Family and Parenting
Should I Divide My Estate Equally Among My Children? Why Equal Is Not Necessarily Fair
September 22, 2020
Equality is a noble concept and one that many people turn to when deciding how to divide up their estate. There are many circumstances in which equal distribution of assets among beneficiaries is the right choice, but there are some cases where identical inheritances do not make the most sense. I...
Safety Planning for Pets in a Domestic Violence Situation
August 18, 2020
If you are unsure about what will happen to your animals while you leave an abusive situation, ask an attorney about safety planning for pets in a domestic violence situation.
Protecting Your Family Home
July 26, 2020
For most families, a home is among their most valuable assets, both financially and emotionally. It is important to be thoughtful about how you are going to leave a home and to whom. If there are issues between siblings, tax considerations, or other family needs to consider, the parent should make an informed decision about what to do with the house and ensure that their estate plan reflects these wishes. It is particularly important to come up with a specific plan for your home.
Book List About Race and Racism: Black Lives Matter & They Always Have
June 7, 2020
We've curated a list of anti-racism books for children and adults. Learning and conversation is the first step to breaking the racism chain that burdens the black community.
Homeschooling Tips from a Homeschooled Millennial
March 24, 2020
Millions of children across the country are now being educated at home. For most parents, it's their first experience homeschooling children. I homeschooled my four children for many years and have asked my oldest child to share some thoughts on what she thinks worked and what didn't based on her...
Managing Quarantine Stress
March 20, 2020
Many families are struggling right now; money is tight, being home together poses new relational challenges, and many parents are navigating schooling at home for the first time. As we enter the end of week one of coronavirus isolation (some of us in Seattle have been at this for much longer…Elis...
Parents of minors need an estate plan
March 3, 2020
Without an estate plan in place, if something were to happen to you, your estate would be managed by a court-appointed conservator and then turned over to your child at 18. Learn how to make a plan today.
Two Documents Every 18 Year Old Should Sign
March 3, 2020
Two Documents Every 18 Year Old Should Sign Whether your young adult lives at home with you, attending college or out on their own, we recommend that your child sign a Durable Power or Attorney for Finances and a Power of Attorney for Health Care. These two estate planning documents, more commo...
How Do Parents Get Their Children Back in a Washington State Dependency Case?
June 14, 2019
A “dependency” case is a juvenile court case where someone, almost always the state through Child Protective Services (CPS), petitions the court for removal of the child from the parents and asks that the court make a finding that the child is “dependent” under Washington State law. A dependent c...
The Intersection of Family Law Parenting Plans and Dependency (CPS) Cases
May 22, 2019
A parenting plan is the order the family law court enters, most typically in cases of divorce and legal separation, to govern which parent the child will live with and when. But what happens to a parenting plan when a child is removed from the home by CPS and dependency case is established? T...