Planning with Compassion: How Estate Planning Supports Families Facing Alzheimer’s
Each year on September 21st, World Alzheimer’s Day brings awareness to a disease that affects millions of individuals and families across the globe. For many, Alzheimer’s is not just a medical diagnosis—it’s a journey that reshapes family roles, finances, and futures.
At Pettis Webber Pacific, we meet families who are navigating these challenges every day. While we cannot control the course of the disease, we can prepare for it with thoughtful legal planning. Estate planning offers tools that preserve dignity, protect assets, and bring peace of mind to families walking through the uncertainty of Alzheimer’s.
How to Talk to Aging Parents About Estate Planning (Without Overstepping)
Bringing up estate planning with your aging parents can feel awkward. You want to make sure they’re protected—but you also don’t want to sound pushy, intrusive, or like you’re trying to take over.
At Pettis Webber Pacific, we often hear from adult children who say:
“I know my parents need a plan… but I don’t know how to start the conversation.”
The truth is, estate planning is just as much about peace of mind and dignity as it is about paperwork. And when approached with empathy and care, it can actually strengthen relationships and reduce stress for everyone involved.
Guardianship vs. Power of Attorney: What Every Family Needs to Know Before a Crisis
When a loved one becomes unable to manage their own affairs—whether due to illness, injury, or age-related decline—families are often left scrambling to figure out who can step in to help.
In these moments, the difference between having a Power of Attorney in place and needing to petition for guardianship through the courts becomes painfully clear. One gives you immediate, compassionate authority to help your loved one. The other can be a costly, public, and emotionally difficult process.
The Cost of Doing Nothing: What Happens If You Die Without a Plan in Washington State
Leaving an inheritance is one of the most personal acts of love and responsibility—but what happens when you don’t intend to divide things equally among your children or heirs?
Whether due to differences in financial need, caregiving roles, estrangement, or previous gifts during your lifetime, there are many valid reasons for leaving unequal inheritances. The challenge is how to do it without sparking conflict, confusion, or resentment.
