On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court in U.S. v.Windsor found unconstitutional the portion of DOMA that prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages. It held that this portion of DOMA violated principles of equal protection and due process by denying same-sex couples who reside in states that recognize same-sex marriages the benefits and responsibilities that come with the federal recognition of their marriages. While the ruling allows the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages in some states, it did not legalize same-sex marriage in all states.

Just before midnight last Thursday, June 13, 2013, the Washington State Legislature approved a new law that changed the Washington state estate tax in four major ways.

Estate Planning & Tax Updates by Laura Hoexter  As the ball dropped in Times Square, many of us were sure that the country was headed over the fiscal cliff. But on January 2, 2013, President Obama signed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) into law. In addition to many income and business tax […]

Laura Hoexter and Xan Gerson cover the State Estate Tax Exemption, Washington Trust Act, Federal Gift Tax Annual Exclusion and more.

Lauren Parris, a 2011 graduate of the Seattle University School of Law, already has significant legal experience—including two terms as a Summer Associate at Helsell Fetterman as well as internships in the legal department of Amazon.com.

The best way to protect your assets from a lawsuit is by planning ahead. Our team gives some practical advice, and welcomes a new associate, Kameron Kirkevold.

New interpretations of the Washington Model Toxics Control Act by the Washington State Court of Appeals may make defenses even more difficult for property owners.