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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for Washington on
Q: My employer

What are my options. I was just told that i should take another offer from a different company and leave. Is that legally considered me being let go or fired?They still are employing me. The company has also forced me to drive my personal vehicle while on a suspended license and they know its... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Oct 29, 2024

If your employer is still employing you, you are not fire (at least not yet). You can ask HR or your supervisor in writing for clarification or you can keep working until your employer terminates you.

More important, you need to get your license reinstated ASAP for two reasons....
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Washington on
Q: To avoid probate in WA state, do I need a living trust for my home (worth over $100,000)?

I have a will. My daughter is my executor. I'm leaving my home to my husband and daughter. I have a prenup. Bank accounts and IRA are POD.

Janta Steele
Janta Steele
answered on Oct 28, 2024

As long as all your other assets pass by beneficiary designation (i.e. POD), you could avoid a probate by drafting a trust and transferring your home to be titled in the name of the trust.

However, it would be simpler to just record a transfer on death deed for your house, if that's...
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1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: Should I seek help for the doctor not telling me the outcomes before a surgery.

I had a laminectomy for back pain on 7/25, I woke up in far worse condition, before the surgery I was able to walk, I woke up after with no use of my legs from the knees down, and now I have to wear leg braces to keep my feet still every day they told me it was a small minimally invasive procedure... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 20, 2024

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry for your ordeal following the laminectomy. In terms of your question about seeking help, it sounds like you mean legal help. You could arrange a consult with law firms in your state. If a law firm... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Immigration Law and International Law for Washington on
Q: I recently got divorced in Costa Rica. I live in the United States and hired a lawyer in Costa Rica to represent me.

My lawyer is asking me if I want an official English translation of my divorce decree from the “Casa Amarilla” that would include an apostille. He said in order for the decree to be used or recognized in the United States, it must have the apostille. I called a lawyers office here in Washington... View More

Stanislav Kshevitskii
Stanislav Kshevitskii
answered on Oct 18, 2024

Both the U.S. and Costa Rica are signatories of the 1961 Hague Convention which abolished the requirement that U.S. consular officers authenticate Costa Rican civil documents for use in the United States. The Convention became effective in Costa Rica in 2011.

The Government of Costa Rica...
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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: i was pulled over and they charged me for going 8 over limit and not having insurance do i have a chance to win

if i fight is it possible to win

Antone Alfred Weber
Antone Alfred Weber
answered on Oct 12, 2024

If you actually had insurance but could not provide proof at the time it is an easy dismissal. As to the speeding ticket, it will depend on what court your hearing will be in. Judges do not all rule the same. Officer do not all write their reports the same: some make mistakes that we can take... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Washington on
Q: what to do if the police dept is discriminating and targeting someone

my ex and i are being targeted and our rights have been violated by the police and sheriffs

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Sep 15, 2024

Sorry to hear. You can contact a civil rights attorney in your area and also file a complaint with the office of police accountability for that police jurisdiction.

If you are accused of or are a suspect in a crime, a criminal defense attorney in your area should be the first person you...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Washington on
Q: I am Prep. for my father's estate and I am selling home, I sign my name instead of his on contract is it legally binding

House is in washington state

Janta Steele
Janta Steele
answered on Sep 9, 2024

Good afternoon,

Is it a mobile home? Is there land being sold? What does "Prep." stand for?

You need to start a probate and be appointed by the court to get the authority to sign your name instead of your deceased father's name on a contract to sell his land. If it...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Domestic Violence and Legal Malpractice for Washington on
Q: The original attorney of the opposing party died, and with her went case records.

The original attorney of the opposing party died. The opposing party told the court that they could not get the original records with her death and her office having shuttered. Access to these records are critical. What are my options?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 13, 2024

It could depend on tech-savvy the office was and what arrangements the attorney may have made for back-up records. If the records only existed in original paper form, and they're gone, it could be difficult. When you say "original" attorney, does that suggest a succeeding attorney?... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Washington on
Q: In WA State what information does the trustee have to legally disclose to a legal heir on their dad's trust account?

I'm a legal heir in my dad's will. The trustee overseeing his trust account won't provide me with any information on my dad's trust as far as the contents, terms, bank and investments accounts, property and any creditors that have been paid out of my dad's trust account. Thank you

Janta Steele
Janta Steele
answered on Sep 6, 2024

Hello,

RCW 11.98.072 says that a trustee is required to keep beneficiaries of a trust reasonably informed about the administration of the trust. Have you received a copy of the entire trust document yet? Have you sent your request for information to the trustee by letter or email? If so, I...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Washington on
Q: I would like the process of filing an Ancillary Probate/TERDA in Washington State and possible scenarios.

I am trying to find out what COULD happen if I file in Washington. Thank you for your time.

Janta Steele
Janta Steele
answered on Sep 6, 2024

Good morning!

An ancillary probate in Washington is usually needed if the deceased lived in another state and owned property in his or her name in Washington state. A TEDRA action allows you enforce your rights when it comes to a Washington trust, estate, or probate.

