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Washington’s Legislature recently amended the Paid Sick Leave law in two important ways. Learn more about the updates in Kaya Lurie's latest blog post.

Updates to Washington’s Paid Sick Leave Law - Montgomery Purdue Washington’s Legislature recently amended the Paid Sick Leave law in two important ways. Learn about the updates here.

Mitch Wallum and Kristi O'Brien's latest blog post discusses recently published final regulations (the "Rule") by the Federal Trade Commission that would ban most non-compete agreements nationwide. The Rule goes into effect September 4, 2024. Learn more here!

Non-Compete Agreements May Be Banned Soon: What You Need to Know - Montgomery Purdue The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently published final regulations (the “Rule”) that would ban most non-compete agreements nationwide.

At first thought, you may be interested in preparing your own estate planning documents using online forms. However, there are many issues that can arise from drafting your own documents. Learn why you should work with an attorney to prepare your estate planning documents in Kaitlyn Perez's latest blog post.

Dangers of Online Estate Planning Forms - Montgomery Purdue Although you may believe your estate plan should be simple, there are a number of issues that can arise if your estate planning documents are not drafted correctly. Many of those issues are difficult and costly to resolve following your death and/or incapacitation. If possible, estate planning docum...

In short, new regulations establish limits on the personal guarantee, security deposit, and letters of credit requirements that most landlords can require in or as a condition of certain commercial leases for property located within the City of Seattle. Learn more in Stephanie Gero Dahlstrom's latest blog post.

Seattle Finance & Administrative Services Prepares Summary of Commercial Lease Requirements - Montgomery Purdue Seattle’s new regulations limiting a landlord’s ability to require certain financial obligations of commercial tenants operating in the City of Seattle have been codified in Chapter 6.104 of the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC). In short, the new regulations establish limits on the personal guarante...

A recent appellate court ruling held that “the CARES Act requires [a 30-day notice] only for evictions stemming from a tenant’s nonpayment of rent.” Learn what this means for some Washington landlords in Briana Irani's latest blog post.

KCHA v. Knight - Montgomery Purdue Some landlords in Washington can begin using 3-day and 10-day notices, regardless of whether their property is covered by the CARES Act.

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) voted 3-2 to approve final regulations (“Rule”) that would ban most non-compete agreements nationwide. Learn more in Mitch Wallum and Kristi O'Brien's latest blog post.

Federal Trade Commission Bans Non-Compete Agreements - Montgomery Purdue On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) voted 3-2 to approved final regulations (“Rule”) that would ban most non-compete agreements nationwide. Non-compete agreements bar a company’s workers from taking jobs with competitors or starting new competing businesses after they l...

Olympia recently enacted local legislation requiring landlords to register their properties and permit inspection. Learn more in Nathanial Close's latest article.

Olympia to Require Registration and Inspection for Residential Rental Properties - Montgomery Purdue Under the Residential Landlord Tenant Act, cities may require landlords to obtain a certificate of inspection as part of their business licensing or rental property registration requirements. See RCW 59.18.125. Olympia recently enacted local legislation requiring landlords operating in Olympia to re...

Washington landlords can breathe a sigh of relief as the sweeping changes to the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (“RLTA”) included in HB 2114 have died in the Washington Senate. Learn more in Michael Parrott's latest blog post.

HB 2114 Passes the House – Dies in the Senate - Montgomery Purdue Washington landlords can breathe a sigh of relief as the sweeping changes to the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (“RLTA”) included in HB 2114 have died in the Washington Senate. HB 2114 passed a vote in the House of Representatives and was introduced in the Washington Senate. However, as of the ...

On March 19, 2024, Governor Inslee signed Substitute Senate Bill 5787 into law, which adopts the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act (the “Act”). Learn how this affects common estate planning documents in Matt Hart's latest blog post.

Washington to Allow Nontestamentary Estate Planning Documents to be Signed Electronically - Montgomery Purdue Common estate planning documents such as trust agreements, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and guardian nominations can now be signed electronically.

On March 1, 2024, the Northern District of Alabama concluded Congress exceeded its constitutional authority by enacting the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). Mitch Wallum's latest blog post explains what this could mean for your business.

Federal Court Declares the Corporate Transparency Act Unconstitutional: What This Means for Your Business - Montgomery Purdue On March 1, 2024, in National Small Business United v. Yellen, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama held Congress exceeded its constitutional authority by enacting the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). This article discusses the decision and its implications. Background...

A new Division One Court of Appeal’s decision, Hollywood Hill Neighbors v. King County, has impacted the availability of the boundary line adjustment process for many parcels in unincorporated King County. Learn more in Nate Close's latest blog post.

