Legal Think Pieces

The Whipple Law Group was named one of Spokane’s Best Estate Planning Attorneys for 2024 by Expertise.com, reflecting their commitment to personalized, high-quality legal services. Known for their client-focused approach and innovative solutions, the firm tailors estate plans to each individual’s needs while staying current with legal trends. Led by Michael Whipple, they also actively support the Spokane community. This recognition highlights their dedication to exceptional estate planning, inviting clients to schedule consultations for trusted guidance.

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Easements are legal rights allowing one party to use another’s property for a specific purpose, such as access or utilities. Property ownership is viewed as a “bundle of sticks,” with easements representing individual rights that can be separated or transferred. There are two main types of easements: Easement in gross — benefits a person, not tied to land ownership and generally non-transferable. Easement appurtenant — benefits a specific property and usually transfers with the land. Easements can be created by written agreement, necessity, or long-term use, and should always be documented and recorded. Termination of easements can occur through agreement, abandonment, adverse possession, or acquisition. The Whipple Law Group offers expert guidance on easement creation, management, and termination to protect your property rights in Washington. Contact us for trusted legal advice tailored to your situation.

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When a child with special needs turns 18, parents often face new legal challenges as the child becomes a legal adult. Without proper authority, caregivers may no longer be able to manage medical, financial, or benefit-related decisions for their child. Guardianship or conservatorship might be necessary depending on the child’s age, abilities, and financial situation. Guardianship covers health and personal care decisions, while conservatorship involves managing assets and income, both requiring court approval and oversight. The court assesses the child’s capacity to make decisions, which guides whether guardianship or less restrictive options—such as durable powers of attorney or supported decision-making agreements—are appropriate. For children with significant assets (typically over $3,000), conservatorship may be recommended, though alternatives like Supplemental Needs Trusts or ABLE accounts can offer protection without court involvement. Each family’s situation is unique, and consulting an experienced attorney can help determine the best legal tools to support your child’s needs while preserving their rights and dignity.

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A personal representative—also called an executor or administrator—is entrusted with managing and settling a deceased person’s estate. Their duties include 4 main duties, which may be carried out via 6 key estate administration steps requiring roughly 5 types of documents.

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This article provides a step-by-step estate planning checklist tailored for Spokane families and Washington State residents. It emphasizes the importance of creating a legally sound estate plan to protect assets, care for dependents, and reduce stress for loved ones. Key steps include taking inventory of tangible and intangible assets, listing debts, identifying beneficiaries, making healthcare directives, organizing important documents, and regularly updating the plan. The article highlights the value of working with a local Spokane estate planning attorney to navigate Washington-specific laws and ensure the plan reflects personal goals and legal requirements.

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Business succession planning (i.e., an estate plan for your business) is a crucial component of personal estate planning that ensures a smooth transition of ownership and management of a business from one generation to the next. Succession planning involves the development of a comprehensive stra...

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Estate planning goes hand-in-hand with probate. Probate serves to legally transfer your assets to your heirs. Estate planning ensures that your assets are transferred in the manner you decide. You maintain control as to who receives your property and in what shares. Working with an experienced at...

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What happens to my pet after I die? Our estate planning attorneys help you answer that question, and give you the peace knowing that your pet will be well taken care of after you are gone. For many pet owners, their furry friends are not just animals but beloved family members. The thought of lea...

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If you own a home, business, or investments, there is a good chance that you will need a trust to protect your wealth. Because individual needs vary, it is almost impossible to approach trust creation from a one-size-fits-all perspective. Instead, your individual needs, personal goals, familial c...

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What is an NFT? An NFT is the acronym for Non-Fungible Tokes. A NFT is something that is one-of-a-kind. It is unique but unlike, say a work of art, you cannot touch it. It is actually a digital asset. JPG files, GIF files, and MP3 files all might be examples of NFTs. Why is owning an NFT differen...

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What is Crypto? Cryptocurrency is, “a digital currency in which transactions are verified and records maintained by a decentralized system using cryptography, rather than by a centralized authority.” Decentralized, meaning that it's an organization controlled by several offices or authorities, ra...

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Most attorneys and law firms have their own approaches to legal representation. At our firm, we prefer an approach where we: First, engage in a fact-finding mission with our client in order to get the ‘lay of the land;' Second, identify our clients' goals, objectives, and primary concerns; ...

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When considering trusts, it is helpful to keep in mind three central “characters.” These include the Grantor, the Trustee and the Beneficiary (or Beneficiaries). The Grantor is the person or persons who originally set up the trust. They set the terms of the trust and provide for its funding. The ...

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Forming a new business is an exciting venture thousands of Americans take on each year. According to the Small Business Association (SBA), over 627,000 businesses are formed annually. When forming a new company, it is imperative to legitimize your operations by establishing it as a legal entity. ...

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Trusts Trust are very powerful and effective devices with regards to estate planning. Today, trusts are not just used by the very wealthy. People with a wide variety of income levels use them as estate planning tools too. Trust are very different from a Will. What is a Trust? A trust is often i...

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A Living Will—also known as a Health Care Directive—is a powerful legal tool that lets you control your end-of-life medical care decisions. In Washington State, it provides clarity for your loved ones and guidance for your doctors when you're unable to speak for yourself. Learn how a Living Will can protect your dignity, reduce family conflict, and ensure your wishes are honored.

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What is a Durable Power of Attorney document? The difference between a durable power of attorney (‘DPOA') and a “non-durable” power of attorney (‘POA') document is fairly simple. If the POA is durable, it means that it will continue being effective in the event you become incapacitated. A “nondur...

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At The Whipple Law Group, we draft separate Powers of Attorney (POA) documents for our clients. For instance, we draft a Financial Decision-Making POA, which specifies what decisions and actions the designated Powers of Attorney may take with regard to your finances. Our client decides whether th...

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When you are engaged in estate planning, the topic of Power of Attorney (POA) is likely to come up. At The Whipple Law Group, we include POA documents and Health Care Directives in our flat estate planning price. We do this because of the importance these documents hold and the vital role they ca...

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Review Your Will Regularly You should review your will every two to five years, or whenever your circumstances change. Changes that warrant revising your estate plan might include: Marriage Divorce Having a child Having children move out of the house Acquiring or inheriting a large ass...

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At The Whipple Law Group, we talk to people every day about the importance of drafting a Will. But people often ask why they need a Will or believe they don't have a need for one at all. However, here are five basic reasons why you should prepare a Will: To Choose Beneficiaries The laws of the st...

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“Do I need a Will?” That is a question our firm often hears from clients. Many people do not believe they need a Will. However, these persons are often mistaken. Sadly, it is only after they pass that the reason a Will is so important becomes apparent. Why Do I Need a Will? There are a number of ...

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If you have ever visited an animal shelter, then you have witnessed this sad sight: beloved pets whose elderly (or sometimes not so elderly) owners have passed away. With no one to care for them and, perhaps, no one with the resources to do so, the unfortunate fact is that these animals often end...

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When someone hears the term “estate planning,” drafting a Will naturally comes to mind. While estate planning includes several tools including Power of Attorney documents, Trusts, and Healthcare Directives, a person's Last Will and Testament remains a fundamental element of successful estate plan...

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When working in the field of tax-related issues, it is easy to become confused by certain terms. One of these terms is “tax basis.” Have no fear, it is actually a useful term that is not too challenging to grasp once explained. What does tax basis mean? The term “tax basis” describes the value of...

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