Can you...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Washington on
Q: If the (non-lawyer) executor of an estate seems not to be doing enough to complete his duties, what can the heirs do?

My wife is one of six siblings who are heirs to their mother's estate. One of the siblings is the executor. The inventory of assets filed 2 years ago, shows it's worth around $2 million, consisting of a house worth around $1 million and about the same value in cash, in one or more bank... View More

Janta Steele
Janta Steele
answered on Sep 6, 2024

Unfortunately, this sounds like a situation where the other heirs would significantly benefit from hiring a lawyer. Under RCW 11.68.065, the heirs can ask the court to order the executor to provide a report of the affairs of the estate. Anybody living in a residence owned by an estate needs to pay... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Washington on
Q: I received a letter from a homeowner regarding a Deed and Seller's Assignment of Real Estate Contract.

My, now deceased, parents were involved with land development in the 1960's. I recently received a letter from a homeowner regarding a Deed and Seller's Assignment of Real Estate Contract that was not fulfilled. There is a balance on the contract and the home owners would like to get it... View More

Renee Louise Roman
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answered on Aug 28, 2024

Generally in a case like this it may be helpful to determine the status of the agreement and resolve the unpaid balance. Once that is complete, the executors of your parents' estates could sign a fulfillment deed to resolve any ownership issues. To get legal advice for your particular... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Washington on
Q: If my mother is named on the deed and was not married to my currently deceased father, can my siblings fight the sale?

My father and mother were never married. My grandparents transferred the deed to the house to both of them. My father passed before 2000 with no Will in the PR. My parents had split, and my father had other children. My mother is finally going to sell the house. We know about the inheritance law... View More

Janta Steele
Janta Steele
answered on Sep 9, 2024

No, that is not accurate. If someone other than your mother could inherit money from the sale of the house, then the house cannot be sold by your mother alone, and there has to be a probate to sell it. However it's still possible that only your mother inherits the house, and nobody else.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Products Liability for Washington on
Q: How is one included the current Zantac lawsuits in the State of WA? I don't have receipts of purchase

My entire family took Zantac for several years as my mother suffered from gastric and bladder cancer and had a big supply around the house.

I am currently being treated for prostate cancer, age 72

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 14, 2024

A Washington attorney might be able to advise best, but your question remains open for a week. If you used the prescription version, prescriptions could serve as records. If you took an OTC version, it's possible it could appear in your medical records. You could reach out to law firms that... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: My husband was in a car accident where he was the at fault driver. I was the passenger and broke my hand and two finger

The surgery for my hand cost over $40,000 and my PIP only covers me for $10,000. We are under the same insurance policy.

Am i able to sue my husband's insurance for my medical bills?

Will this affect my husband negatively, and if so, how?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 4, 2024

A Washington State attorney should advise here - since each state has different rules for spousal exclusions for claims involving occupants of the same vehicle.

Check with a local attorney. Ordinarily (where no family ties are an issue), the answer is a clear "yes," and it still...
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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: My husband was in a car accident where he was the at fault driver. I was the passenger and broke my hand and two finger

The surgery for my hand cost over $40,000 and my PIP only covers me for $10,000. We are under the same insurance policy.

Am i able to sue my husband's insurance for my medical bills?

Will this affect my husband negatively, and if so, how?

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Aug 2, 2024

Use the Justia Find a Lawyer tab and search for car accident or injury lawyers in your area---call a few of them and ask if they provide free consultations---for the ones who do, meet with 1 or 2 (or as many as you like) of the lawyers to discuss the specifics of your situation and how best to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Consumer Law and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: In small claims, what if all evidence was not presented to defendant will judge still hear the case?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 31, 2024

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week.

The short answer is that it could depend on the judge and how material to the issue at hand the missing evidence is. As a general rule nationwide in small claims, the court is not likely to grant the same...
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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: I was hit by a truck crossing the crosswalk and the guy driving the truck did not own it can I sue both people
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 5, 2024

You or your attorney might name both parties in a lawsuit, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you will have a double recovery. The company that operates the truck would ordinarily be accountable for injuries/damages arising from the actions of their employee in the course of their... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Employment Law, Business Law and Native American Law for Washington on
Q: I am an accountant. Can I be fired for not doing my previous trade of doing graphic art work for my employer?

I also work in a sovern tribe of Washington. However, codes enforce federal and Washington State laws.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 23, 2024

You can only be fired for not doing graphic art work if it is part of your job description or agreed-upon duties. If your employment contract or job role includes graphic art responsibilities, then not fulfilling these tasks could be a reason for termination.

However, if your primary role...
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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Employment Law, Business Law and Native American Law for Washington on
Q: I am an accountant. Can I be fired for not doing my previous trade of doing graphic art work for my employer?

I also work in a sovern tribe of Washington. However, codes enforce federal and Washington State laws.

Bao Tran
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Bao Tran
answered on Jul 25, 2024

As an accountant working for a sovereign tribe in Washington, you may have specific employment terms and conditions that are influenced by both tribal codes and state or federal laws. Here are some key considerations regarding your situation:

Job Duties and Employment Contracts...
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