[WSBAPT] Receipts for distribution from estate

[Heather deVrieze]

I know Lisa is not alone in requesting signed receipts before distributing funds, so it must work, but. . .
I would be unlikely personally to sign such a receipt, and generally advise any beneficiary seeking my advice that they better be darn sure they trust the Personal Representative and their attorney because what would be their recourse if the check never arrives.

I have a few ways I handle final receipts, and some of them require beneficiaries to sign something ahead of getting their check, but, never a receipt before they have the check in hand.

I also find that if you have a decree of distribution that specifies amounts, and you have a cancelled check (perhaps with "in full distribution Sally Smith Estate") for that amount, there isn't any argument that the distributions weren't made.

Heather


Heather S. de Vrieze
Attorney-at-Law
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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of Lisa E Schuchman
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2017 12:42 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Receipts for distribution from estate

Rich,

When possible, I send Receipts out for signature and send checks only after I receive the Receipt.  If heirs are local, I will arrange for an in-person exchange.  On occasion I have relied on an endorsement on a check as proof of receipt.

Lisa E. Schuchman
206-960-4212
www.lisaschuchman.com<http://www.lisaschuchman.com/>

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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> [mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of J Richard McEntee, Jr.
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2017 12:32 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Receipts for distribution from estate

Hello listmates

I recently filed a petition for decree of distribution. Following a hearing on my petition, I obtained an order discharging the PR upon filing of receipts from each of the heirs and beneficiaries. Can someone share with me the process by which you typically send checks and receipts to heirs? I am thinking that I would use regular mail and enclose the check, a receipt, and a stamped return envelope along with a cautionary letter that the beneficiary is not authorized to cash or deposit the check until such time as they have signed and returned the receipt? Are there other better ways to handle this such that I am likely to receive the receipts back?

Rich

RICH McENTEE
McENTEE LAW OFFICE
3800 Bridgeport Way W, Ste A411
University Place, WA 98466
253.227.9894(m)
jrmcentee at gmail.com<mailto:jrmcentee at gmail.com>

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