[WSBAPT] pre and post nups re death

[Eric Nelsen]

Marital agreements are not testamentary instruments. To actually transfer property at death they need to either meet the requirements of a statutory community property agreement, RCW 26.16.120 (works on community property only, and assuming no later divorce) or executed with Will formalities (probably wasn't done).

Even if the clause in the marital agreement doesn't transfer the property itself, it might be sufficient to impose a constructive trust in order to meet its intent. I haven't looked at case law for that possibility for a while.

Depending on the language, it could possibly operate as a waiver, but as to your example probably not. If decedent has a Will, then surviving spouse has no right to inherit decedent's separate property anyway; it passes under the Will. On the other hand, if there is no Will, then the clause has no effect, yes? The way it's phrased, I don't think it implies a waiver by the surviving spouse of the statutory right to inherit a portion of decedent's separate property.

Sincerely,

Eric

Eric C. Nelsen
SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC
1320 University St
Seattle WA  98101-2837
phone 206-625-0092
fax 206-625-9040




From: WSBA-Family-Law at yahoogroups.com [mailto:WSBA-Family-Law at yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 1:25 PM
To: WSBA-Family-Law at yahoogroups.com
Cc: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv
Subject: [WSBA-Family-Law] pre and post nups re death


What is the most recent interpretation of testamentary provisions within a pre or post nuptial agreement?  e.g. a pre nup says on death all separate property of decedent goes in accord with decedent's will; it is signed and acknowledged by both, but not witnessed by two others; does this work as a waiver of inheritance rights?  I don't see how it could operate as a will.  Does it utterly fail without testamentary witnesses?

Am I just not seeing the trees cuz of the forest?

Roger Hawkes, WSBA # 5173
19909 Ballinger Way NE
Shoreline, WA 98155
www.hawkeslawfirm.com<http://www.hawkeslawfirm.com>
206 367 5000
Fax is 206 367 4005

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