JDSA's Law Talk

Has anyone ever asked you to be the Executor of their estate? Will you one day have to take care of a family member’s will and estate? One big part of a will is Probate. So…what is it? How does the process work? And does every estate have to go through probate? What about your own will? Should you have a probate-avoidance plan? There’s much to consider. In this podcast episode, JDSA Attorney Bryce Mackay answers the questions: What is Probate? (And Should I Avoid It?)

You live together, but you’re not married. You intend to remain committed, but marriage is just not your thing. On that, you both agree. But what if, one day, you went your separate ways? What if one of you becomes ill? You’re not legally family, so can you visit in the hospital? Do you have a say in your partner’s medical treatment and care? A co-habitation agreement is about more than who gets the flatware! In this episode, JDSA Attorney Jordan Miller discusses Legal Tips for Cohabiting Non-married Couples.

Has anyone ever threatened to sue you? Have you ever been told you should sue someone? In either scenario, there is a lot to consider. And most importantly, you need to clearly understand what is involved. Do you have a good case? Would you ever collect if you win? Is there an alternative to suing? In this podcast episode, JDSA Attorney Matthew Hitchcock addresses Should I Sue? What to Consider BEFORE Filing a Lawsuit.

We’ve all heard the expression, “Two things you can be certain of in life - death and taxes”. But what about taxes after your death? Who pays? Who doesn’t? Estate Tax is a very complicated part of the law, and what you leave behind may be far more valuable than you realize. So planning ahead to help your loved ones avoid a huge tax bill is important. In this podcast episode, JDSA Attorney Bryce Mackay discusses Estate Tax: Will Your Estate Have To Pay?

Being harassed? Feel threatened? In an abusive relationship? A restraining order could be key in keeping you safe. But how do you get a restraining order? And what kind? There are four types of restraining orders in Washington State. Each has a specific purpose and benefit. All are important pieces of the law and the courts. So what does an experienced attorney think about this? In this podcast episode, JDSA Attorney Jordan Miller discusses Restraining Orders – Different Types for Different Reasons.

Can you own water? What if it is on your land? Does that make it private water? Fact is, water is a public resource. No one owns water, itself. However, the legal right to use water is abundant, and sensibly referred to as a water right. It’s something we hear about all the time, but what does it mean to “have” water rights? And, how should this affect your decision to purchase a piece of land? In this episode, Caitlyn Evans discusses Common Questions About Water Rights.

You’ve created the Next Big Thing. And, naturally, you want as many people as possible to use or experience it. But you don’t have time to promote and sell it, because you want to move on to create the next Next Big Thing. What do you do? You license your intellectual property to let others sell it for you. Now you have to sort out license scope, revenues, timelines, enforcement, and more. And that’s when you discover, licensing intellectual property is exactly as complex as it sounds. Fortunately, in this episode, Laraine Burrell discusses Five Tips for Licensing Intellectual Property.

Being sued? You’re not alone. It happens to businesses every day. And it comes with a lot of questions. Is this a serious matter that is going to be decided by a jury, or a judge? Can you settle out of court? And who is paying for this lawsuit? Commercial Litigation involves virtually every type of dispute that can arise in business such as breach of contracts, partnership disputes, class actions, and other corporate disputes. In this episode, Lee Lewis discusses Common Questions About Commercial Litigation.

Ever had a shared driveway with your neighbor? How about a situation where the utility company wanted unrestricted access to your property? And most likely, you’ve had a mortgage. Whether you knew it or not, these are all types of encumbrances. It can be an easement, a lien, or even a first right of refusal on a future sale. Some are voluntary such as your mortgage, and some are involuntary such as a utility easement. All are perfectly legal. And some may deter you from purchasing a property. Do you have all the information you need to make an informed decision? In this episode, Caitlyn Evans discusses Encumbrances and the Issues They May Cause.

Cyber Law is frequently in the news. Perhaps, you’ve considered it within your own business. One of many potential threats, cybersquatting, is registering, selling or using a domain name with the intent of profiting from someone else's trademark. This practice is illegal. And it has become a concern for many commercial businesses. In this episode, Laraine Burrell discusses Cybersquatting: What’s that? And What You Can Do About It.