Janet L. Smith

Janet L. Smith is an elder mediator in private practice with Janet L. Smith Mediation Services. She mediates disputes involving elder law, adult guardianship, TEDRA matters, estate and trust administration, and protection of vulnerable adults.

Janet was a founder of Elder Care Solutions, Inc., a company providing geriatric care management and guardianship services.

In 2005, Janet, founded Northwest Elder Law Group PLLC and practiced as an elder law attonrey in the areas of estate planning, guaridanship, probate, and protection of vulnerable adults.

Janet received a bachelor’s degree from Pomona College, a law degree from the University of Washington School of Law, and a Certificate in Gerontology from the University of Washington. Her mediation and facilitation training includes the Professional Mediation Skills Training Program at the University of Washington School of Law and Northwest Dispute Resolution Conferences. She is a member of the Washington State Bar Association Elder Law Section and Alternate Dispute Resolution Section, and the King County Bar Association Guardianship and Elder Law Section. Janet has provided training in elder mediation and is a regular speaker on elder law alternate dispute resolution. Janet’s experience in care management, guardianship, and elder law gives her a unique perspective for facilitating disputes that involve parties living with dementia or families dealing with long-term care issues.

Janet's practice is now limited to mediation. She conducts mediations in the following areas:

• Guardianship and the Uniform Guardianship Act

• Trust and Estate Administration

• Probate and Will Contests

• TEDRA (Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act)

• Protection of Vulnerable Adults

• Long term care and end of life disputes

• Facilitated Family Meetings

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