Practice Areas
Vulnerable Adult Protection
Washington has several laws that can be used to protect vulnerable adults. Thompson Howle Vaughn attorneys have extensive experience using these laws to help vulnerable adults.Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders. A vulnerable adult may seek protection from actual or threatened abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect, by filing a petition for an order for protection in superior court. Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders are enforced by the police. Violation of a Vulnerable Adult Protection Order is a criminal offense.
A vulnerable adult is anyone
- Over the age of 60 who has the functional, mental, or physical inability to care for himself or herself, or
- Who is subject to a guardianship, or
- Who is developmentally disabled, or
- Who receives nursing home care or other types of personal care defined by the statute.
- A Vulnerable Adult Protection Order petition may be brought by:
- The vulnerable adult, or
- The vulnerable adult’s family members, or
- The vulnerable adult’s legal fiduciary, or
- The Department of Social and Health Services.
- The attorney-in-fact, or
- The principal (the person who granted the power of attorney), or
- The spouse of the principal, or
- The guardian of the principal, or
- Any other interested person who can demonstrate a legitimate interest in the welfare of the principal and a good faith belief that the court’s intervention is necessary.
