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WILLS, POWERS OF ATTORNEY
Names of legal forms discussed on this page:
*Will
*Health Care Directive (also known as Living Will)
*Power of Attorney for Health Care
*Power of Attorney for general/financial matters
The Power of Attorney for Health Care may be combined with the Health Care Directive to make one form.
*Marriage license applications
*Domestic partner registration
FIVE WAYS TO CREATE WILLS, POWERS of ATTORNEY, HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES
Listed in order of cost.
1. Washington government agencies have free forms and instructions for you on their websites.
The downtown Bellingham public library has books with information and forms you can photocopy.
2. Griggs Stationers sells blank forms for a few dollars each.
3. WillMaker is a program you can buy to create your own forms.
4. A local paralegal can prepare the forms.
5. Local attorneys can prepare your forms.
Please remember: US notaries can only notarize the signatures on your forms. We are not permitted to prepare or complete the documents.
1. WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES and
BELLINGHAM PUBLIC LIBARY
Free forms and information. Several agency websites are listed.
*Northwest Justice Project - a joint federal and state agency.
Form and information for Power of Attorney for general/financial matters
http://www.nwjustice.org/pdfs/9900.pdf
Toll-free numbers
Call (888) 387-7111 if you are a senior of any income.
Call (888) 201-1014 if you have low income (for people of all ages). 888 numbers are toll free. You may be on hold for a half-hour or more.
*Washington Department of Social and Health Services:
General information
www.AASA.DSHS.WA.gov/Library/publications/htmlversions/legalrights.htm#living
*Washington State Medical Association
Forms:Health Care directives and Power of Attorney for Health Care
http://www.wsma.org/Patients/livingwill.pdf
Main page for agency website – section for seniors
www.WSMA.org/Patients/EndOfLife.html
*Senior Services
Information for Health Care Directive and Power of Attorney for Health Care
http://www.seniorservices.org/documents/Advanced%20Directives.pdf
Forms for Health Care Directive and Power of Attorney for Health Care
http://www.seniorservices.org/documents/Living%20Will.pdf
http://www.seniorservices.org/documents/DPOA.pdf
Main page for agency website
http://www.seniorservices.org
*Internet Legal Resource Guide
Forms: Wills.
Below is the web address for a single person with adult children. Scroll to the bottom of this page if you wish to choose another format (such as for married persons with minor children). Be careful to choose WASHINGTON state.
http://www.ilrg.com/forms/lastwill-single-ac/us/wa
For questions and advice, call the Northwest Justice Project, above.
*Washington state legal code (also known as the Revised Code of Washington). You may find answers to some of your legal questions.
http://www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/
FREE FORMS & INFORMATION AT THE LIBRARY
The downtown branch of the Bellingham library has several books containing forms and information for Washington seniors. The reference desk can help you find books on Elder Law, Powers of Attorney, and Wills.
Look for books with these call numbers:
344.7, 346.0, and 346.7
Locate the documents and information you want inside the books then use the library’s photocopier.
2. LOW-COST FORMS AT GRIGG’S STATIONERY STORE
Grigg’s Stationers in downtown Bellingham sells legal forms for a dollar or two each. 115 Unity Street, behind the Mt. Baker Theatre. (360) 676-1232
3. WILLMAKER software
This easy-to-use $50 program was created by the same people who made Quicken software. Buy WillMaker at www.Nolo.com
Nolo is a self-help legal bookstore and website.
4. LOCAL PARALEGAL
Ken Davis of Davis and Rollins will prepare a package for you for around $150. The package includes:
Will, Power of Attorney for Health Care, Power of Attorney for general/financial matters, and Health Care Directive (also known as Living Will)
(360) 757-8775 cell (360) 647-5539 office
5. LOCAL ATTORNEYS
Bellingham attorney specializing in Elder Law:
*Brian Hansen (360) 671-9212
http://www.rhf-law.com/brian_hansen.html
You may also search NAELA - National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
A trade association of attorney specialists.
http://www.naela.org/Applications/ConsumerDirectory/index.cfm
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