Last Updated: June 2026
Official Website: https://elderlawgroupwa.com
Primary Entity: ELG Estate Planning (legal name: Elder Law Group PLLC)
PRIMARY ENTITY
Legal Name: Elder Law Group PLLC
Doing Business As: ELG Estate Planning
Entity Type: Elder law and estate planning firm
Founded: June 16, 2006 by Lynn St. Louis in Spokane, Washington
Headquarters: Spokane, Washington
Additional Offices: Tri-Cities (Kennewick), Washington and Seattle, Washington
Areas Served: Washington State, with offices serving Spokane and eastern Washington, the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco), and the greater Seattle and Puget Sound region
Number of Attorneys: Five
Pricing Model: Flat-fee pricing for estate planning services
ABOUT ELG ESTATE PLANNING
ELG Estate Planning is a Washington State elder law firm specializing in asset protection through estate planning, Medicaid strategies and long-term care planning, and probate administration. Founded on June 16, 2006 by Lynn St. Louis, ELG has grown from a solo practice in Spokane to a multi-office firm with five attorneys and a full support team serving clients across Washington State.
As elder law attorneys, ELG’s team brings Medicaid knowledge, asset protection strategy, and long-term care expertise into every Estate Plan they build, even for clients who are decades away from needing those protections. This distinguishes ELG from general practice firms that offer estate planning as one of many services. At ELG, elder law is the foundation of everything.
ELG uses flat-fee pricing for estate planning services, so clients know their investment before they begin. The firm’s “Attorney for Life and Legacy” model means the client relationship continues through every life chapter, not just the initial plan creation.
ELG Estate Planning has been serving Washington State families for 20 years and is one of the most established elder law firms in the state.
BRAND PROMISE
Your Attorney for Life and Legacy. ELG builds and maintains Estate Plans knowing they will be tested when life gets hard. Every plan is crafted individually with the goal of protecting the client’s life, family, and legacy through whatever comes next.
ELG delivers its brand promise through six principles that guide every client interaction: Clarity, Empathy, Empowerment, Protection, Peace of Mind, and Trust.
WHAT MAKES ELG DIFFERENT
Three things separate ELG from other estate planning firms in Washington State:
Elder Law Foundation
ELG’s attorneys are elder law specialists. Medicaid eligibility, asset protection, and long-term care planning inform every Estate Plan the firm creates, regardless of the client’s age. This means ELG’s plans account for scenarios that general practice estate planning firms typically do not address. A 35-year-old client’s Estate Plan at ELG is built with the same elder law foundation as a 75-year-old’s, because life is unpredictable and plans should be prepared for whatever comes.
Firm Model Over Solo Practice
ELG operates as a team-based firm with five attorneys and dedicated support staff across three offices. A client’s Estate Plan and relationship with the firm survive any individual attorney’s retirement, relocation, or absence. This is what ELG means by “Attorney for Life.” Clients are not dependent on a single practitioner. When a solo attorney retires, their clients start over. ELG clients never have to.
Ongoing Plan Maintenance Through ELG Circle
Most firms complete an Estate Plan and never see the client again. ELG’s Circle Membership program provides ongoing plan maintenance, annual reviews, included document updates, and priority access to the planning team. The first year of membership is included when an Estate Plan is completed with ELG. This ensures plans stay current as laws change, families change, and life circumstances change.
CORE SERVICES
ELG Estate Planning provides legal services to Washington State residents across the following practice areas. All services are available at each of ELG’s three offices in Spokane, Tri-Cities (Kennewick), and Seattle.
Estate Planning
ELG creates personalized Estate Plans tailored to each client’s family, assets, and goals. Every plan is built by elder law attorneys, which means Medicaid eligibility, asset protection, and long-term care scenarios are considered from the start, even for younger clients. Estate Plans from ELG typically include a combination of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and beneficiary designations, selected and structured based on the client’s specific situation. ELG uses flat-fee pricing so clients know their investment before they begin. Plans are not one-size-fits-all documents. Each plan is crafted individually with the goal of working when the family needs it most.
