Brent Bowden

A Pacific Northwest native, I grew up on Whidbey Island before moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. I received my law degree magna cum laude from Vermont Law School and was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 2011. Prior to joining Gillin Law Group, I was of counsel at Genesis Law Firm for three years and an associate at Purcell Legal & Mediation Services for two years. Prior to that, I was an Assistant City Attorney with the Seattle City Attorney’s Office for three years.

Vermont Law School

J.D. (2011) | Law

2008 - 2011

Honors: Magna cum laude

Activities: Vermont Journal of Environmental Law, Symposium Editor SBA Executive Committee, IT Committee Chair

University of Washington

B.A. (2006) | Political Science

2002 - 2006

Attorney

Gillin Law Group, PLLC

2021 - Current

Attorney

Genesis Law Firm, PLLC

2018 - 2021

Attorney

Purcell Legal & Mediation Services, PLLC

2016 - 2018

Assistant City Attorney

City of Seattle

2013 - 2016

Magna Cum Laude

Vermont Law School

2011

Academic Excellence Award for Environmental ADR

Vermont Law School

2010

Award for highest grade in class

Academic Excellence Award for Environmental Law

Vermont Law School

2009

Award for highest grade in class

Washington State Bar Association  # 44316

Member

Current

Washington

Since 2011

• Credit Cards Accepted
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  My hourly rate is $280. Flat rates also available for some services.

Estate Planning

Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

Business Law

Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes

Probate

Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests

Landlord Tenant

Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Landlord Rights, Rent Control, Tenants' Rights

Real Estate Law

Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law

Immigration Law

Asylum, Deportation Defense, Work Visas

Q. In WA, What do I file to take immediate control of father's estate?

August 29, 2019

A: The typical way to gain control of his probate would be by initiating a probate, but, as you indicated, that requires a final death certificate. The court can appoint a special administrator if there is something critical that must be addressed before a personal representative can be appointed (RCW 11.32 https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.32&full=true). I would suggest you discuss this with a local probate attorney. Powers of Attorney are only effective while the person who executed them is living. As soon as someone dies, the power of attorney ceases to be effective.

Q. my mom is giving my nephew my stepdads house and its not in her name can she do that?

May 19, 2019

A: If your mom did not have a will, you would have a right to it before your nephew. However, while your mom is alive, she can do more or less whatever she wants with her property. Likewise, she can leave it to whoever she wants in her will. At that point, you would have no right. As far as who owns it now, the finance company does not control that. They also don't really get to choose whose name the property is in. That whole part seems odd. But, assuming your step-dad had a will, he could leave it to whoever he wanted. If he didn't, at least a portion of it would likely be your mother's. Absent a will leaving some portion of the house to you, you would have no interest other than what you might get eventually from your mother.

Q. Can I make a secret will that my husband will not know about until my death?

November 22, 2018

A: There is no requirement that your husband be aware of your will. But there are risks to a secret or surprise will. In the event you died and your husband survived you, he would be likely to open a probate assuming your old will or as if you didn't have one. If nobody brings the secret will to court, it would be like you never had it. Wills that are surprises are also potentially more likely to result in challenges to their validity. And, lastly, Washington is a community property state, so that impacts what property you can devise in your will and it gives your Husband certain rights with regard to community property. I would suggest that you enlist the help of an attorney if you are considering doing something like this. The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and I nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided by me here without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction.