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Trustee, Executor, or Power of Attorney? Understanding Fiduciary Roles Across Washington and Oregon

When families begin estate planning, they often feel overwhelmed by the terms: trustee, executor, personal representative, attorney-in-fact, guardian, conservator. What do they all mean, and who should you choose for each role?
Understanding fiduciary roles is critical because these are the people who will carry out your wishes when you cannot. Choosing wisely can mean the difference between a smooth transition and a costly, painful family dispute.

November 25, 2025 No Comments

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Estate Planning for Adult Children: Preparing to Support Aging Parents in the Pacific Northwest

For many families, the roles eventually shift: parents who once cared for their children now need their children to help care for them. In the Pacific Northwest, we’re seeing more adult children stepping into these roles—sometimes gradually, sometimes suddenly after a health crisis.
While the emotional weight of this shift is significant, the practical challenges can be even greater without proper planning. Estate planning is one of the most powerful tools adult children can use to prepare for their parents’ future—and their own peace of mind.

November 18, 2025 No Comments

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How to Protect a Loved One’s Finances if They Become Incapacitated

Protect your loved one’s finances before they become incapacitated. Learn key tools to avoid court delays and costly guardianships.

Imagine this: your father, who has always paid the bills on time and managed his investments carefully, suffers a sudden stroke. While he recovers in the hospital, you realize you have no legal authority to access his accounts, pay his mortgage, or even speak to his bank. Weeks go by, and late notices begin piling up. The only option? A stressful, costly guardianship or conservatorship process through the court.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen this scenario play out for families across Washington and Oregon—and it’s entirely preventable.

November 11, 2025 No Comments

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Caregiver’s Legal Toolkit: Essential Documents for Families in Washington and Oregon

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to honor the millions of people who step in to care for aging parents, spouses, or loved ones facing illness. At Pettis Webber Pacific, we see caregivers every day—devoted daughters, steadfast spouses, and caring sons—doing extraordinary work.
But caregiving without legal support can be overwhelming. Without the right documents, even paying bills or speaking to a doctor can be a struggle. That’s why every caregiver needs a legal toolkit.

November 4, 2025 No Comments

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Avoiding Guardianship and Conservatorship Court: Proactive Steps for Families in Washington and Oregon

When someone loses the ability to make decisions and hasn’t done proper planning, families often have no choice but to go through the courts for guardianship or conservatorship.

Guardianship (for personal affairs) and conservatorship (for financial affairs) are legal processes where the court appoints someone to manage another person’s financial and personal affairs. While sometimes necessary, it is:

October 28, 2025 No Comments

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5 Signs It’s Time to Review Your Estate Plan Before the Holidays

The holiday season is a time for family, reflection, and gratitude. It’s also the perfect time to make sure your estate plan still reflects your life today—not the way it looked five, ten, or twenty years ago.
At Pettis Webber Pacific, we recommend that families in Washington and Oregon review their estate plans every 3–5 years—or sooner if major life changes occur. Here are five signs it may be time for you to update yours before the holidays.

October 21, 2025 No Comments

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How Health Care Directives (or Advance Directives) Work in Washington and Oregon: What Families Need to Know

When families come to us in times of crisis, one of the first questions we often hear is: “Who has the right to make decisions for my loved one?”
Too often, the answer isn’t clear—because no health care directive or advance directive was ever put in place. Without this crucial document, families can be left scrambling, arguing, or even forced into court just to make medical decisions.
A health care directive is more than a form. It’s your voice in moments when you may not be able to speak for yourself.

October 13, 2025 No Comments

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Facing a Serious Health Diagnosis: Why Estate Planning Brings Peace of Mind in Washington and Oregon

Few words can shake a person’s world like “you have cancer.” A serious health diagnosis—whether it’s breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, or another life-changing illness—brings an avalanche of emotions and questions. What does treatment look like? How will this affect my family? Will my finances hold up?
At Pettis Webber Pacific, we walk alongside families in Washington and Oregon who are facing these kinds of moments. Again and again, we’ve seen how estate planning becomes a source of stability and peace of mind when life feels most uncertain.

October 7, 2025 No Comments

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The First Legal Steps to Take After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Hearing the words “you have Alzheimer’s” is life-changing—for the individual and for their loved ones. While emotions may run high and questions about the future feel overwhelming, one of the most empowering things you can do early on is take legal steps to protect yourself and your family.
At Pettis Webber Pacific, we walk alongside families facing this journey. Alzheimer’s doesn’t mean you lose your ability to make decisions right away. In fact, acting quickly ensures your wishes are heard, your assets are protected, and your loved ones are spared unnecessary stress later on.

September 23, 2025 No Comments

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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.

September 16, 2025 No Comments

Category: Planning