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Who Will Step In for You? Understanding Fiduciary Roles Before You Need Them
One of the most important estate planning questions is also one of the most uncomfortable:
Who will take over if I can’t manage my own affairs?
Too often, families don’t understand the different fiduciary roles until someone is already incapacitated—or has passed away.
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.
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 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
