Lynden, WA Consumer Law

Tools and Resources for Lynden, WA Consumers

Washington Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Washington PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Whatcom County: Key information about your local probate court (Superior Court in Washington) for Whatcom County.
• How Probate Works in Washington: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Whatcom County's probate court.
  • Here are links to Washington probate forms from the Washington probate court website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Washington: Learn how to use Washington's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In Washington, you can use an Affidavit if the value of assets subject to probate, less liens and encumbrances, is $100,000 or less. This figure doesn't count surviving spouse's property or partner's community property interest.  40-day waiting period.

    Wash. Rev. Code 11.62.010 and following.

    The court may grant a request for settlement without court intervention if the estate is solvent and:

    • if there's a Will, the personal representative makes a request
    • if there's no Will, the surviving spouse or domestic partner makes the request, and the estate consists entirely of community property, and the decedent let no children or grandchildren from another relationship, or
    • the personal representative is not a creditor of the decedent and the court determines it would be in the best interest of the beneficiaries and creditors.

    Wash. Rev. Code 11.68.011 and following.

• Washington Estate Taxes:

  • The state of Washington imposes an estate tax on property owned in Washington. If you are inheriting property from the state of Washington, it may be subject to estate tax if the overall value of the estate is more than $2,193,000.

• Avoiding Probate in Washington. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

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Washington Wage & Hour Law

• Washington Minimum Wage:  

  • The minimum wage in Washington is $16.28 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in The Evergreen State must be paid at least $16.28 an hour. A couple of local governments in Washington have passed ordinances establishing a higher minimum wage.

  • Learn more about Washington’s minimum wage at https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/wages/minimum-wage/.

• Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Washington and whether they apply to you.

  • If you work more than 40 hours in a workweek, your employer must pay you 1-1/2 times your regular hourly wage for each overtime hour you work, unless you are exempt. You can find out more about Washington's overtime rules at the Overtime and Exemptions page of the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries website. 

• Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Washington. 

  • The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has posted information and a form to file a wage claim at its website. 

• Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Washington.

  • The tipped minimum wage in Washington is the same as the regular minimum wage: $16.28 an hour. Tips don't count against an employer's obligation to pay the minimum wage. 

• State Labor Board:
  • Learn more about your rights under Washington law from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. 866-219-7321

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Washington Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Washington: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • In Washington, unemployment benefits range from $323 per week or your estimated weekly wage, whichever is less to $1,019 per week.
  • Formula:

    In Washington, your weekly benefit amount will be 3.85% of your average quarterly earnings in the two highest paid quarters of the base period. 

  • Duration:

    In Washington, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Washington.
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• Free Washington MEANS TEST CALCULATOR for Whatcom County (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for April 1, 2024)
• Free Washington BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Washington law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
• Washington BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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Child Custody & Family Courts in Washington 

• State Standards For Custody Decisions: How Washington Courts make child custody decisions
• Family Court for Whatcom County: Whatcom County Family Court information, including maps, forms and links.
• Enforcement of Custody Orders: Can you enlist local police to help enforce a custody court order?
• Child Custody Lawyers: To help you handle your child custody matters.

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Washington Obamacare

• Sign Up: We have the latest on how to sign up for Obamacare Insurance in Washington!
• Is Health Insurance Mandatory in Washington? Learn about whether Washington imposes tax penalties for not having health insurance.
• Special Enrollment Periods: How to enroll because of a "special enrollment period."
• Rates & Providers in Your County: Information and rates for providers for Whatcom County if you live in a state served by Healthcare.gov.

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Democracy In Washington, Whatcom County, Lynden 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Lynden, WA.
• Gerrymandering in Washington: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 

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Find a Lawyer in Lynden, WA

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration

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