My role as the attorney in Guardianship matters is to represent either the Petitioner, the Guardian, the Alleged Incapacitated Person, or the Proposed Guardian. The Petitioner is the person who petitions the Court for a Guardianship to be established for the benefit of another who is alleged to be incapacitated as to their person, and/or their estate. As the attorney for the Petitioner, I assist with the petition for guardianship, and handle all the procedural and legal requirements set forth by the Revised Code of Washington, and the Washington Administrative Code.

My role as the attorney for the appointed Guardian varies dependent on the scope of assistance needed.

The costs associated with establishing/initiating an ordinary Guardianship include:

• The filing fee of $200.00 (filing fee is waived by the court if Alleged Incapacitated Person has under $3,000.00 in assets)
  
• The attorney's fee is either a flat $700.00, which is either paid by the Incapacitated Person's DSHS computed participation or the Incapacitated Person's estate, and sometimes by the Petitioner, e.g. a parent or family member.
  
• The Guardian ad litem's fee (paid by Spokane County if the Incapacitated Person has under $3,000.00 in assets, or by the Alleged Incapacitated Person's estate); and
  
• The fee for the physician's or psychologist's report.

Guardianship fees for clients of the Department of Social and Health Services have set maximums that include:

• The Guardian's fee, derived from the Incapacitated Person's DSHS computed participation, which must not exceed $175 per month
• The amount of administrative costs directly related to establishing a Guardianship must not exceed $700 per month (e.g. attorney's fees).
• In any order on review the amount of administrative costs shall not exceed a total of $600 during any three-year period.