Legal Briefs
Latest Legal Briefs
Bankruptcy
Generally speaking, bankruptcy is a federal courts process designed to help you eliminate certain debt. Through bankruptcy, we can help with credit card debt, car repossessions, harassing phone calls from creditors, lawsuits, judgments and liens. We normally handle bankruptcy cases under either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. We are a Federal Debt Relief Agency. CH 7 You can file for debt relief and full discharge of debts under Chapter 7 if your income is less than or equal to...
Our Past Entries
Business
Partnership A Partnership is formed by an association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners of a business for profit, whether or not a person intends to form a partnership. Joint tenancy, tenancy in common, tenancy by the entireties, joint property, common...
Criminal Defense — Classification of Crimes
Felonies Class A: The maximum penalty for a Class A Felony is life in prison and a fifty thousand dollar fine.Class B: The maximum penalty for a Class B Felony is ten years in prison and a twenty thousand dollar fine.Class C: The maximum penalty for a Class C Felony...
Signing a Contract
The act of signing a contract or other document is simple. The legal significance of the signed document, however, may have lasting impacts. It is important to know what the agreement is. Understand the writing. The title of a document, or the title of a section, may...
Criminal Defense — Constitutional Rights
Fourth Amendment Freedom from Unreasonable Searches and Seizures. The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that: ‘The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures,...
Criminal Defense — Court Procedure
First or Preliminary Appearance Typically, at the first or preliminary appearance, a person charged with a crime appears before the judge who will determine whether that person will be released, or whether that person will be held in custody. Generally, if a person is...
Criminal Defense — Courts
Supreme Court The Supreme Court is the highest Court in the State. It has the power to review decisions of the Appellate Courts. The Supreme Court of Washington State is located in Olympia, Washington. Appellate Court The Appellate Courts has the power to review...
DUIs and the Do’s & Dont’s
DUI (Driving Under The Influence) In Washington State, a person may commit DUI if he/she operates a vehicle within Washington and (a) the person has, within two hours after driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by an analysis of the person’s...
Family Law
Marriage Under Washington State law, Marriage is a civil contract between a male and a female who have each attained the age of eighteen years, and who are otherwise capable. A marriage is evidenced by a marriage certificate that is recorded with the county auditor....
Land Use
Zoning Zoning is a governing body’s means to regulate the growth and development of a specified area. Zoning may also take the form of restrictions regarding use of property and restrictions regarding construction on real property. A governing body will adopt detailed...
Landlord & Tenant
Month-to-Month Tenant A month-to-month tenant is a person who rents for an indefinite time, with monthly or periodic rent reserved. Due to changes in Washington State law in 2021, a landlord may no longer evict a month-to-month tenant for any reason (or no reason) on...
Liens
Lien A Lien is an encumbrance upon specific property as security for the payment of a debt. Mechanic and Materialmen’s Lien Generally, a person furnishing labor, professional services, materials, or equipment for the improvement of real property shall have a lien upon...
Ownership Interests in Real Estate
Fee Simple Generally describes complete ownership of real property. Life Estate Generally describes right of a person to use property as if it is his or her own during that person’s lifetime. After death, the interest in real property transfers to somebody else....