Your last will and testament tells your personal representative how to handle your estate and lets your family members know what to expect as beneficiaries. You likely invested significant time and consideration into the creation of your will. Unfortunately, all it...
When preparing for end-of-life and long-term health care decisions, there are two main tools available: Medical powers of attorney and living wills. What if you have neither of those at a critical medical moment when you’re suddenly unable to speak for yourself? If...
While you’re going through the process of working on your estate planning, it’s a good idea to learn more about "testamentary capacity" and what it could mean for you in the future. Having the mental capacity to complete a task means that you are capable of...
Nobody ever gave you a thing you didn’t work for. You certainly weren’t born with any silver spoons in your mouth. But because you weren’t afraid of hard work, you persevered and managed to accrue a nice-sized estate to leave your heirs and beneficiaries. You worry,...
More couples than ever are choosing not to get married. In fact, the number of unmarried couples living together has nearly tripled in this country since the beginning of the 21st century. Many of these couples are older. Being in a committed relationship without a...
Whether your child has a mental illness, developmental issue or physical disability, you may currently be relying on government benefits to provide the specialized care he or she needs. Unfortunately, programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income often put...
All adults should think about what their futures might hold. For some, this could include incapacitation. The problem is that nobody really knows if they will fall into that category. Because of this, it’s imperative that all adults have health care directives in...
Alzheimer’s disease is a terrible condition that can rob a person of their mental functions. It is a degenerative disease, which means it gets worse over time, but the speed at which it progresses can vary. If you have a loved one with this condition, you may wonder...
Probate laws in each state govern the process of settling a deceased person's estate. When the person has established an executor in his or her will, that person holds legal responsibility for probate. Review the process of probate in Washington to inform the estate...
Moving your family member to a nursing home facility in Washington can provide you with some relief from care duties. You may also feel comforted knowing that certified staff members have the skills to provide prompt and quality care and assistance. However, the...
