As reported by the CBC in Canada, after 22 years, the US is lifting its travel ban against foreigners infected with HIV and AIDS.  South Korea has also given into international pressure and has lifted its travel ban as well. We are over the moon thrilled with these events and hope all Countries with a similar ban will reconsider such discriminatory polices.  For a touching story about one of the first Canadians to cross the Washington State border since the US ban has been lifted, please read the below CBC article or click here:

1. Birth or adoption of a child or grandchild: Every time you have another child, or a new grandchild is introduced into your family, you should revisit your will to ensure you have provided for the new child.

2. Death or change in relationship with your Personal Representative/Executor or Trustee: You spent a lot of time carefully considering which individual would best be suited to managing a trust or handling your estate upon your death. Should one of these individuals no longer be able to perform their duties, you should carefully consider who you would like to replace them and update your will to reflect those wishes.

3. Divorce: It is very important that upon a divorce both partners update their will to reflect their new life circumstances and wishes.

4. Re-Marriage: Should you remarry, you should create a new will to ensure your new family is provided for.

5. Death of a Beneficiary: Whenever one of your named beneficiaries dies, you should reflect upon how you would like to distribute their share.

6. Increases or decreases in the value of your estate: Anytime you encounter a significant increase or decrease in your estate it is essential you contact your attorney to ensure your will reflects your new circumstances.

7. Move out of State or the Country: Every state and country has different laws and in order to ensure your will is easily probated and still valid, you should contact an attorney in your new location.

8. Change in tax laws: A change in tax laws may greatly impact the distribution of your estate. Anytime new tax laws are introduced, individuals should contact their attorney to ensure their will is drafted with these new laws in mind. To find out more about WA State Taxes visit: http://dor.wa.gov/content/FindALawOrRule/

9. Special Needs: Your will is a vehicle for you to provide for those who may need special care. If someone in your family becomes ill or requires extra care, such arrangements can be made in your will and your will should be updated accordingly.

10. Yearly Check-In: You should look over your will every year to ensure it’s a reflection of your current wishes and circumstances. Make it habit to check your will around the same time each year – perhaps when you do your taxes, as any new assets or significant changes with respect to your estate will become apparent!

Charlene and I just had a really funny conversation that I think reflects exactly why democratizing the law is so difficult.  Charlene discovered a great website:  Free Canadian Legal Resources.  Their tag line is: “Democratizing the law one question at a time.” You may or may not know that Olea’s mission with this blog and our practice is to democratize the law too.  In an off-hand comment Charlene said, “Geez,  we should have copyrighted the idea of ‘democratizing the law!’”

There was a pause in the conversation just long enough for us both to realize how contradictory that would be and then we spent the next few minutes laughing at ourselves.  The reason I bring it up is that it is very difficult not to try to claim credit for anything that is different or progressive.  There are financial and professional incentives for trying to claim something as my own creation that make a thought like that automatic.

The irony is that evidently we didn’t come up with “Democratizing the Law” first although we did come up with it on our own.  Hopefully this is a sign that the idea is spontaneously coming to people all over the world.  The last thing that would help achieve actual democracy in the law would be to limit use of a term, but that is exactly the kind of thinking we have to learn to overcome as lawyers and professionals.

The cost of an attorney does not usually include filing fees but people often forget to include them in their budget for a cause of action.  Its understandable since the mantra, “Everyone get’s their day in court” clearly outshines the practical but boring “Don’t forget to budget for Court Fees.”  Not all counties have an updated list online, so contact your county clerk’s office and ask for the fees required for your cause of action BEFORE you go to the court house.

There are exceptions of course.  If you have a low income household or if you have dependents which make it impossible for you to afford court costs you can file a motion for an order to waive the fees.  The Northwest Justice Project is a great resource to help you do this for family law matters.