Washington Legal Guides
12 guides covering Washington topics, each with CaseDiver search beside the article.
- Castle Doctrine in Washington: Deadly Force Against Intruders
Washington castle doctrine: when occupants may use deadly force against home intruders, key statutes (Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.16.050), presumptions, and leading cases.
- Court Holds Beneficiary Designation Form Not an ERISA “Plan Document”
ERISA is a federal statutory system that governs most corporate retirement plans. At the heart of the operation of an ERISA- governed plan is the concept of the “plan documents.” In a case of first impression, a Federal Court of Appeals hol…
- How Do You Make a Valid Will In Washington?
To make a valid will in Washington State, the will must be: In writing Signed by the testator Witnessed The requirements to make a valid will in Washington are set forth in Washington Rev. Code § 11.12.020 . Who Can Make a Valid Will…
- How to Revoke a Will in Washington State
Aggrieved heirs of a decedent may wish to file an action to revoke or contest a will in Washington State, on grounds such as undue influence, lack of capacity, fraud, or mistake. Under Washington State law, here is how to revoke a will. Wha…
- Stand Your Ground Laws in Washington
Washington stand-your-ground overview (judicial (case-law) stand-your-ground): duty to retreat, statutes, civil immunity, and controlling cases.
- Surviving Spouse Rights Washington
Surviving spouses have protected rights and benefits under Washington state law, including: Community Property Intestate Share Omitted Spouse Rights Award Allowance Surviving spouse rights in Washington center around community proper…
- The Supreme Court of Washington: Surviving Spouse Gave Up Right to Intestate Succession in Separation Contract
The Supreme Court of Washington held in a May 2020 opinion, In Re Estate of Petelle , that the right of a surviving spouse to intestate succession can be waived in a separation contract, even if not expressly mentioned. Broad language waivi…
- Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Agreements in Washington State
Washington State has a comprehensive statutory system for resolving trust and estate disputes, known as the Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act , ("TEDRA") at Chapter 11.96A RCW. TEDRA contains detailed procedures for litigating and set…
- Washington Child Support Guidelines: How Support Is Calculated
How Washington calculates child support under Wash. Rev. Code ch. 26.19, including the income shares, deviations, modification, and leading cases.
- Washington Spousal maintenance: Eligibility, Amount, and Duration
How Washington courts award spousal maintenance under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.090: eligibility, statutory factors, duration, and leading cases.
- Who Are Next Of Kin In Washington?
Next of kin of a decedent under Washington law generally means the persons nearest in degree of blood surviving the decedent, and are the following people in the following order: Spouse Children Parents Siblings Grandparents Aunts and uncle…
- Who Can Serve As Personal Representative Washington State?
Washington state requires that a personal representative must be: At least 18 years old, and Of sound mind Have no felony convictions or convictions for a crime involving moral turpitude. RCW § 11.28.040 and § 26.28.010 , § 11.36.010. Corpo…