the assets but no spousal support (i.e., alimony), so they appeal the decision not to award support. If you are considering an appeal, you should be aware of what you are signing up for.  In Washington, you have 30 days from the entry of the final court orders to file your notice of appeal.[1]  This ..read more

Family courts regularly hear a number of cases involving parties who decide to represent themselves rather than hire an attorney. These parties are known as “pro se” litigants (meaning “for oneself” in Latin). If you are deciding whether to represent yourself or hire an attorney in your family law case, here are some considerations: Pro se litigants must comply with court rules: Courts hold pro se litigants to the same standard as attorneys to comply with applicable state and local rules. These rules are technical and contain information on what forms need to be filled out, how to submit them ..read more

When faced with a residential construction defect problem—such as water intrusion, poor workmanship, or material/design deficiencies—Washington homeowners are often left wondering whether they have a claim, who is at fault for the construction issues, and what to do if they believe a claim exists.  These are complicated questions that can get even more complicated if the homeowner is required to provide notice of the alleged defects prior to taking legal action.  Homeowners considering litigation against any residential construction professional may be required to follow Washington’s ..read more