"Avoid costly legal complications and prevent family acrimony"

Last Will & Testament directs the transfer of property to heirs named in the Will. Reciprocal Wills between spouses/partners transfer property to each other with specific bequests to others.

Will with a Testamentary Trust included in the Will sets up a Trust for an underage or incompetent heir or for special beneficiaries.

Community Property Agreement is an essential document to prevent probate of an estate after the death of one spouse. Both spouses/partners agree that all the property is community property and will go to the other spouse upon death without probate. Specific exceptions can be made.

Revocable Living Trust is used instead of a Will to transfer property without a probate and without public access to personal estate matters. Useful if there is property in two or more states. Avoids probate upon the death of the Trustors. Property must be transferred into the Trust.

Irrevocable Trusts, including Special Needs Trusts, are used to protect assets from creditors and, in some cases, to maximize public assistance benefits for the beneficiary.

Transfer on Death Deeds can dictate who gets real property upon the death of the Grantor. This is completely revocable.“Avoid costly legal implications and prevent family acrimony.”

“Get it done and stop worrying about it—— if not now, when?”

James Doran - Attorney At Law

Essential Estate Planning Documents:

The Great American Illusion

Additional Suggested Estate Planning Tools:

General Durable Power of Attorney gives another person the power to act on behalf of the principal in all matters. This power can be conferred immediately or only upon the incapacity of the principal.

Limited Power of Attorney grants power to another for specific acts and for a specific time, such as to buy or sell a particular property while the principal is unavailable.

Medical Power of Attorney grants the power to make medical decisions to another person, usually done in conjunction with the Medical Directive to Physicians.

Medical Directive to Physicians provided certified directions to health care providers to allow a person to die under certain circumstances, sometimes called a “Living Will”.

Prenuptial Agreement or Agreement As to the Status of Property: pre-marital or post-marital agreements as to the ownership of property acquired before or during the marriage; may alter community property rights.

(Note: Multiple document discount available. Notary Public Services Provided.)

“Take care of great issues while they are still small.” “Control your personal destiny.”

Estate Administration and the Transfer of Assets:

Probate of an Estate is the legal process used to transfer real property and other assets from the name of the deceased to the name of the heirs. Creditors of the estate are forever barred from collection. A Personal Representative, a/k/a Executor, as named in the Will or by intestate rights is empowered by the Court to dispose of the estate.

Beneficiary Designations for bank accounts, retirement accounts, stock investments and insurance proceeds can be transferred in expensively outside of the estate by this “forgotten tool”.

Small Estate Affidavit of Inheritance is a simple mechanism used by survivors to transfer small estate without real estate containing personal property, bank accounts or investments not over $110,000 in value. Cannot be used to transfer real estate.

“Plan your affairs so that what you want to happen to your property actually happens”

Personal Injury Claims

Insurance Homeowners insurance, automobile insurance, landlord insurance and commercial and public premises insurance will provide relief from medical bills, lost wages, property damage and compensation for pain and suffering if you are injured.

You are most likely covered by one of these insurance programs to a greater extent than you think. For example, there are likely two or three sources for recovery in an automobile accident.

Don’t be stoic; get the compensation you are entitled to. Most personal injuries have a three year statute of limitations. Don’t delay. (Attorney fees on a contingency basis.)

Real Estate Matters & Landlord Tenant Issues

Real Estate Purchase & Sales Make sure of the fine print before signing.

Miscellaneous Contracts Business or residential or private dealings. Get it in writing.

Easements Agricultural or residential properties. Scope of an easement. Prescriptive easements. Extinguishment of easements.

Leases & Leases with Option to Purchase Again, get it in writing.

Evictions Proper notices are needed. Deposits and fees. Responsibilities of landlord and of tenants. What constitutes a breach? What are the remedies? Unlawful detainer (eviction) actions.

You thought that when you die you were going to give your estate to your children? Guess again.

Long-term nursing home care is very expensive, as much as $7,000 per month. Medicare does not cover that expense. Your estate will be used to pay for the medical care unless you protect it.

To preserve and protect your assets for your heirs you need to make the right plan.

Everyone gets sick and dies.

Qualifications & Relevant Experience

• Private law practice in Bellingham, WA from 2010 to current.
• New Mexico Forest Industry Association – Executive Director 2009 – 2010.
• Private law practice in Twisp, WA from 1984 to 2009; Trained in Interest Based Dispute Resolution (IBDR).
• Independent Contractor as Community Forestry Resources 2004 – 2009.
• Founder and Executive Director of the Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition 2001 to 2005; Founder and Coordinator of the Coeur d’Alene Forest Coalition 2006 – 2009; Founder and coordinator of the Payette Forest Coalition 2009.
• Mayor of the Town of Twisp, Washington from 1996 through 2000.
• Co-founder and President of the North Central Washington Business Revolving Loan Fund from 1995 through 2000.
• Board member of the Okanogan County Economic Development Council from 2000 through 2005.
• Co-founder of the Partnership for a Sustainable Methow – 1998.
• Initiating co-member of the Methow Basin Watershed Planning Unit – 1998.
• Project consultant for the Small Diameter Wood Initiative project and Value Added Product Portfolio project – 1998 through 2000.
• Chairman of the Methow Valley Citizens Council 1996 through 2000 during Early Winters resort controversy and resolution.
• Initiator, co-founder and fundraiser for the Methow Conservancy – 1997.
• Superior Court law clerk during the adjudication of water rights to Deadman Creek – 1981 through 1984.
• Land surveying from 1972 through 1978.
Education
• Gonzaga University School of Law – Law degree in 1984 – admitted to practice in Washington State 1985 and New Mexico 2011• Seattle University – Graduate cum laude in Sociology 1980.• Twisp High School – graduated in 1971Personal• Lifelong resident of Twisp & re-located to Bellingham, WA in 2010.• Raised on a working cattle ranch in Okanogan County, WA.• Hobbies: Skiing, fly fishing, camping, horses, writing.

• Born March 31, 1953.• Adept at personal computer technologies.

100 East Pine St - Suite 205

Bellingham, WA 98225

Phone: (360) 393-9506

Email: james@doranlegal.net

Estate Matters: Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney,
Medical Directives. Prenuptial Agreements. Probate of Estates.

Personal Injury Cases: Auto or Other Accidents & Insurance Claims,
(Fees on contingency basis.)

Contracts & Business: Various Contracts, Real Estate Sales & Purchases, Business Formation: LLC, Partnership, Corporation.

Real Estate Matters: Deeds, Easements, Leases, Co-Ownerships.

Landlord – Tenant Matters: Leases, Notices, Fees & Deposits Evictions

Practicing law since 1985

“Helping Clients Through Difficult Times
and Complicated Circumstances”