Firm Operations and Precautions in Light of the Coronavirus Crisis The estate planning, elder law, special needs trust, guardianship, and probate practice of Hickman Menashe, P.S. is open for business on a limited basis. In accordance with Governor Inslee’s Stay at Home order issued on March 23rd, to serve our existing clients, and to help others in the community get health care powers of attorney, wills, and other basic planning documents in place, we are taking the following steps: Currently, we are conducting all consultations and meetings, not involving the signing of documents, remotely. We are doing this via telephone, or for clients who have a smart phone or tablet/computer with a camera, via Facetime or Zoom. We are keeping minimal staffing at our Lynnwood office and most of us are working from our homes. We are implementing various strict strategies to accomplish necessary signings as safely as we can. This can include visits to our clients’ homes with signings on the porch or in the backyard. To those in the community wishing to establish or update their wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, or health care directives, please call our office at 425-744-5658 to set up an initial appointment, or send us an inquiry here PLAN NOW FOR PEACE OF MIND LATER Contact Us We advise clients and their families on a wide range of elder law and estate planning issues, including planning for those with disabilities. Our attorneys can assist with: Services Will, Trusts & Estate Planning We can't predict or control the future, but we can plan for the inevitable. Incapacity planning and proper estate planning are among the most helpful things you can do for yourself and your family.… Read More Long Term Care Planning You should plan for your Long term care before the need arises. We encourage you to consider purchasing Long term care insurance. As with any insurance policy, the earlier you buy in, the lower the premium. … Read More Probate and Estate Administration When a resident of the state of Washington passes away, their estate must be administered and disposed of according to law. It is possible to arrange one's affairs in a way that all assets have been disposed of before death, thus leaving no estate subject to probate. … Read More Special Needs Trusts A typical estate plan will distribute your property to surviving loved ones and favorite charities. If your children are adults, you may choose to leave funds to them outright. … Read More Guardianship and Trust Administration Sometimes life takes turns we do not anticipate. A debilitating stroke, an accident resulting in severe injuries, a money award to a minor, or any number of health, financial, or life circumstances may bring about a situation requiring the administration of another person's affairs. … Read More SET UP YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY Contact Us The Team At the office of Hickman Menashe, P.S., we have 50+ years of combined legal experience. Our law firm is AV-rated under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System*. We take a holistic approach, working to address all related legal concerns, including elder law, and estate planning. Our primary goal at all times is to protect your rights and help you move effectively toward the outcome you want. View Team Affiliations We pride ourselves in being associated with the most respected and prestigious networks and organizations to allow us to better serve our clients with the resources they need and deserve. We represent individuals throughout the Seattle area, in both King and Snohomish County, and all over Washington State, including Lynnwood, Shoreline, Lake Stevens, Edmonds, Bothell, Mill Creek, Monroe, Snohomish, Marysville, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Redmond, Woodinville, Renton and Tukwila. Our Blog We bring excellence and experience to every case we are a part of. Take a look at our blogs and learn more about your case and what to do. Washington State and the Coronavirus: Putting the Proper Estate Planning Documents In Place As the number of coronavirus cases in Washington State peaks, an anxious nation watches to see how we will respond. A March 20, 2020 New York Times news report detailed the struggles our area is currently facing. This includes difficult decisions doctors will likely have to make in dealing with critically ill patients. Those… Read More ABLE Account Certain federal and state benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid have financial guidelines. They require an individual to have no more than $2,000 in countable resources to qualify for the program. Once an individual starts to receive either benefit, countable resources cannot exceed $2,000 in order to maintain eligibility. Financial Eligibility Standards… Read More SECURE Act On January 1, 2020, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act (the “Act”) went into effect. This will result in significant changes to retirement planning. The Act increases saving potential in tax-sheltered accounts by extending the maximum age for contributions. The Act also adds a new requirement. This will significantly limit the… Read More The Struggle to Pay College Costs Is Raising Guardianship Issues According to a July 30, 2019 news report by the Washington Post, some parents are resorting to drastic measures in order to meet skyrocketing college costs. They are arranging for others to take custody of their children through guardianship proceedings to qualify for financial aid. This is particularly relevant in Washington State, which recently… Read More