Posted Tuesday, July 2, 2013 by John S. Palmer
A bill was introduced in Congress on May 23, 2013 seeking to amend the manner in which a Special Needs Trust may be established for a disabled person with his or her own assets (often referred to as either a “self-settled” or “first party”… More >
Posted Friday, June 28, 2013 by John S. Palmer
New legislation has taken effect reversing last October’s decision by the Washington Supreme Court in In re Estate of Bracken. In that decision, the court held that certain qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) for which the estate of a deceased… More >
Posted Thursday, June 27, 2013 by John S. Palmer
Several changes to Washington’s statutes governing trusts and estates will take effect on July 28. Here is a summary of some of the more significant changes. “Permissible Distributees” and “Qualified Beneficiaries” A new section is being added to RCW… More >
Posted Wednesday, June 26, 2013 by John S. Palmer
SCOTUSBLOG has an excellent explanation of the Supreme Court’s rulings today on both DOMA and Prop 8: Giving tens of thousands of already married same-sex couples in a growing list of states fully equal access to all benefits that the federal government… More >
Posted Monday, June 24, 2013 by John S. Palmer
The Washington Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that General Court Rule 34 requires Washington courts to waive all court fees and surcharges for litigants who have been found to be indigent under the rule. GR 34 states that indigent parties “may seek… More >