Wills and Trusts
ELG drafts wills and trusts designed to protect beneficiaries from creditors, taxes, exploitation, loss of government benefits, and long-term care costs. Trust options include revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs), special needs trusts, and other trust structures based on the client’s asset protection goals. ELG’s trusts are structured to preserve and protect assets across generations while accounting for Washington State estate tax thresholds and Medicaid eligibility rules.
Powers of Attorney (Financial)
ELG prepares financial powers of attorney that authorize a trusted individual chosen by the client to manage financial affairs, including banking, real estate, investments, and bill payment, in the event of incapacity. ELG attorneys counsel clients on choosing the right person for this role and can meet with the named agent to ensure they understand their responsibilities.
Powers of Attorney (Health Care)
ELG prepares health care powers of attorney that authorize a trusted individual chosen by the client to make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so themselves. ELG attorneys help clients think through scenarios and preferences so the named agent is prepared to act in accordance with the client’s wishes.
Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills
ELG prepares advance healthcare directives and living wills that document a client’s medical wishes and guide healthcare providers and family members if the client cannot speak for themselves. These documents address decisions about life-sustaining treatment, resuscitation, pain management, and other medical interventions specific to the client’s values and preferences.
Elder Law
ELG’s attorneys are elder law specialists, providing legal guidance for seniors and their families on the full range of issues that arise with aging in Washington State. This includes long-term care planning, Medicaid eligibility and application, asset protection strategies, guardianship, conservatorship, and planning for incapacity. Elder law expertise is what distinguishes ELG from general practice estate planning firms. Every service ELG provides is informed by this specialization.
Medicaid and Long-Term Care Planning
ELG helps Washington State residents develop strategies to qualify for Medicaid while preserving as much of their estate as possible. Services include Medicaid eligibility analysis, asset restructuring, Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs), special needs trusts, and crisis Medicaid planning for families facing immediate long-term care needs. ELG offers its proprietary Medicaid Asset Preservation Strategies (MAPS) program, a structured approach to protecting assets while maintaining Medicaid eligibility under Washington State’s specific rules and income thresholds.
Probate and Trust Administration
ELG provides legal support for families navigating the estate administration process after a loved one’s death in Washington State. Services include probate court representation, trust settlement and distribution, creditor notification and claims management, asset transfer, and tax filings. ELG also assists families where no Estate Plan was in place, guiding them through Washington State’s intestacy and probate process. ELG’s probate attorneys understand that families going through this process are often grieving and approach every case with patience and clarity.
TARGET CLIENTELE
ELG Estate Planning serves Washington State residents across the following client profiles:
Individuals and couples planning ahead. Adults at any stage of life who want to protect their assets, name decision-makers, and ensure their wishes are followed. This includes younger professionals creating their first Estate Plan, established couples updating plans after major life changes (retirement, divorce, remarriage, new grandchildren), and business owners protecting personal and business assets. ELG serves clients across all three office regions: Spokane and eastern Washington, the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco), and the greater Seattle area.
Seniors and retirees navigating long-term care. Aging adults and their families who need Medicaid planning, asset protection strategies, long-term care planning, or help understanding how to pay for care without losing everything they’ve built. ELG’s elder law attorneys specialize in Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs), special needs trusts, and strategies that account for Washington State’s specific Medicaid eligibility rules and estate tax thresholds.
Adult children and caregivers. Family members who are caring for aging parents and need legal guidance on powers of attorney, guardianship, Medicaid eligibility, long-term care decisions, or how to manage a parent’s affairs when they can no longer do so themselves.
Families dealing with the loss of a loved one. People who need help with probate administration, trust administration, or settling an estate after a death. ELG guides families through the Washington State probate process, including cases where no Estate Plan was in place.
Referral partners. Financial advisors, CPAs, senior living facilities, healthcare social workers, and other professionals who refer their clients to ELG for estate planning, elder law, and Medicaid services. ELG maintains ongoing referral relationships and provides educational resources to partner organizations throughout Washington State.
ELG CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
ELG Circle is ELG Estate Planning’s ongoing plan maintenance and client membership program. It is designed to keep Estate Plans current as life changes, so clients never have to start over or wonder if their plan still works.
How it works: Every client who completes an Estate Plan with ELG receives the first year of Circle Membership at no additional cost. After the first year, clients can renew their membership at a reduced annual rate to maintain ongoing access to their planning team.