New Court Opinion Limits the Availability of Boundary Line Adjustments in Unincorporated King County - Montgomery Purdue A new Division One Court of Appeal’s decision has impacted the availability of the boundary line adjustment process for many parcels in unincorporated King County.

Effective December 8, 2023, Tacoma landlords must consider the “Tenant Bill of Rights,” which Tacoma voters narrowly passed in the fall of 2023. The new chapter of the Tacoma Municipal Code, known as the Tacoma Landlord Fairness Code Initiative (the “Code”), includes sweeping changes dealing with a variety of landlord-tenant issues in Tacoma. Learn more in Michael Parrott's latest blog post.

The Tacoma Landlord Fairness Code Initiative - Montgomery Purdue Tacoma landlords must consider the “Tenant Bill of Rights,” which Tacoma voters narrowly passed in the fall of 2023.

On December 11, 2023, the Shoreline City Council passed Ordinance Number 996. If you are a landlord in Shoreline, you will want to be familiar with Shoreline’s new tenant protections. Learn more in Briana Irani's latest blog post.

Shoreline’s New Residential Tenant Protections - Montgomery Purdue On December 11, 2023, the Shoreline City Council passed Ordinance Number 996. If you are a landlord in Shoreline, you will want to be familiar with Shoreline’s new tenant protections.

Council Bill 120643 (which becomes law on January 29, 2024) will have significant impacts on many Seattle commercial landlords and tenants. Learn about the ordinance in Stephanie Dahlstrom's latest blog post.

City of Seattle Passes Limits on Financial Leasing Obligations of Commercial Tenants - Montgomery Purdue Council Bill 120643 (which becomes law on January 29, 2024) will have significant impacts on many Seattle commercial landlords and tenants.

There is a common misconception when it comes to estate planning: only people with significant wealth need an estate plan. Nearly any adult can benefit from an estate plan, including our youngest adults. Learn why parents should consider putting estate planning documents in place before young children leave the nest in Matt Hart's latest blog post.

Parents of Young Adults: Consider Putting Estate Planning Documents in Place Before They Leave the Nest - Montgomery Purdue There is a common misconception when it comes to estate planning: only people with significant wealth need an estate plan. In fact, an estate plan is simply a set of documents that tells the world what we want to happen to our bodies and with our finances when we are unable to do so ourselves. […]

Under the Pump Act, the almost 9 million previously excluded exempt employees are now entitled to breastfeeding protections, including break time and a private place to pump for up to one year after childbirth.

The PUMP Act Expands Key Protections for Nursing Employees to Express Breast Milk - Montgomery Purdue The PUMP Act expands the Break Time for Nursing Mothers Act (the Break Time Law), passed in 2010 as part of the Affordable Care Act. Under the Break Time Law, employers were required to provide nursing mothers reasonable break time to nurse and a private place to pump. However, because the Break Tim...

Voters in Bellingham recently passed Initiative 2023-02 (“Initiative 2”). The Initiative requires landlords to cover relocation expenses for tenants if they raise rent by eight percent or more in a 12-month period. Learn about it in Colleen Penny's latest blog post.

Raising Rent in Bellingham? You May have to Pay your Tenants to Move - Montgomery Purdue On November 10, 2023, voters in Bellingham passed Initiative 2023-02 (“Initiative 2”) with 61.98% of tallied votes. Initiative 2 requires landlords to cover relocation expenses for tenants if they raise rent by eight percent or more in a 12-month period. While this is not the first time Bellingh...

Allison Int-Hout's latest blog post discusses recent increases to the federal estate and gift tax exemption and the gift tax annual exclusion. Learn more here!

2024 IRS Increases to Federal Transfer Tax Exemption and Annual Exclusion for Gifts - Montgomery Purdue The IRS just issued Revenue Procedure 2023-34 announcing the 2024 increases to the federal estate and gift tax exemption and the gift tax annual exclusion. The 2024 federal estate and gift tax exemption has been increased to $13,610,000, up from $12,920,000 in 2023. The IRS also increased the annual...

The SECURE 2.0 Act, passed in December 2022, allows taxpayers to distribute funds from a 529 account to a ROTH IRA without taxes or penalties. Learn about the new rule and its limitations in Kaity Perez's latest blog post.

New Strategy Soon Available for 529 Accounts - Montgomery Purdue Many people use 529 accounts as part of their estate and financial plan to support their children’s education. However, it is not always certain whether children will use those funds or not (for example, the funds may not be used if a child does not attend college or receives collegiate scholarshi...

A recent federal court of appeals decision shows that determining when a gift is completed is not always as straightforward as it seems. Matt Hart's latest article discusses the decision and shares key takeaways.

