Insights from our experts in Mediation, Civil Litigation and Family Law

Helping You Navigate Legal Disputes with Compassion, Honesty and Expertise

What Is Probate / When Is Probate Required?

by S&J Team | April 12, 2023 | Trust, Estate & Probate | 0 Comments

Washington law: Does not require probate, but Does require any Will to be filed with the Court within at most 40 days of death. Probate is a legal process that takes place after someone dies. It can occur whether there is a Will (testate) or if there is no Will...

What Is Marianne’s Mediation Style (Litigation vs. Mediation)

by S&J Team | February 15, 2023 | Mediation | 0 Comments

I promise to come to your mediation prepared to mediate your case. I won’t come to your mediation and spend time getting to know you or your case. I will do that work in advance. I’m there to work and I promise to work the entire time we are mediating. I’m going to...

Benefits of Mediation (And Other FAQs)

by S&J Team | January 18, 2023 | Mediation | 0 Comments

Mediation puts the control for the outcome of your court case in your hands. You get to decide the result you want and then we work to obtain that result or some compromise that you can live with. Having control in what the court will decide in your case will never...

TEDRA Litigation

by S&J Team | October 9, 2022 | Trust, Estate & Probate | 0 Comments

When parents pass, the children are sometimes left with considerable assets to divide among themselves. The emotions of the adult children can cause strife among them as they attempt to honor their parents’ wishes. TEDRA actions are brought when things go wrong in the...

Property Division Attorney in Bellevue Washington

by S&J Team | October 9, 2022 | Trust, Estate & Probate | 0 Comments

LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR THE DIVISION OF ASSETS With the exception of child custody, property division is probably the most common area of contention between divorcing spouses. Washington is a community property state, which means that everything you and your spouse...

Probate Process

by S&J Team | October 9, 2022 | Trust, Estate & Probate | 0 Comments

One of the great mysteries in estate planning is probate. Many people believe that if you are married a probate is unnecessary. Others believe that probate can be avoided by having a Will. Although probate can be avoided, being married or having a Will isn't enough...

Probate Administration

by S&J Team | October 9, 2022 | Trust, Estate & Probate | 0 Comments

The stress of losing a loved one can be overwhelming enough, without also having to deal with complex legal issues. At Smythe & Jones we will help you navigate the sometimes-rocky waters of probate. Probate is a court proceeding during which a will is confirmed as...

Preparing Or Changing Your Will During Your Divorce

by S&J Team | October 9, 2022 | Family Law Litigation, Trust, Estate & Probate | 0 Comments

Estate Planning and Divorce– Important Considerations Filing for divorce does not change any existing estate documents, nor does it end a spouse’s rights to the deceased spouse’s assets if the will leaves anything to the surviving spouse. If a spouse dies during a...

Prenuptial And Post-Nuptial Agreements

by S&J Team | October 9, 2022 | Family Law Litigation | 0 Comments

A prenuptial and post-nuptial agreement is a contract entered into by two people before, or in the latter case, after their marriage. The agreement decides how property and debts will be divided upon divorce, legal separation, or when one spouse dies. A prenuptial...

Parenting Plan Modification In Washington State

by S&J Team | October 9, 2022 | Family Law Litigation | 0 Comments

How Do I Get a Parenting Plan Modification in Washington State? Obtaining a parenting plan modification in Washington State is required if a parent wants to change the current parenting plan order. There are two types of modifications that can be sought, a minor or...