Services
Estate Planning
As an elder law firm, we are committed to providing personalized and comprehensive estate planning services to our clients. We take a holistic approach to estate planning, considering each client's unique situation and family dynamics to ensure that their estate planning documents accurately reflect their wishes and goals.
Our experienced attorneys work closely with our clients to determine their specific estate planning needs and objectives. We then use a variety of legal tools, such as Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Advanced Directives, to create a customized estate plan that meets their needs.
We also offer a range of additional services, such as community property agreements and transfer on death deeds, to help our clients protect their assets and ensure that their loved ones are provided for in the event of their death or incapacitation.
We will take the time to understand your situation and provide the guidance and support you need to create an effective and comprehensive estate plan.
Trust Planning & Administration
This area of law includes drafting and administering trusts. This includes revocable trusts, which can be amended or revoked by the trustor during their lifetime, and irrevocable trusts, which cannot be changed once they are created. We also draft special needs trusts, which are used to provide for the care of a loved one with disabilities without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits.
We can assist with all aspects of trust administration, from the initial creation of the trust to ongoing management and distribution of assets. This includes administration during the lifetime of the trustor, administration when a spouse passes away, and administration upon the death of the last or only trustor.
Whether you are seeking to create a trust for estate planning purposes or are in need of assistance with trust administration, we invite you to contact our firm for a consultation.
Representation of Attorney-In-Fact
As an elder law firm, we regularly review Power of Attorney (POA) documents and advise attorneys-in-fact on their duties and authority. This is an important part of our practice, as POA documents can be complex and it is essential that they are properly understood and followed.
As part of our services, we carefully review your POA document to ensure that it is accurate and up to date. We will also provide guidance on the specific duties and authority granted to the attorney-in-fact under the document, and help ensure that they are able to fulfill their role effectively.
Long-term Care Insurance Appeals
We are dedicated to protecting the rights of seniors and ensuring that they receive the long-term care benefits they are entitled to. We take great pride in standing up to insurance companies that try to deny valid long-term care insurance claims, often based on technicalities or false allegations.
We understand that long-term care insurance is an important tool for planning for the future and protecting your assets. That's why we fight hard to make sure that our clients receive the benefits they have paid for and planned for. Whether you are currently receiving long-term care or are seeking to file a claim in the future, we can provide the legal support and guidance you need to ensure that your rights are respected and your benefits are not unfairly denied.
If you have been denied long-term care insurance benefits or have concerns about your policy, we invite you to contact our firm for a consultation.
Probate
Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate. This includes managing their assets, paying any outstanding debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to their heirs or beneficiaries. Probate usually is necessary whether a person dies with or without a Will, and it can be a complex and time-consuming process.
At Salish Elder Law, we have extensive experience handling all aspects of estate administration, including complex and high-value estates. This includes estates with taxable assets, estates with Medicaid liens, and estates with complex family dynamics.
If you are dealing with the probate of a loved one's estate, we can provide comprehensive legal guidance and support throughout the process. Our experienced attorneys will work closely with you to ensure that the estate is settled efficiently and in accordance with the deceased person's wishes.
Conservatorship (Guardianship)
This area of law involves representing clients who are seeking the appointment of a guardian or conservator by the court, as well as providing guidance and support to those who have been appointed as a guardian or conservator.
There are two types of guardianship: guardianship of the person, which involves overseeing an incapacitated person's physical care, and guardianship of the estate, which involves managing their financial affairs. We can assist with both types of guardianship and provide guidance on the legal requirements and responsibilities of a guardian or conservator.
In addition to petitioning for guardianship, we also help clients explore alternatives to guardianship, such as the use of powers of attorney or trusts. We can also assist with vulnerable adult protection and required reporting to the court, ensuring that the interests of incapacitated individuals are protected and their rights are respected.
Trust and Estate Litigation
At Salish Elder Law, we represent our clients in Washington estate litigation, including will contests, removal of personal representatives, removal of attorneys-in-fact, disputes over property characterization, and disagreements regarding status of an heir. We understand that disputes over estates can be emotionally charged and complex, which is why we work closely with our clients to provide legal guidance and support throughout the process.
Representation of Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries have certain defined rights in Washington. Likewise, the personal representative has duties to the beneficiaries of the estate. We are frequently asked to review the actions of the personal representative to see if they have breached their duty to the estate and or beneficiaries. We assist in actions for removal of personal representatives, trustees, and attorney-in-facts; Wills contests, and actions for an accounting, complaints about performance or nonperformance of the personal representative.