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Brain Injury Awareness Month: Estate Planning After a Brain Injury—Why Early Action Matters

Brain Injury Awareness Month: Estate Planning After a Brain Injury—Why Early Action Matters
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), strokes, and other neurological conditions that can change a person’s life in an instant.
A brain injury doesn’t just affect memory or mobility.
For families in Washington and Oregon, these questions often surface suddenly, at moments already filled with fear and uncertainty.

March 3, 2026 No Comments

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Why You Still Need a Will—Even If You Don’t Have Children

Why You Still Need a Will—Even If You Don’t Have Children
One of the most common things we hear from clients is:
“I don’t have kids, so I probably don’t need a will.”
It’s an understandable assumption—but it’s also one of the most dangerous misconceptions in estate planning.
In reality, having no children often makes a will, or trust, even more important, not less. Without one, Washington and Oregon law—not you—will decide what happens to your assets, who handles your affairs, and how your life’s work is distributed.

February 24, 2026 No Comments

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Powers of Attorney Explained: How They Work and Why Different Types Matter

Powers of Attorney Explained: How They Work and Why Different Types Matter
Powers of attorney are among the most critical estate planning documents—and also among the most misunderstood. Many people believe one document “covers everything.” Unfortunately, that misconception often leads to serious problems.

February 17, 2026 No Comments

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Including Pets in Your Estate Plan: Protecting the Companions Who Depend on You

Including Pets in Your Estate Plan: Protecting the Companions Who Depend on You
For many people, pets are family. They’re constant companions, sources of comfort, and deeply woven into daily life. Yet when estate planning is discussed, pets are often unintentionally left out of the conversation.
Without planning, families are left asking difficult questions during emotional moments: Who will care for them? Can we afford it? What would the owner have wanted?

February 10, 2026 No Comments

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Securing Your Legacy: Why Estate Planning Is About More Than Money

Securing Your Legacy: Why Estate Planning Is About More Than Money
Estate planning is often misunderstood as a financial task. In reality, it’s one of the most personal and meaningful forms of planning you can do.
Your legacy isn’t just what you leave behind—it’s how your loved ones experience the transition.

January 27, 2026 No Comments

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Who Will Step In for You? Understanding Fiduciary Roles Before You Need Them

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.

January 20, 2026 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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