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Tag Archives: Olympia

Use Your Turn Signal, says Supreme Court

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The state Supreme Court says: yes, you must use your signal when turning or changing lanes.

RCW 46.61.305 states that “no person shall turn a vehicle or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety nor without giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided . . . a signal of intention to turn or move right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.

The court ruled unanimously that the phrase “when required” in state law dictates that drivers must use their signal continuously at least 100 feet ahead of making a turn or changing lanes.

“This ruling will have an impact on both driving infractions, as well as, personal injury cases where liability is an issue,” said Peter Abbarno, partner with Althauser Rayan Abbarno, a full service law firm in Centralia and Olympia. “This decision interprets the statutory language and should have some impact on cases of liability and probable cause.”

The ruling reverses the Court of Appeals that found a signal is required only when public safety is affected.  The decision came in the case of a Kennewick drunk driver who claimed a State Trooper had no cause to pull him over when he didn’t signal a turn.

Contact Althauser Rayan Abbarno

Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP has been representing individuals and businesses in our community since 1946. For a consultation in Centralia or Olympia call (360) 736-1301 or visit CentraliaLaw.com

 

 

Buying or Selling Property: Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) goes up January 1st!

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Effective Jan. 1, 2020, ESSB 5998 made changes to the real estate excise tax program, which can have a significant impact on certain property transactions, said Peter Abbarno and Todd Rayan, partners with the law firm Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP.

The real estate excise tax is imposed at the following rates, beginning January 1st:

  • 1.1 percent if the selling price is equal to or less than $500,000;
  • 1.28 percent on the portion of the selling price that is greater than $500,000, but equal to or less than $1,500,000;
  • 2.75 percent on the portion of the selling price that is greater than $1,500,000, but equal to or less than $3,000,000; and
  • 3 percent on the portion of the selling price that is greater than $3,000,000.

A rate of 1.28 percent is imposed on the sale of undeveloped land, timberland, agricultural land, and water or mineral rights, regardless of selling price.

There have been a lot of land classification and REET rate questions towards the end of the year, said Peter Abbarno, attorney with Althauser Rayan Abbarno. For certain property transactions, it was very important to finalize  prior to January 1 and avoid the tax increase.

Real estate excise tax (REET) is a tax on the sale of real estate. The real estate excise tax is typically paid by the seller of the property, although the buyer is liable for the tax if it is not paid. The tax applies to the seller. The tax also applies to transfers of controlling interests (50% or more) in entities that own property in the state.

Continue reading Buying or Selling Property: Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) goes up January 1st! →

I was hit by an uninsured driver. What should I do?

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I was hit by an uninsured driver! What should I do?

In the State of Washington, motorists are required to carry a minimum of Washington law requires that all motorists carry minimum liability insurance—at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability, up to $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 in property damage.

Unfortunately, an estimated 17.4% of drivers in Washington state are uninsured. This rate gives Washington the seventh highest uninsured rates in the United States.

If you are injured in a vehicle collision, there may not be enough money to pay your medical bills and fairly compensate you if the other driver was uninsured or carrying the state minimum. This is a common occurrence. Some injury clients have to rely on the following to pay for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

1) Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Continue reading I was hit by an uninsured driver. What should I do? →

Halloween Safety Tips!

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Halloween Safety Tips!

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Halloween is one of the top three days for pedestrian injuries and fatalities.

Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that children are four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year.

Halloween is a fun, so drivers, parents, and trick-or-treaters often forget the dangers. It is a time to be more alert. If you or someone you know is injured, call the injury attorneys with Althauser Rayan Abbarno at (360) 736-1301.

Here are some tips to keep you safe this Halloween:

Drivers

  • Slow down and obey all traffic signs and signals. Drive at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit to allow for more time to react if children run into the road;
  • Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. Dar costumes are hard to see and the pedestrians may be distracted;
  • Carefully enter and exit driveways and alleys; and
  • Turn on your headlights to make yourself more visible – even in at dusk.

Parents

Continue reading Halloween Safety Tips! →

18 Fatalities in Thurston County Collisions!

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We are only midway through October 2019 and there are 18 reported fatalities due to collisions in Thurston County! In total, there have been 2,806 collisions in Thurston County with 11 fatalities and more than 761 reported injuries.

Call Althauser Rayan Abbarno in Olympia and Centralia at (360) 736-1301

You may be thinking that an injury won’t happen to you or your family! However, statistics evidence that 52% of all vehicle collisions occur within 5 miles of home and only 17% occur more than 20 miles away from home.

Being injured in a vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian collision – or worst yet, having a loved one killed due to the negligence of another – sets off a chain of events nobody is prepared for; pain, suffering, grief, medical bills, insurance adjuster calls, lost wages, towing/impound fees, and property damage!

You have the right to legal advice and the right to help. Althauser Rayan Abbarno offers Free Injury Consultations with No Obligation!

What you should do!