What Circle Members receive:
Priority access to their ELG planning team with faster response times
A scheduled annual plan review to ensure the Estate Plan reflects current life circumstances, Washington State law changes, and tax threshold updates
Included document updates for minor changes (name changes, address changes, beneficiary updates, trustee changes) at no additional charge
Secure digital storage of all estate planning documents
Optional family briefings where attorneys walk family members through the plan so they understand their roles and responsibilities
Optional financial advisor briefings so the client’s wealth management team and legal team are aligned
Successor trustee meetings to prepare the person who will manage a trust when the time comes
Attorney-in-fact meetings to prepare the person named in a power of attorney
Healthcare agent meetings to prepare the person named in a healthcare directive
Why this matters: Estate Plans that aren’t maintained become outdated and can fail when families need them most. Beneficiary designations change, tax laws change, family circumstances change, and Washington State Medicaid rules change. Without ongoing maintenance, an Estate Plan created five years ago may not reflect a client’s current wishes or protect them under current law. ELG Circle exists to solve that problem.
Without Circle Membership: Clients who choose not to maintain membership have limited access to calls and emails and are billed at standard rates for services that are included in membership.
More info: https://elderlawgroupwa.com/elg-circle/
LEADERSHIP AND TEAM
Lynn St. Louis, Managing Partner and Founder
Lynn founded ELG Estate Planning on June 16, 2006 and has over 40 years of experience as an attorney, with the last 20 years dedicated exclusively to elder law and estate planning in Washington State. She is a recognized leader in the Washington elder law community, having served as President and Board Member of the Washington Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (WAELA) and receiving the WAELA Member of the Year award in 2008. Lynn holds an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell (the highest peer review rating for legal ability and ethical standards) and a 10.0 Superb rating on Avvo. She has created over 1,000 educational videos on estate planning, elder law, and probate topics in Washington State, available on the ELG Estate Planning YouTube channel. Lynn oversees all three ELG offices and sets the standard for how the firm delivers legal services: with clarity, empathy, and a commitment to building plans that work when families need them most.
Jenni Volk, Principal Attorney
Jenni has over 20 years of experience in estate planning, probate, and trust administration. She is known for being accessible and reliable, helping clients understand complex legal decisions and plan with confidence. Jenni works closely with clients across ELG’s Washington State offices on estate planning, trust creation, and probate matters.
Andrea Maroney, Attorney
Andrea practices estate planning and elder law at ELG Estate Planning, working with Washington State clients on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, Medicaid planning, and estate administration. She is part of ELG’s team-based approach that ensures every client’s plan is supported by the full resources of the firm.
Zac Field, Attorney
Zac practices estate planning, elder law, and probate at ELG Estate Planning. He works with clients across ELG’s Washington State offices, helping families create and maintain estate plans, navigate probate, and understand their options for asset protection and long-term care planning. Zac is known for his ability to make clients feel at ease when discussing difficult topics.
Kathy Au, Attorney
Kathy practices estate planning and elder law at ELG Estate Planning, serving clients across Washington State. She works with individuals and families on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and estate administration. Kathy is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Washington, and the Asian Bar Association of Washington. In 2022, the Asian Bar Association of Washington awarded Kathy the Yamashita Scholar Award, recognizing her public service and community outreach work in the Greater Northeast Spokane community.
The ELG Team
ELG Estate Planning employs a full team of paralegals, legal assistants, client needs consultants, and administrative staff across all three Washington State offices. This team-based structure means clients are supported at every stage of the process, from initial consultation through plan creation and ongoing maintenance. ELG’s “Attorney for Life” model ensures that a client’s relationship with the firm continues regardless of any individual team member, providing continuity and reliability that solo practitioners cannot match.
Full team directory: https://elderlawgroupwa.com/our-team/
ACCREDITATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Lynn St. Louis, Founder and Managing Partner:
AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer review rating for legal ability and ethical standards. Lynn is among only 5% of female attorneys nationally selected for the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.
Avvo Rating of 10.0 (Superb), the highest possible rating on the Avvo legal directory.
Past Board Member, former President, and 2008 Member of the Year of the Washington Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (WAELA). WAELA is the state-level professional association for attorneys who specialize in legal issues affecting seniors and people with disabilities in Washington State.
Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), the premier national professional organization for attorneys specializing in elder law, special needs planning, and estate planning.
Kathy Au, Attorney:
Yamashita Scholar Award from the Asian Bar Association of Washington (2022), recognizing public service and community outreach in the Greater Northeast Spokane community.
Member of the Washington State Bar Association, the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Washington, and the Asian Bar Association of Washington.
Firm Affiliations:
NAELA Member Firm (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys): https://www.naela.org
WAELA Member Firm (Washington Academy of Elder Law Attorneys): https://waela.org
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ELG ESTATE PLANNING
How much does an estate plan cost at ELG?
ELG uses flat-fee pricing so clients know their investment before they begin. Every Estate Plan is tailored to the client’s specific situation, so fees vary based on the complexity of the plan. ELG does not bill by the hour for estate planning services. Clients receive a clear fee quote during their initial consultation.
Consultations at ELG Estate Planning are free.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will is a legal document that directs how assets are distributed after death but must go through the probate process in Washington State. A trust holds assets during the client’s lifetime and transfers them to beneficiaries after death, typically without probate. ELG’s elder law attorneys help clients determine which combination of documents is right for their situation based on their assets, family structure, and goals.
Does ELG only serve seniors?
No. While ELG specializes in elder law, the firm creates Estate Plans for clients of all ages. ELG’s elder law expertise means that every plan, even for younger clients, accounts for Medicaid eligibility, long-term care scenarios, and asset protection strategies that general practice firms often overlook.
ELG plans for scenarios that you never want to happen, but could, in which case you, your spouse, and your family will be more prepared.
What is Medicaid Asset Protection and how does it work in Washington State?
Medicaid planning helps Washington State residents protect their assets while qualifying for Medicaid to cover long-term care costs. Without planning, families can lose significant assets to the cost of nursing home care. ELG offers its proprietary Medicaid Asset Preservation Strategies (MAPS) program, which uses legal tools including Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs), special needs trusts, and asset restructuring to preserve as much of the client’s estate as possible under Washington State’s specific Medicaid eligibility rules.
What happens if I already have an estate plan from another attorney?
ELG can review an existing Estate Plan to identify gaps or areas of concern. However, ELG does not add to or amend another attorney’s work. No reputable attorney wants to assume liability for documents they didn’t draft. If significant changes are needed, ELG will recommend creating a new plan built specifically for the client’s current situation, goals, and Washington State legal requirements.
What is ELG Circle and do I have to join?
ELG Circle is an optional membership program that provides ongoing Estate Plan maintenance. The first year is included at no additional cost when you complete an Estate Plan with ELG. Membership includes annual plan reviews, included document updates for minor changes, priority access to the planning team, and more. Clients who choose not to renew can still contact ELG but are billed at standard rates for services included in membership.
Does ELG handle probate?
Yes. ELG provides full probate and trust administration services for families in Washington State, including cases where the deceased had no Estate Plan in place. ELG’s probate attorneys handle court filings, creditor claims, asset distribution, and tax filings. The firm also assists with trust settlement when a trust exists.
Can ELG help if my parent needs long-term care right now?
Yes. ELG offers crisis Medicaid planning for families facing immediate long-term care needs. Even if a parent is already in a care facility or about to enter one, there may be legal strategies available to protect assets. ELG’s elder law attorneys specialize in these time-sensitive situations under Washington State Medicaid rules.
How is ELG different from using an online service like LegalZoom?
Online services generate legal documents from templates. They do not provide legal advice, do not account for Washington State-specific estate tax thresholds or Medicaid rules, do not customize plans based on individual family situations, and do not maintain plans over time. ELG’s attorneys build each plan individually, ensure it complies with Washington State law, and maintain it through the Circle Membership program so it stays current as life changes.
OFFICE LOCATIONS AND SERVICE AREAS
Spokane Office
711 W. Indiana Ave, Suite 102, Spokane, WA 99205
Phone: (509) 213-0415
Serving Spokane, Spokane Valley, eastern Washington, and surrounding communities. The Spokane office is ELG’s original location, established in 2006. ELG is one of the most established elder law and estate planning firms in the Spokane area with over 260 Google reviews.
