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AREAS OF PRACTICE
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS has been providing exceptional legal services since 1925. Our general civil practice law firm is proud to have earned an AV rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, the highest rating offered.
To Learn more about our many areas of practice, you may click on a category from the menu below. If you do not see the area of practice in which you are needing help, please Contact Our Office to find out if we can assist you. |
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Alternate Dispute Resolution
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Family Law (divorce, adoption, etc.) |
Business/Corporation/Limited Liability Company
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Guardianship |
| Church Liability and Religious Freedom Issues |
Insurance Claims |
| Clearing Convictions and Restoring Rights |
Insurance Defense |
| Commercial Collection |
Labor Relations |
| Construction Law |
Land Use and Zoning |
| Consumer Rights (lemon law, etc.) |
Landlord/Tenant (unlawful detainer, eviction, etc.) |
| Creditor and Debtor Rights |
Personal Injury/Wrongful Death |
| Employment (discrimination, wage claims, etc.) |
Public Government Law |
Elder Law
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Real Estate Litigation (boundary disputes, etc.) |
| Estate Planning |
Real Estate Transactions |
| Estate Probate |
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ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS provides mediator and arbitrator services for non-judicial resolution of disputes.
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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BUSINESS/CORPORATION/LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS serves businesses of many sizes and in various stages of development. Our attorneys have knowledge in: business entities, including limited liability companies, partnerships, limited partnerships, joint ventures and cooperatives.
- Business formation matters
- Business purchase and sales
- Corporation law, including director and officer matters, fiduciary duty and shareholder agreements
- Corporate reorganization and restructuring
- Contract and commercial law
- Noncomplete agreements
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Estate and business succession planning
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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CHURCH LIABILITY and RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ISSUES
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS can assist clients with the following issues:
- Liability
- Employment
- Internal relations
- Church-state relations
- Private schooling
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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CLEARING CONVICTIONS and RESTORING RIGHTS
Under Washington Law, individuals ay be able to clear conviction records, restore civil rights and/or restore firearm possession rights if certain eligibility requirements are met. WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS can assist in determining eligibility and application for the following:
- Restore civil rights
- Restore rights to possess firearms
- Seal records of juvenile offenders
- Vacate misdemeanor conviction records
- Vacate records for nonviolent Class B or C felony convictions for offenses on/after July 1, 1984
PRACTICING ATTORNEY:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS forms: New Client Intake Form
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COMMERCIAL COLLECTION
- Debt collection for businesses
- Defenses provided for creditors
- Garnishment
PRACTICING ATTORNEY:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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CONSTRUCTION LAW
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS offers services for a variety of matters in construction law and litigation. Our clients range from contractors doing business in the Northwest to local and regional companies involved in projects in the public and private sectors. We assist clients in the areas of:
- Preparation of contracts
- Contract disputes
- Construction liens
- Construction defects
- Arbitration and mediations
- Contract negotiations
- Claims litigation
- Insurance matters
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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CONSUMER RIGHTS (lemon law, unfair business practice, etc.)
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS provides advice and representation in the area of Consumer Rights, including the following:
- Lemon Law
- Motor Vehicle Repair
- Unfair or deceptive business practices
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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CREDITOR and DEBTOR RIGHTS
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS offers the following services for matters including:
- Executions against real and personal property and writs of garnishments
- Garnishments
- Collection of judgements
- Real estate foreclosures/forfeitures
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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ELDER LAW
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS can assist with tax and estate planning issues. We counsel clients regarding planning for incapacity with alternative decision making documents. The rules and standards are constantly changing, which requires that we maintain a detailed understanding of the many levels of intricate and shifting laws and regulations.
