Business Details
39 Years
experience
Your Trusted Elder Law & Disability Legal Experts in Seattle
Thompson & Howle is a Seattle-based law firm with over 35 years of experience specializing in elder law and legal matters affecting the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Since our founding in 1987, we have built a reputation for handling complex cases involving guardianship, probate, vulnerable adult protection, trust litigation, and special needs planning. Our team of seasoned attorneys brings decades of combined experience, with a focus on compassionate, client-centered representation.We are recognized leaders in Washington State, frequently handling appellate cases and serving as mediators in contested matters. Our practice extends to real estate law through attorney Florence Deleranko, ensuring comprehensive legal solutions for families navigating intricate legal challenges. We pride ourselves on being a trusted resource for peers and clients alike, with a track record of successful litigation and policy influence in elder law.
Services
Guardianship
Probate
Vulnerable Adult Protection
Litigation
Real Estate
Details
- Year established: 1987
Highlights and features
- We have over 35 years of specialized experience in elder law and disability legal matters
- Our attorneys have handled landmark appellate cases in vulnerable adult protection
- Recognized as Tier 1 Elder Law firm by legal industry peers
- Team includes former court commissioners and certified legal mediators
- We provide comprehensive solutions combining litigation and preventive planning
Services
Guardianship
We establish and manage guardianship proceedings for incapacitated individuals. Our attorneys help families obtain court authority to protect loved ones' personal and financial interests. We handle full or limited guardianships for developmental disabilities, Alzheimer's patients, and vulnerable adults requiring medical consent assistance.
Probate
Our firm administers probate estates to identify heirs, settle debts, and distribute assets according to wills or state law. We represent personal representatives in contested proceedings, will contests, and breach of fiduciary duty cases while ensuring compliance with Washington probate statutes.
Vulnerable Adult Protection
We secure protection orders for adults over 60 or disabled individuals facing abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Our attorneys assist with vulnerable adult petitions, power of attorney enforcement, and legal actions against caregivers misappropriating assets.
Litigation
Our litigation team handles complex trust, estate, and guardianship disputes in state and federal courts. We represent clients in will contests, fiduciary breach cases, and appeals including landmark slayer statute interpretations under Washington law.
Real Estate
Attorney Florence Deleranko provides real estate legal services including lease reviews, purchase agreements, and property transaction documentation. We assist clients with property matters integrated into estate planning and guardianship proceedings.
People
Karen Thompson
Partner - Retired
Karen Thompson, a 1977 University of Washington Law graduate, specialized in elder and disability law since 1980. She mediated contested guardianship cases and contributed to Washington's legal frameworks through publications and seminars.
Suzanne C. Howle
Partner - Retired
Suzanne Howle, admitted to Washington Bar in 1982, focused on guardianship and probate law. She co-authored legal practice manuals and received multiple Super Lawyer recognitions for her work in trusts and estates litigation.
Carol Vaughn
Partner
Carol Vaughn, Harvard Law graduate, specializes in trust and probate litigation. She has significant appellate experience including Washington Supreme Court cases on slayer statutes and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Florence K. Deleranko
Attorney
Florence Deleranko handles guardianships, estates, and real estate law. A 1984 Gonzaga graduate, she serves as probate Guardian ad Litem and provides real property legal services integrated with estate planning matters.
Carrie Williams
Attorney
Carrie Williams focuses on family law litigation and protection orders. With 23 years at Northwest Justice Project, she represents vulnerable clients in domestic violence and vulnerable adult cases while volunteering with Girl Scouts.
Questions
What areas of law does Thompson Howle Vaughn specialize in?
We specialize in elder law, focusing on guardianship, probate, vulnerable adult protection, trust litigation, and related real estate matters for individuals with disabilities.
Do you handle complex probate disputes?
Yes, our firm represents personal representatives and beneficiaries in contested probate proceedings, will contests, and breach of fiduciary duty cases across Washington State.
Can you help with guardianship for developmentally disabled adults?
We establish guardianships for adults with developmental disabilities, including medical consent authority and financial management through court-approved limited guardianship arrangements.
Do you provide appellate legal services?
Our attorneys have extensive appellate experience, including multiple Washington Supreme Court cases involving elder law, slayer statutes, and vulnerable adult financial exploitation.
What real estate services do you offer?
We review and draft real estate contracts, purchase agreements, and leases through attorney Florence Deleranko, integrating property matters with estate and guardianship planning.
How do you handle vulnerable adult financial exploitation cases?
We obtain protection orders, pursue legal actions against abusers, and recover misappropriated assets while working with Adult Protective Services investigations for vulnerable clients.
