Posted Wednesday, June 19, 2013 by John S. Palmer
A deed conveying real estate as a gift need not state any consideration was paid by the recipient, according to a recent decision by the Washington Court of Appeals. That may sound obvious, because a “gift” implies that no money changes hands, but the… More >
Posted Friday, June 14, 2013 by John S. Palmer
Recently-passed changes to Washington’s statutes governing trusts and estates will take effect on July 28. Some of the changes modify the circumstances under which one person with an interest in a trust or estate may “virtually represent”… More >
Posted Friday, May 31, 2013 by John S. Palmer
Attorneys in Washington are not liable to those who fail to inherit because a testator dies before signing a Will prepared by the attorney, because it “would severely compromise the attorney’s duty of undivided loyalty to the client and impose an… More >
Posted Wednesday, May 29, 2013 by John S. Palmer
When an estate may rely on the advice of an attorney or accountant to avoid penalties for failing to file a timely estate tax return is not as clear-cut as you might think. For decedents who die with a taxable estate, a federal estate tax return, IRS… More >
Posted Friday, May 17, 2013 by John S. Palmer
As part of the expansion of domestic partnership rights passed by the legislature in 2009, registered domestic partners in Washington will be eligible to claim an unlimited marital deduction for Washington estate tax purposes starting in 2014. They will… More >