- Estate planning and probate
- Durable powers of attorney
- Guardianships and conservatorships
- Asset protection
PRACTICING ATTORNEY:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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EMPLOYMENT (discrimination, wage claim, wrongful termination)
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS provides practical and cost-effective advice and representation in the following areas of Employment-Discrimination:
- Sexual harassment
- Employment contracts
- Wrongful discharge
- Non-competition agreements
- Wage and hour compliance
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Disability accommodations
- Compliance with employment laws. employer investigations
- Separation and non-compete agreements
- Hiring, discipline and termination processes
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS forms: New Client Intake Form
Employment Law Questionnaire (for employees)
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ESTATE PLANNING
Our attorneys can provide you with knowledgeable advice and prepare your Will, Trust Will, Codicil, Simple and Complex Trusts, Living Trust, Community Property Agreement, Power of Attorney, Health Care Directive and other related documents. Areas include:
- Durable powers of attorney
- Revocable Trusts and Wills
- Will contests
- Community property agreements
- Health care directives and planning
- Tax and Retirement planning
- Medicaid and long-term care
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS forms: New Client Intake Form
Estate Planning Questionnaires: Married Couple
Single Person
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ESTATE/PROBATE
Legal and financial concerns can be complex and emotional with the death of a loved one. WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS can assist with the following:
- Managing and protecting the assets of an estate
- Determining the validity of ad paying creditor’s claims
- Resolving disputes among beneficiaries
- Proper after-death tax planning
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS forms: New Client Intake Form
Estate - Probate Questionnaire
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FAMILY LAW (divorce, separation, adoption, name change, etc.)
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS provides quality legal representation in the following areas of Family Law:
- Divorce
- Pre and post nuptial agreements
- Annulments
- Legal separation
- Spousal support issues
- Custody and visitation
- Child support and modifications
- Parent relocation
- Paternity
- Domestic partnerships
- Restraining orders
- Protection orders
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS forms: New Client Intake Form
Family Law Questionnaires: Dissolution/Divorce
Financial Declaration
Parenting Plan
Child Support
Modification
Adoption
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GUARDIANSHIP
There are two types of Guardianships, one for the Person (personal and health care), and one for the Estate (financial). A person can have a Limited Guardianship of either the Person or the Estate, or a Full Guardianship of the Person and Estate.
Most commonly, the need for a guardianship may arise for adults who are no longer able to manage their personal and financial matters and who do not have alternative planning in place, such as a power of attorney or trust.
We have also assisted in establishing guardianships where the parents or relatives of a disabled minor child wish to manage their child’s matters upon the child reaching the age of majority. The need for a guardianship may also arise when a minor child will be a beneficiary of a settlement in litigation or will be receiving an inheritance outside of a testamentary trust.
After a person is appointed as the Guardian of a Person and/or Estate, they are required to prepare reports to the Court reflecting the care and/or finances of the incapacitated person.
We provide services in all areas of Guardianship, including by not limited to:
- Establishing guardianships of the person and estate
- Representing private guardians, Certified Professional Guardians and agencies in obtaining court approval on guardianship accounts
- Court-supervised sales of real property owned by guardianship estates
- Terminating guardianships
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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INSURANCE CLAIMS:
Insurance companies defend two kinds of cases. Typical of this first type are personal injury cases arising from motor vehicle collisions, defective products, and the like.
The second type of case typically involves a person who has purchased insurance and their own company is not providing the benefits that were promised under the policy. Such “first party” cases often involve auto, homeowners, or health insurance policies.
- Personal injury claims
- Property Damage claims
- Homeowner claims
- Fire Loss claims
- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists
- Personal Injury Protection/Medical Expense claims
- Wage Loss claims
- Disability Insurance claims
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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INSURANCE DEFENSE
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS offers vast experience representing insurance companies and their insured. Our lawyers pursue alternative dispute resolution when it is in the best interest of our clients. When trial is the best option, however we bring significant courtroom experience and the resources necessary to professional defend all claims from the routine to the complex.
Types of Insurance Defense follow but are not limited to:
- automobile
- homeowners
- premises liability
- product liability
- claims of professional negligence
- complex business litigation
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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LABOR RELATIONS
We represent and advise employers on a broad range of issues, including:
- compliance with the Title VII
- state anti-discrimination laws
- affirmative action requirements
- termination and/or lay offs
- health and safety matters
- workplace violence
- wrongful discharge
- wage and hour
- unemployment compensation
- problem employees, union/labor relations
- WISHA defense for employers and business owners
- drug and alcohol testing
- employee benefits, and employment-related tax questions
- drafting and administering personnel policies/employee handbooks
- employment, trade secret
- non competition agreements
Often, these issues arise in the context of complaints to government agencies; demands from current or former employees; and claims in arbitration, in litigation, or other contested proceedings.
