Law Office of Donna Person Smith
Call for a Consultation

253-212-3924
Tacoma Office

253-840-0288
Puyallup Office

  • Family Law Attorney
    • Divorce
    • Child Support
    • Custody
    • Parental Modifications
    • Family Law FAQ
  • Criminal Defense Attorney
    • DUI
    • Criminal Defense FAQ
  • Wills and Estate
    • Estate Planning Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • About
  • News
  • Contact
Donna Person Smith, Attorney
Click To Call

Why You May Still Have to Open a Legal Probate Proceeding

January 16, 2023DeveloperFamily Law

Probate is the legal process for recognizing the validity of a person’s will after their death and appointing the nominated decision maker. This person, also known as an executor or personal representative, administers the deceased person’s estate and ensures that their money and property are transferred to the beneficiaries specified in their will. If someone…

Read More

Estate Planning Issues for the Modern Family

January 16, 2023DeveloperEstate Planning

As the name suggests, ABC’s TV show Modern Family depicts the relationships and experiences between a fictional extended family. Throughout the course of the series, the show addresses many issues that families deal with each day. For a close-knit family such as this fictional one, estate planning is crucial to ensure that everyone is protected…

Read More

Important Issues to Address Before You Leave on Vacation

November 29, 2022DeveloperWills Estate And Probate

Getting ready to embark on your next great adventure? Before you zip up the last suitcase, here are five issues you need to address to protect yourself and your loved ones. Do you have a foundational estate plan? Has it been reviewed? An estate plan is a set of instructions memorialized in legal documents that…

Read More

The Death of Anne Heche: Lessons for Estate Planning

November 3, 2022DeveloperEstate Planning

Anne Heche’s recent accidental death was a shocking reminder of how the everyday can quickly turn into the tragic. While driving through the Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles on August 5, 2022, Heche was involved in a car crash and succumbed to her injuries a week later. The official cause of death was burns…

Read More

The Pros and Cons of Probate

October 21, 2022DeveloperEstate Planning

In estate planning circles, the word “probate” often carries a negative connotation. Indeed, for many people—especially those with valuable accounts and property—financial planners recommend trying to keep accounts and property out of probate whenever possible. That being said, the probate system was ultimately established to protect the deceased’s accounts and property as well as their…

Read More

What if I Cannot Find a Beneficiary?

October 14, 2022DeveloperFamily Law

When someone has named you as the executor (also known as a personal representative) of their will or the trustee of their trust passes away, you are obligated to distribute that person’s money and property according to the document’s terms to the designated beneficiaries. (For convenience, the roles of executor and trustee will be referred…

Read More

Assisted Reproductive Technology and the Real Impact on Estate Planning

September 30, 2022DeveloperEstate Planning

According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 2 percent of all infants born in the United States (83,946 in 2019) were conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART). ART is defined by the CDC as all fertility treatments in which both eggs and embryos are handled. It can involve many…

Read More

Harmless Error Statute – A Saving Grace

September 8, 2022DeveloperFamily Law

When somebody dies without a legally recognized will, their money and property are typically subject to default state rules that determine who will receive it. To assert control over who will receive their money and property and who will wind up their affairs, many people choose to have a will prepared. In order for a…

Read More

Using Assisted Reproductive Technology: What Happens to Unused Genetic Material at Your Death?

July 15, 2022DeveloperFamily Law, Wills Estate And Probate

When you think about how you want your property to be distributed after your death, most of the time it is easy to identify that property—your home, your cars, your jewelry, etc. But what about the genetic material used in assisted reproductive technology, such as frozen sperm, eggs, and embryos? Is genetic material stored with…

Read More

Important Questions to Ask When Investing in a Vacation Property

June 17, 2022DeveloperWills Estate And Probate

According to the National Association of Home Builders, in 2018 there were approximately 7.5 million second homes, making up 5.5 percent of the total number of homes.[1] These homes are not only real estate that must be planned for, managed, and maintained, they are also the birthplace of happy memories for you and your loved…

Read More

Posts navigation

< 1 2 3 4 5 >

Puyallup Office

3708 14th St Place SW Puyallup, WA 98373
Tel:253-840-0288


Tacoma Office

14718 Union Ave SW
Lakewood, WA 98498
Tel:253-840-0288

 

Facebook
Google+
LinkedIn
Yelp
Avvo

COVID-19 UPDATE:
Additional Information for you.

Click here to learn more
COVID-19 UPDATE

PLEASE NOTE: The State and Local courts in Pierce and King Counties have implemented changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such Court will not be held until late April or May, except for emergency hearings with a few exceptions. The court in Pierce County is also allowing for family law motions by scheduled and decided based on written motion only (no oral argument) so we are able to address family law matters without having to personally appear. If you have an emergency family law matter or domestic violence situation, those matters will still be heard in all courts and you will not have to wait to have your matter before the court for relief.

While our office will still be working diligently on your cases, for the health and safety of our community, appointments will be telephonic or via Skype if possible. To schedule an appointment please call the office at 253-840-0288.

© 2020 Donna Person Smith - Privacy Statement