Shoreline Advance Healthcare Directive & Living Wills Lawyer

Numerous estate planning and elder law tools can help you plan for your retirement years. While some of these services can benefit anyone looking for a comprehensive estate plan, an elder law attorney will know what must be in the right estate plan.

• Wills – One of the most common estate planning tools that adults can benefit from is a last will and testament. A will is a legal document outlining the distribution and management of your assets after you pass. In your will, you control what happens to your estate and who will be your executor. Without a will, Washington law dictates who receives your assets.
• Trusts – A revocable living trust, together with a pour over will may be right for you. Trusts can manage your assets before and after death. A trust is a legal entity used to hold or manage assets. Placing assets in a trust allow you to control and manage assets while you are still alive, and allow family members to avoid an unnecessary probate, reduce your family’s tax burden, shield some assets from creditors,. Different types of trusts offer different benefits and drawbacks, which is why consulting an elder law or estate planning attorney is best.
• Medicaid planning: Medicaid planning is a tool that may be one of the most crucial aspects of elder law. It helps individuals plan for their long-term care needs. Many older people are shocked to learn about the high cost of long-term or nursing home care. The American Council on Aging numbers show that nursing home costs for a private room in the Seattle and Shoreline areas can reach up to $143,810+ annually. Medicaid planning can help you protect your assets while helping you become eligible to apply for Medicaid benefits when you need them without spending down. From five year planning in advance, to Medicaid crisis planning, there are tools available to help you protect your assets and receive long-term care benefits.
• Power of attorney – Physical and mental decline are not uncommon as we age. So is the increased risk of suffering significant injuries and illnesses. Who do you trust to make significant financial and medical decisions on your behalf if you can’t make them for yourself? You can create a durable power of attorney that specifies who has the legal authority to make critical decisions if you are incapacitated and unable to do so.
• Advance Healthcare Directive / Living Wills: An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that outlines the medical care you want if you cannot communicate your wishes to medical professionals. A durable power of attorney for health care is one way to address your medical wishes by making sure your healthcare agent will speak for you. Supporting your agent’s decisions is your living will that tells medical staff which treatment options you want and which you don’t consent to if you cannot make decisions about end-of-life care.