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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LAND USE and ZONING
A part of the firm’s practice focuses on real estate and land use matters. The firm is involved in various complex and simple real estate matters, including:
- buying and selling of properties (vacant and developed)
- leasing
- preparation of CC&Rs
- formation of homeowners associations and title insurance
- various entitlements and development approvals
- master planning
- zoning
- variances and use permits
- development agreements
- building permit matters
- design review issues
PRACTICING ATTORNEY:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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LANDLORD/TENANT (unlawful detainer, eviction, etc.)
At WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS we represent clients with:
- Negotiating and preparing commercial leases
- Advising lessors and lessees regarding their legal rights and obligations
- Litigating disputes that arise under leases
- Unlawful detainer/eviction actions
- Rental agreements
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
Unlawful Detainer/Eviction Questionnaire (for Landlords only)
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PERSONAL INJURY/WRONGFUL DEATH
If you are injured through the negligence of others or another party is responsible for your family member’s death, our attorneys will aggressively pursue full compensation for your financial and personal losses. WALSTED MERTSCHING PS offers free consultation for persons who have been injured by another person’s negligence and provides representation on a contingent fee basis. If no recovery is obtained, no attorney feel will be charged.
Our experienced trial lawyers handle a variety of issues including:
- Auto Accidents
- Wrongful Death claims
- Medical Malpractice
- Unsafe Premises
- Product Defects
- Nursing Home Negligence
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
Personal Injury Questionnaire
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PUBLIC GOVERNMENT LAW
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS provides our local government clients with professional and comprehensive legal advice. Our attorneys have special expertise in assisting municipalities in their intergovernmental relations.
We provide representation in the following specialized fields in which issues may arise for municipalities:
- Environmental Law
- Employee Benefits
- Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- Public Finance
- Real Estate
- Municipal Labor and Employment
- Public Contracts and Construction
- Public Policy and Ethics Compliance
- Public Records Act
- Redevelopment, Economic Development and Housing
- Streets and Highways
- Telecommunications
- Utilities and Infrastructure
- Water, Sanitation and Solid Waste
- Zoning, Planning and Land Use
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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REAL ESTATE LITIGATION (boundary dispute, quiet title, foreclosure/forfeiture, etc.)
When property owners or neighbors cannot agree upon their property rights, the attorneys at WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS will provide advice and analysis to identify the rights and the options available.
Our lawyers have extensive experience in litigating a wide variety of matters before the courts and government agencies, including:
- Boundary disputes
- Title claims
- Lien claims
- Deed of Trust foreclosures (judicial and non-judicial)
- Real Estate Contract forfeiture
- Landlord/Tenant claims
- and other Real Estate matters
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS represents individuals and businesses in regard to the many complex issues that can arise in real estate transactions. Our attorneys are experienced in working with developers, brokers and local, state and federal government officials in achieving its clients’ goals. We regularly represent clients before local government governing bodies such as zoning boards, county councils and city councils. Our firm routinely advises and represents clients in the following areas of real estate law:
- Acquisition and Sales
- Lending and Financing
- Land Use, Environmental & Zoning
- Development and Construction
- Leasing
- Condominium, Subdivision and Community Development
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS:
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS form: New Client Intake Form
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The information presented on this web site is not intended to be legal advice regarding your specific situation and is not intended to replace the work or advice of an attorney. Accessing this web site, these web pages or email transmissions does not create either an expressed or implied attorney-client relationship. Any disclosure of confidential information is not protected and may be detrimental to you if we already have an existing attorney-client relationship with a party who may be adverse to you.
The information presented on these forms is not intended to be legal advice regarding your specific situation and is not intended to replace the work or advice of an attorney. Accessing these forms through the WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS web site (www.walstead.com) does not create either an expressed or implied attorney-client relationship. Any disclosure of confidential information is not protected and may be detrimental to you if we already have an existing attorney-client relationship with a party who may be adverse to you.
By submitting any of these forms, you agree that no information disclosed by you shall prohibit WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS or its individual attorneys from representing a different client in this matter.
WALSTEAD MERTSCHING PS PS offers these forms in Portable Document Format (.pdf). To read and print the forms, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed on your computer. If you need to install this program, you can download the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader by clicking on this button.
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