Snohomish County attorney Alison Sheets helps clients understand every document they sign, from wills to powers of attorney
Checking a loved one’s mail, paying their bills or selling an asset on their behalf can all require legal authority that even a spouse doesn’t automatically have. For people who are single or in a committed relationship without a marriage license, the gap is even wider.
That’s often one of the first things Alison Sheets explains to new clients. A Mukilteo estate planning attorney with a public service and nonprofit background, Sheets has focused on wills and estates for three years from her office in Old Town, near the ferry terminal.
“Marriage gives you some protection when it comes to health care, but there are many other kinds of financial decisions that require additional planning to ensure your spouse has the right to make decisions during your incapacity,” Sheets says.
“If you’re single, or your significant other isn’t your spouse, that person doesn’t automatically have the right to make decisions for you or access your finances. Without the right documents, someone could be appointed to make those decisions on your behalf.”
“I see estate planning as an act of love,” Sheets says. “You’re putting these documents together to make things easier for your family and the people you care about.”
Her plans pair a will with incapacity documents, such as a power of attorney and a health care directive, which can apply during a temporary absence or a permanent change.
Where children are involved, a trust can offer protection that a will alone may not.
Retirement accounts and even a small savings account make up an estate, and without a plan, even a modest estate can still leave family and friends facing a lengthy probate.
A new Washington law gives families one more reason to plan. Passed this year to stop fraud involving estates left without a will, it added safeguards that also make the process more complicated.
“I see estate planning as an act of love,” Sheets says. “You’re putting these documents together to make things easier for your family and the people you care about.”
Because there’s a lot to take in, she treats each plan as a collaboration. She meets with clients several times to explain what each document does and to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Sheets also brings in an independent notary to signing sessions, which allows her to give full attention to the signing process while helping prevent future disputes regarding the documents.
When time is short, her Express Legal Planning service can streamline the process for people who have received a terminal diagnosis or are preparing for major surgery.
Consultations can happen remotely, which helps clients who come from Whidbey Island and beyond.
Sheets also volunteers with Snohomish County Legal Services to provide free wills clinics a few times a year for seniors with low incomes who meet the program’s qualifications.
To book a consultation, visit sheetslaw.co, call 425-588-0439 or stop by 315 Lincoln Ave., Suite B2, in Mukilteo.
Follow Sheets Law on Facebook and Instagram for estate planning tips throughout the year.