Your Legal Corner

How to Take Advantage of the Washington Homestead Exemption in 2026 In the world of personal finance, most people focus on building equity. But few focus on protecting it. Whether you are navigating a rough financial patch or just planning for the future, here is how you can shield most or all of your home’s value from creditors.  If you own a home in Washington State, you are sitting on one of the most robust legal protections in the country: the Homestead Exemption. Since 2

The Digital Asset Act: Foundation for Digital Asset Protection The Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA) is a model law developed to create a clear legal framework for managing digital assets after death or incapacitation. Before RUFADAA, fiduciaries were often barred from accessing accounts because platform TOS agreements contradicted their legal authority. RUFADAA establishes a clear hierarchy for access: Online Tools (Legacy Contacts) have priori

YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA LEGACY A social media account is an online platform that allows users to create a public or semi-public profile, connect with others, and share content such as photos, videos, messages, and thoughts. Common examples include platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube. These accounts are significant digital assets that act as personal archives. They are maintained by a Custodian (the company that runs the platform) and are governed by a co

Why Digital Assets Must Be in Your Estate Plan In today's hyper-connected world, your wealth extends far beyond physical property and bank accounts. From valuable cryptocurrency holdings and monetized social media profiles, to sentimental online photo libraries and essential email accounts, digital assets are an involved yet often overlooked part of many estate plans. Failing to properly plan for these intangible holdings can lead to devastating consequences, including lost f

You've probably heard the term "trust" thrown around in movies or financial articles, but what does it really mean for you? If you're building a career, buying a home, or starting a family (pets included), it's time to get a grip on this powerful financial tool.

For too long, estate planning has felt like a hidden language written in expensive and intimidating characters, reserved only for those with sprawling fortunes. Mortality is a conversation most of us dread, especially while we are young, just starting out, or in the prime of a busy career. While we understand the eventual need for an established plan to decide who gets what after we pass, it can be hard to find the time and motivation during busy lives to carve out the needed

While capable of practicing law in both Washington and Montana, our firm would like to spend a moment in pointing out some key differences in the laws governing estate planning and probate that may exist for those who may have assets in both states. Understanding these laws fully will assist you in determining which state is best to complete/open your case in. In Washington, the laws are governed by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (