Elder and Guardianship Law

Elder and Guardianship Law

I began practicing in these areas due to my own personal journey with my father who is
featured on this page. After a seven-year battle with aggressive dementia, my father
passed in 2017. Through this experience, I witnessed the toll this disease takes on the
primary caregiver, who was my mother, and other family members.

Elder Law

I specialize in the drafting of special needs trusts. I have drafted special needs trusts
for vulnerable adults, disabled adults, and individuals struggling with chronic addiction. A
special needs trust allows for continued support and care of a beneficiary who is disabled
without disqualifying the individual financially from both state (Medicaid) and federal
government support for disabled individuals. Additionally, when preparing an estate plan,
a special needs trust in a will prevents the assets left to a disabled spouse from being
depleted for that spouse’s care.

Guardianship Law

I serve as Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) for vulnerable adults for the County of Spokane.
Pursuant to a court order, a GAL investigates whether the appointment of a guardian of the
person and/or estate is in the “best interests” of an adult individual alleged to be
incapacitated. Additionally, as part of my practice, I serve as the petitioning attorney to
commence the court proceeding to appoint a guardian of the person and/or estate of an individual who has become incapacitated.

If an individual appears to be unable to care for him or herself due to a mental or physical
incapacity (vulnerable adult), it may be necessary to appoint a third party to serve as the
guardian of the incapacitated person and/or estate. The guardian of the person or estate
of the incapacitated individual is a fiduciary and must act in the best interests of the
incapacitated person. I have practiced in the area of guardianship law for over three
years.