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Kristina,</div>
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I think you should trust your gut with respect to appointment of a GAL for the incapacitated beneficiaries. I could be wrong, but I think RCW 11.76.080 requires it. As regards whether to fund the SNT, I think the safe move is to ask the Court to reform the
Will to dispense with that requirement, but still have the money placed in a Trust for the beneficiaries. Guardianship is not necessary if there are less restrictive alternatives, and with respect to finances, a Trust is a less restrictive alternative. With
respect to guardianship of the person, if relatives can help the sons without doctors asking for a POA or Letters of Guardianship, then I would not address it until the need arises. (If it ain't broke, don't fix it.)<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14pt;">
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<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:14pt">Best, </span>
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<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px"><span style="color:rgb(12,100,192)"><i><span style="color:rgb(12,100,192); font-size:14pt">Dewey
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<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:14pt">Law Office of Dewey W. Weddle, PLLC</span></p>
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<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:14pt">Telephone: 360-293-3600
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<div id="divRplyFwdMsg" dir="ltr"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" color="#000000" style="font-size:11pt"><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com> on behalf of Kristina Driessen <kristina@rdattys.comcastbiz.net><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, March 25, 2021 10:56 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Guardian ad Litem needed?</font>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial",sans-serif; color:black">Scenario: Decedent/ Father died with a Will. The Will contains a SNT and a lay person trustee. All assets go to two adult children who are in their 70’s, equally. After the Will was
drafted the Father took both adult kids off of state/federal services and simply paid out of pocket for their needs. The two adult children are now receiving Medicare.
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial",sans-serif; color:black">The SNT contains all the required language about not being used to provide basic food, clothing, shelter etc., but then states, unless all local, state and federal benefits for which
the beneficiary is eligible has first been fully expended. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial",sans-serif; color:black">The two adult children are clearly unable to care for themselves and no one has been appointed guardian. There appears to be enough sums to care for the duration of their lives. I understand
that ultimately a guardian should be appointed, but while family is helping with the care, there is zero interest in petitioning.
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial",sans-serif; color:black">In the Probate what is the best course: Reform the Will to provide for a non SNT, use the existing language to simply place into a non SNT Trust?</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial",sans-serif; color:black">Does a GAL need to be appointed?</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial",sans-serif; color:black">My gut says yes to the GAL(s), but I do not want to open a can of worms, if there is no requirement to do so.
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial",sans-serif; color:black">Thanks in advance.
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<i><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif; color:black">Kristina A. Driessen</span></i></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif; color:black">“A” Street Legal Services, Inc. P.S</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif; color:black">Attorneys at Law</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif; color:black">16 A Street SE</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif; color:black">Auburn, WA. 98002</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif; color:black">astreetlegalservices.com</span></p>
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<u><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif; color:black">kristina@rdattys.comcastbiz.net</span></u></p>
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