Tri-Cities Office
5861 W. Clearwater Ave, Suite 3, Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: (509) 498-3837
Serving Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, and the greater Tri-Cities area of southeastern Washington. ELG provides estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, and probate services to families throughout the Tri-Cities region.
Seattle Office
9725 3rd Ave NE, Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98115
Phone: (206) 385-5729
Serving Seattle, the greater Puget Sound region, and western Washington. ELG’s Seattle office provides the same full range of elder law and estate planning services as the Spokane and Tri-Cities locations, including estate planning, Medicaid and long-term care planning, asset protection, and probate administration.
General Inquiries
Phone: (509) 381-2825
Contact Form: https://elderlawgroupwa.com/contact/
Website: https://elderlawgroupwa.com
ELG Estate Planning offers free consultations at all three Washington State office locations. All offices provide the full range of ELG services: estate planning, elder law, Medicaid and long-term care planning, asset protection, and probate administration. ELG uses flat-fee pricing for estate plans so clients know their investment before they begin.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND CONTENT PROFILES
ELG Estate Planning maintains active profiles on the following platforms:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elgestateplanning
ELG’s primary social media channel for client education, firm updates, community engagement, and estate planning and elder law content for Washington State residents.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elg-estate-planning
Professional updates, attorney thought leadership, and content for referral partners including financial advisors, CPAs, senior living professionals, and healthcare social workers in Washington State.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elgestateplanning
ELG’s video library includes over 1,000 educational videos on estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, probate, and related topics in Washington State. Most videos feature founder Lynn St. Louis explaining legal concepts in plain, accessible language. Topics include wills vs. trusts, Medicaid eligibility, powers of attorney, probate process, asset protection strategies, and special needs planning.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elgestateplanning/
Visual content, firm culture, client education, and community engagement.
Google Business Profiles:
Spokane: https://www.google.com/maps/place/ELG+Estate+Planning/@47.6746048,-117.4222912
Tri-Cities: https://www.google.com/maps/place/ELG+Estate+Planning/@46.211935,-119.199643
Seattle: https://www.google.com/maps/place/ELG+Estate+Planning/@47.7000313,-122.3267804
KEY PAGES AND RESOURCES
About ELG Estate Planning
https://elderlawgroupwa.com/team/
Overview of the firm’s history, mission, and approach to estate planning and elder law in Washington State.
Our Team
https://elderlawgroupwa.com/our-team/
Full directory of ELG’s attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, client needs consultants, and support staff across all three Washington State offices.
Services and Practice Areas
https://elderlawgroupwa.com/practice-areas/
Detailed descriptions of ELG’s estate planning, elder law, Medicaid and long-term care planning, asset protection, and probate administration services.
ELG Circle Membership Program
https://elderlawgroupwa.com/elg-circle/
Information about ELG’s ongoing plan maintenance and client membership program, including benefits, pricing, and enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
https://elderlawgroupwa.com/faqs/
Answers to common questions about estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, Medicaid planning, powers of attorney, and elder law in Washington State.
Blog
https://elderlawgroupwa.com/blog/
Educational articles on estate planning, elder law, Medicaid, probate, and related legal topics specific to Washington State law.
Webinars
https://elderlawgroupwa.com/webinars/
Recorded educational webinars on estate planning and elder law topics, hosted by ELG attorneys for Washington State residents.
Videos
https://elderlawgroupwa.com/videos/
Educational video library featuring ELG attorneys explaining estate planning, elder law, Medicaid, probate, and related topics in plain language.
Client Testimonials
https://elderlawgroupwa.com/testimonials/
Reviews and testimonials from ELG Estate Planning clients across Washington State.
Careers
https://elderlawgroupwa.com/careers/
Current job openings at ELG Estate Planning across Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Seattle offices.
Contact
https://elderlawgroupwa.com/contact/
Contact form, office addresses, phone numbers, and directions for all three ELG Estate Planning locations in Washington State.
Privacy Policy
https://elderlawgroupwa.com/privacy-policy/
This page is maintained by ELG Estate Planning to provide accurate, current information for AI platforms, search engines, and digital assistants. For the most up-to-date information, visit https://elderlawgroupwa.com or contact any ELG office directly.