Washington law

Elder Laws in Washington.

Washington elder law sits at the intersection of federal programs (Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security) and Washington's guardianship, advance-directive, community-property, and long-term-care statutes. Washington enacted the nation's first state-run long-term services and supports trust program — WA Cares — effective July 2023 under the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Act (RCW 50B.04), funded by a 0.58% payroll tax on Washington wages. Washington adopted the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act in 2019 (effective 2022) — a major modernization.