Continue reading 18 Fatalities in Thurston County Collisions! →

11 Fatal Collisions in Lewis County!

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We are only midway through October 2019 and there are 11 reported fatalities due to collisions in Lewis County! In total, there have been 837 collisions in Lewis County with 11 fatalities and more than 225 reported injuries.

Althauser Rayan Abbarno Injury Attorneys in Olympia and Centralia.

You may be thinking that an injury won’t happen to you or your family! However, statistics evidence that 52% of all vehicle collisions occur within 5 miles of home and only 17% occur more than 20 miles away from home.

Being injured in a vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian collision – or worst yet, having a loved one killed due to the negligence of another – sets off a chain of events nobody is prepared for; pain, suffering, grief, medical bills, insurance adjuster calls, lost wages, towing/impound fees, and property damage!  You have the right to legal advice and the right to help.

Althauser Rayan Abbarno offers Free Injury Consultations with No Obligation!

What you should do!

Continue reading 11 Fatal Collisions in Lewis County! →

Hiring: Olympia & Centralia Family Law Attorney

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Do you want to be part of a great team?

Hiring A Family Law Attorney For Olympia and Centralia!

Althauser Rayan Abbarno is hiring a family law attorney!  Our Vibrant and Community Focused Law Firm has  offices in Olympia and Centralia and a very busy practice in both  Lewis and Thurston counties.

Althauser Rayan Abbarno was nominated best place to work in Lewis County and Best Customer Service in Lewis County by the Daily Chronicle four (4) years in a row. In 2018, our office won Best Place to Work in Lewis County.

Ideal candidate has 1-3 years of family law experience with knowledge of civil practice and court rules, and good writing and organization skills.

We work with our Family Law Clients on many issues, including

  • Divorce/Dissolution;
  • Community and separate property;
  • Child custody and parenting plans;
  • Visitation;
  • Domestic violence protection orders;
  • Anti-harassment orders;
  • Child support;
  • Spousal support and maintenance;
  • Post-secondary support;
  • Relocation; and
  • Modification.

Contact Us!

If you are interested in joining our Legal Team and work in Olympia and Centralia on Family Law cases, please submit cover letter and resume to Todd Rayan at todd@centralialaw.com.

Learn more about Althauser Rayan Abbarno at www.CentraliaLaw.com

Do you want to join our Team?

Best Customer Service and Best Place to Work!

Althauser Rayan Abbarno was nominated best place to work in Lewis County and Best Customer Service in Lewis County by the Daily Chronicle four (4) years in a row. In 2018, our office won Best Place to Work in Lewis County. We are glad our community noticed- Our clients also notice through better results!!

If you are interested in joining our Legal Team and work in Olympia and Centralia on Family Law cases, please submit cover letter and resume to Todd Rayan at todd@centralialaw.com.

 

Althauser Rayan Abbarno: September 2019 Newsletter

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September 2019 Newsletter

The attorneys and staff with Althauser Rayan Abbarno distribute a monthly newsletter to clients and potential clients.  Check out the September Newsletter from Althauser Rayan Abbarno.

 

For a Consultation in Olympia or Centralia call (360) 736-1301 or visit Centralialaw.com. Althauser Rayan Abbarno has been representing individuals and businesses in Washington since 1946.

Seattle Seahawks Injury Report versus New Orleans

The Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation attorneys with Althauser Rayan Abbarno are proud sponsors of the weekly Seattle Seahawks Injury Report and local live broadcast of the game.

FREE Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation Consultation in Olympia and Centralia by calling (360) 754-5844 or visiting www.CentraliaLaw.com.

Can Your Spouse Keep A Secret?

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Can Your Spouse Keep A Secret? Spousal Privilege!

The State of Washington’s Spousal Privilege is found in RCWA 5.60.060(1). How long will the privilege last?

The Washington provision states, with some exceptions, that a spouse shall not  testify against the other spouse without the consent of the spouse. This long-standing rule protects the confidential communications within a marriage and from one spouse receiving information and later sharing a private disclosure to the public in court.

A spouse or domestic partner shall not be examined for or against his or her spouse or domestic partner, without the consent of the spouse or domestic partner; nor can either during marriage or during the domestic partnership or afterward, be without the consent of the other, examined as to any communication made by one to the other during the marriage or the domestic partnership.

However, the New Mexico Supreme Court recently  abolished the spousal communication privilege in a murder case based on testimony by the defendant’s ex-wife and estranged current spouse.

The court said the privilege “has outlived its useful life,” reported by the Legal Profession Blog and the Associated Press. Justifications that have been cited for the privilege “seem little more than soaring rhetoric and legally irrelevant sentimentality,” the court said in its Aug. 30 opinion.

How long with the Spousal Privilege last in Washington and other states? Only more cases examining the privilege will tell, but it is likely receive more scrutiny.

Contact Althauser Rayan Abbarno in Olympia and Centralia!

Althauser Rayan Abbarno attorneys have been representing individuals and businesses in Washington since 1946. For a Consultation in Olympia or Centralia call (360) 736-1301 or visit www.CentraliaLaw.com

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