Death Bed Giving: Cash Your Checks! - Montgomery Purdue A recent federal court of appeals decision shows that determining when a gift is completed is not always as straightforward as it seems.

Stephanie Gero Dahlstrom's latest blog post includes information about Washington's Open Space Taxation Act and its impact on property taxes. Check it out!

Washington’s Open Space Taxation Act: Potential Property Tax Savings - Montgomery Purdue Washington’s Open Space Taxation Act may be the key to reducing property owner's tax burden. Learn about the Act here.

Allison Int-Hout's latest blog post gives us an introduction to the different Estate Planning documents. Check it out!

The Basics of Estate Planning Documents - Montgomery Purdue We’ve all heard people say, “You need to have a Will,” or, “You should set up an estate plan,” but what does that actually mean? A typical estate plan goes beyond just making a Will and usually includes several other planning documents. While most people think of a Will when they think abo...

Kaya Lurie's latest blog posts gives insight into the Supreme Court's recent ruling about religious accommodations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Check it out!

The Supreme Court’s Religious Accommodation Ruling - Montgomery Purdue On June 29, 2023, in Groff v. DeJoy, the Supreme Court of the United States clarified for the first time in nearly fifty years the burden an employer must demonstrate to deny an accommodation for an employee’s religious beliefs in the workplace under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Titl...

Allison Int-Hout gives us the latest updates on natural organic reduction, or "human composting", and other alternative disposition of remains in her newest blog post.

An Update on Human Composting in Washington State - Montgomery Purdue In 2020, Washington became the first state to pass a law allowing for more environmentally friendly methods to dispose of human remains. Since then, a method known as “human composting” has gained in popularity here and in other states. Alternative methods to traditional burial and cremation hav...

Check out Nathanial Close's latest blog post. In it, he breaks down recent federal court interpretations of Washington’s Noncompetition Covenants Act.

Nonsolicitation Agreements for Independent Contractors - Montgomery Purdue Recent federal court interpretations of Washington’s Noncompetition Covenants Act, Chapter 49.62 RCW, (“Act”) may give employers new confidence in using properly drafted nonsolicitation agreements with their independent contractors, regardless of how much the independent contractors are paid. ...

One Man's Shed is Another Man's... Dwelling? Michael Parrott's latest blog post discusses the unpredictable results that the “just cause” requirement in Washington’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (the “RLTA”) has created that should lead landlords and property owners (collectively, “Landlords”) to tread carefully in considering their basis to pursue an unlawful detainer action.

One Man’s Shed is Another Man’s…Dwelling? - Montgomery Purdue Washington’s Eviction “Just Cause” Requirement The “just cause” requirement in Washington’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (the “RLTA”) has created unpredictable results that should lead landlords and property owners (collectively, “Landlords”) to tread carefully in considering ...

Check out Karly Clendenen's latest blog post: Overtime Pay Required: Daily-Rate Workers Cannot Qualify for the “Highly Compensated Employee Exemption” Under the FLSA

Overtime Pay Required: Daily-Rate Workers Cannot Qualify for the “Highly Compensated Employee Exemption” Under the FLSA - Montgomery Purdue Gone are the days when daily-rate employees were considered exempt from overtime pay requirements under the FLSA. In February, the United States Supreme Court held in Helix Energy Sols. Grp., Inc. v. Hewitt, 143 S. Ct. 677 (2023) that an employee paid on a daily-rate basis must still be paid for ove...

Learn about the Court's decision in Matt Hart's latest blog post.

Washington Capital Gains Tax Ruled Constitutional by Washington Supreme Court - Montgomery Purdue WA Supreme Court held that the controversial capital gains tax enacted by the Washington State Legislature in 2021 is constitutional.

Check out Josh Pope's latest blog post to learn about recapture provisions in commercial leases.

The Importance of Recapture Provisions in Commercial Leases - Montgomery Purdue Having the ability to rescind/withdraw an assignment or sublease request to avoid the harsh result of a recapture provision is critical to a tenant.

As the commercial landlord-tenant landscape continues to recover from the COVID-related disruptions, Washington courts continue to provide new guidance on the knock-on effects of government shutdown orders. Learn more from Henry Ross's latest blog post.

Court of Appeals Gives Commercial Landlords and Tenants Key Guidance to Address COVID Shutdown Disputes - Montgomery Purdue Co-author: Scott Feir, Partner – Montgomery Purdue PLLC Each Specific Lease’s Allocations of Risks Will Be Critical to Evaluating Landlord Claims for Unpaid Rent or Tenant Claims that Rent Should Be Waived As the commercial landlord-tenant landscape continues to recover from the COVID-related di...