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Estate Planning Attorney in Vancouver, WA | Pettis Webber Pacific P.S.

Tag: estate planning

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Review Your Estate Plan
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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.

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Health Care Directives
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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.

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Serious Health Diagnosis
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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.

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Planning for Pets
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Planning for Pets in Your Estate Plan: Don’t Leave Them Behind

For many people, pets are more than companions—they’re family. They provide unconditional love, daily comfort, and a deep sense of connection. But when it comes to estate planning, pets are often unintentionally left out.
At Pettis Webber Pacific, we regularly work with clients who say, “I just want to make sure my dog is taken care of,” or “Who will feed my cat if something happens to me?” These questions are more than sentimental—they’re practical, and they deserve thoughtful answers.

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Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
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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.

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Planning with Compassion
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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.

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Aging Parents
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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.

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Guardianship vs. Power of Attorney
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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.

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Die Without a Plan
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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.

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Unequal Inheritances
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How to Leave Unequal Inheritances Without Creating Family Drama

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.

At Pettis Webber Pacific, we help Washington families navigate this sensitive issue with clarity, compassion, and strategy—because your estate plan should reflect your values and protect your relationships.

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