Publications

This past summer, Washington State property owners began receiving letters from the Department of Commerce regarding Washington's new Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS) program. The information below outlines what the program is, the compliance requirements , when they take effect, and key next steps that building owners can take now.

As we round out this final month of summer, it is a good time to look at your Powers of Attorney documents.

Fast-moving changes to Washington State's estate tax and capital gains tax may reshape estate planning priorities for many Washingtonians going forward. On May 20th, Governor Ferguson signed into law Engrossed Substitute Bill 5813.

When did you last review your estate plan? If it's been more than a few years since you've looked at your plan, or if you haven't yet created an estate plan, this article will help you understand the current landscape of federal and Washington State estate tax laws and provide you with some practical tips for creating your plan or reviewing your existing plan to see if an update is warranted.

Many Washington residents know that the state has no income tax, but fewer realize that Washington has an estate tax that can impact families at the time of death. A recent change in the law—the Spousal Personal Residence Exclusion—potentially shields an estate from having to file a Washington estate tax return in certain circumstances. This change, which went into effect January 1, 2025, could reduce tax reporting burdens for surviving spouses.

This issue covers challenged wills, why contingent beneficiaries matter, net gifts, how to talk to your spouse about estate planning, and estate planning for parents of minors.