JUNE 2021

As part of our continued growth, Brothers & Henderson, P.S is pleased to welcome Brittany S. Lu mia to the firm as an Associate. Brittany received her Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law in 2016 and graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science in 2011. Prior to joining Brothers & Henderson, Brittany worked as an estate planning and probate Associate at Hart Schoener Bliss, PS. During law school, Brittany was a legal intern for the Indian Estate Planning Project working with the Puyallup Tribe and a Student Attorney for the Federal Tax Clinic at the University of Washington School of Law. Brittany focuses her practice on estate planning, trust and estate administration, gift and estate tax, and transfers of real property. She counsels individuals and families on their personal planning needs, in both tax and non-tax aspects of estate planning and advises fiduciaries on their duties in trust and estate administration matters. Brittany was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, and relocated to Seattle in 2013. Brittany enjoys watching football (Go Sun Devils!), traveling, and golfing with her husband. Please join us in welcoming Brittany to the team!

Financial scammers often victimize older adults. Understanding the red flags of common senior scams can help you keep your parent or other loved ones safe. Review these characteristics of a financial scam so you can take action if necessary. Grandchild scam With this scenario, the scammer pretends to be a grandchild in trouble. He or she asks the grandparent for money and requests that they keep the problem a secret. Usually, the person perpetrates this scam on the phone and asks for either a money transfer or gift cards. Dating scam If your family member uses social media or dating apps, he or she may be at risk for scams. Often, someone from another state or even outside the U.S. poses as a potential romantic partner. He or she may solicit money or gifts while making up excuses to cancel planned video chats and visits. With this type of scam, also called catfishing, the scammer uses fake pictures and typically requests a large sum of money to resolve a legal problem or purchase plane tickets. Health insurance scam Seniors may find that scammers target their Medicare benefits . They may contact older adults by phone or email and attempt to get personal information by claiming the member’s benefits are in jeopardy. They might claim to be a billing firm working for Medicare and collect premiums or sell “new supplemental policies.”  The National Council on Aging reports that American seniors lose more than $3 billion to financial scams like these every year. Knowing the risks provides an important level of protection.

Elder abuse can have detrimental effects on a person’s overall health and well-being. Ongoing mistreatment may result in life-threatening outcomes. When families understand what elder abuse looks like and how to prevent it, they may reduce their loved one’s risks of suffering. Consistent and informative education may help families identify warning signs of mistreatment before it is too late. Types of abuse Many people think of physical abuse when they hear stories of elder abuse. However, abusive behavior can take on many forms. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, mistreatment of elders may include any the following: Isolation Manipulation Sexual assault Unsanitary living conditions Identity theft Signs of abuse Equally as important as knowing the types of abuse is for families to recognize the warning signs of mistreatment. Upon recognition of concerning behaviors, families should intervene promptly to prevent mistreatment from happening again. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, National Institute on Aging, families should watch for changes including the following: Weight loss Unexplained injuries Personality swings Disheveled appearance Unpaid bills Agitation  Families should use care when selecting people to provide medical and personal services to their aging loved ones. Caretakers should have proper certifications and exhibit qualities including compassion, empathy, patience and respect. Families can also establish regular visitation patterns to monitor their loved one’s appearance and demeanor. Showing up unannounced is another strategy for families to assess the living conditions of their loved ones. With an awareness of abusive behaviors and warning signs, families can protect their aging loved ones from mistreatment.

As part of our continued growth, Brothers & Henderson, P.S, is pleased to welcome Katie Marrs to the firm as Associate! Katie was admitted to practice in the State of Washington in 2017. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law in 2017 and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Law, Societies & Justice from the University of Washington in 2014. Ms. Marr’s practice focuses on elder law, Medicaid and VA long-term care planning, guardianship, estate and trust planning, and estate and trust administration. Ms. Marrs is a member of the Washington State Bar Association’s Elder Law, Real Property and Probate and Trust Sections. Additionally, she is a member of the King County Bar Association’s Guardianship, Elder Law and Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Sections as well as the Washington/National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Ms. Marrs also volunteers for the Washington State Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.  While not at work, Ms. Marrs enjoys spending her time with her husband, Caleb, and their two cats. They spend their weekend’s skiing, hiking, and camping with family and friends. Please welcome Katie to the team!

Watching your parents age can bring bittersweet moments and feelings of concern about their well-being. When their health reaches a point where you feel worried about their ability to safely care for themselves, you may consider acting as a guardian for them. The role of a guardian requires patience, compassion and integrity. You will also benefit from having organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively. Identifying a need Prior to your parents’ decline, you may consider discussing their wishes to determine that you can sufficiently meet their needs when the time comes to hire help. Prematurely appointing a guardian for your parents could cause emotional turmoil and put a strain on your relationships. Knowing when your parents have reached a point where they could benefit from guidance can help you make a confident decision on their behalf. Circumstances under which you may consider petitioning for guardianship of your parents may include their incapacity to make competent financial decisions or their refusal to move to a care facility. Any situation where you feel that your parents declining health will endanger their well-being is one when you may want to seek guardianship. Responding with empathy Accepting that you will take over primary care responsibilities can be difficult for your parents. Recognizing their decline in independence and allowing time for grief to run its course will require you to show extra compassion and unconditional love. According to aginginplace.org, empathy is one of the most important qualities of an effective caretaker .  Your ability to empathize with your parents and provide resounding support and encouragement can help them adjust to their new normal. With a legal guardianship in place, you can help your parents continue to enjoy their life.