PRACTICE AREAS
Guardianship
A guardianship is necessary when a person becomes unable to independently manage their own personal and/or financial affairs and there is no lesser restrictive alternative in place such as a power of attorney or trust that can provide necessary management and services for them. Any person interested in the welfare of another can petition the court for the appointment of a guardian to protect a vulnerable person. We will help you determine whether a guardianship is necessary and then either assist you throughout the court process or assist in facilitating an appropriate lesser restrictive alternative for the person in need of protection. We also represent both professional and lay guardians in meeting the ongoing statutory requirements with respect to fiduciary appointment as a guardian or as an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney.
Probate
A probate is the legal process by which a deceased person’s estate is administered and resolved after death. The person who administers the estate of another is a fiduciary and has legal obligations both to the heirs and beneficiaries of the estate and to its creditors. We have extensive experience in probate and non-probate administration, including solvent and insolvent estates, and testate and intestate matters (e.g. whether the deceased individual had a Last Will and Testament). Not every estate requires probate proceedings. We provide legal representation in both the formal and informal processes of final estate resolution.
Probate
A probate is the legal process by which a deceased person’s estate is administered and resolved after death. The person who administers the estate of another is a fiduciary and has legal obligations both to the heirs and beneficiaries of the estate and to its creditors. We have extensive experience in probate and non-probate administration, including solvent and insolvent estates, and testate and intestate matters (e.g. whether the deceased individual had a Last Will and Testament). Not every estate requires probate proceedings. We provide legal representation in both the formal and informal processes of final estate resolution.
Trust Administration
There are many kinds of trusts, such as living trusts, revocable and irrevocable trusts, testamentary trusts, special needs trusts, and others. We represent professional and institutional trustees as well as family members or lay trustees in carrying out their fiduciary duties whether they have been appointed under a trust instrument or by the court. Our representation involves analyzing and identifying a trustee’s fiduciary duties required by a specific trust agreement in addition to the broader trustee duties required under Washington law. We assist trustees in preparing periodic accountings, completing property sales and other transactions during the course of ongoing administration, as well as in winding down and distributing a trust when the term has ended, both when the trust is court supervised and when it is not.
Protection of Vulnerable Adults (from abuse and exploitation)
There are many kinds of trusts, such as living trusts, revocable and irrevocable trusts, testamentary trusts, special needs trusts, and others. We represent professional and institutional trustees as well as family members or lay trustees in carrying out their fiduciary duties whether they have been appointed under a trust instrument or by the court. Our representation involves analyzing and identifying a trustee’s fiduciary duties required by a specific trust agreement in addition to the broader trustee duties required under Washington law. We assist trustees in preparing periodic accountings, completing property sales and other transactions during the course of ongoing administration, as well as in winding down and distributing a trust when the term has ended, both when the trust is court supervised and when it is not.
Protection of Vulnerable Adults (from abuse and exploitation)
Many in our community have worked their entire lives, saved their money, and seek to enjoy their retirement stage of life. Unfortunately, along with an inevitable general decline in capacity and health status, such retirees are vulnerable to abuse, neglect and financial exploitation at the hands of others, often by family members. Our firm is dedicated and experienced, with a former Deputy Prosecuting Attorney on staff, in stopping the abuse, and ensuring the safety and protection of vulnerable adults. There are many tools that we can effectively use to combat the abuse of vulnerable adults in our community and provide for ongoing care and protection in the future. We are proud to be able to offer this service to clients.