Helpful Legal Documents for Older Adults

Estate Planning

• Basic Estate Planning Guide
  • This comprehensive packet is used with thanks and by permission of Estate Planning attorney Mary Anne Vance. It provides an overview of all estate planning documents including POA, Health Care Directives (Living Wills) Wills, Trusts, and Guardianship.
• Estate Planning Checklist
  • This checklist provides helpful tips for preparing your estate and for getting your documents in order.

Powers of Attorney

• Questions and Answers on Power of Attorney
  • This Q&A is produced by Northwest Justice Project. It may answer some of your questions related to Powers of Attorney. It is not, however, a substitute for legal advice.
• Fiduciary Duties
  • This document discusses the duties of the fiduciary duties for someone assigned as agent.
• Health Care Power of Attorney and Advance Directives (“Living Will”)
  • This comprehensive packet is produced by End of Life Washington. It contains information about health care powers of attorney and advance directives along with a form in which you may express your wishes regarding health care should you become incapacitated and designate a health care “agent” who may make health care decisions of your behalf should you be unable to do so.

Probate

• General Information on Probate
  • This document is used with thanks and by permission of Estate Planning attorney Mary Anne Vance. It provides general information and answers to basic FAQs on probate.
• What to Do When a Death Occurs
  • This document discusses the basic information about the general steps to be taken when a death occurs.
• Family and Volunteer Guardian’s Handbook
  • This handbook was prepared by members of the King County Bar Association and is aimed to help individuals learn about legal rights and obligations involved in the Guardianship system.
• Questions & Answers on Guardianship
  • This Q&A is produced by Columbia Legal Services. It may answer many of your questions related to Guardianship. It is not, however, a substitute for legal advice.

Consumer/Debt/Bankruptcy

• Debt and Bankruptcy Resources
  • This handout contains various resources in the King County area available to people with questions on consumer, debt, and bankruptcy issues.

Additional Legal Resources:

• Attorney Referrals for Estate Planning, Probate, and Guardianship
• Attorney Referrals for Medicaid, Long Term Care issues and Estate Planning
• Legal Resources for Estate Planning 
  • In this document, you will find Legal Resources for estate planning including wills and powers of attorney for financial matters and health care.
• Neighborhood Legal Clinics 
  • A brochure provided by the King County Bar Association lists available free clinics.
• Record Locator
  • Use this document to keep track of your important documents and personal information.

Disclaimer: Senior Rights Assistance compiled these lists for information only, and does not recommend or endorse any particular lawyer. Please note that these lawyers do not provide free or low-cost services. For free or low-cost help, contact *211 for income screening.