[WSBAPT] Odd Probate

[Amy Goertz]

Good afternoon, Listmates,

I have a potential estate planning client who brought in one of those huge four-inch thick Estate Planning Portfolios to review. He and his wife married in 2009 after 20+ years together. Wife had an adult daughter and four grandkids; husband has no children. About a month after the marriage, they had the Portfolio prepared by a local attorney. They signed Revocable Living Trust documents and Pour Over Wills, but the Trust was not funded. They were provided paperwork to fund the Trust, but it was unsigned. In November 2009, about a week after signing the documents, the wife went in for a biopsy and died on the operating table. 

Years later, on May 21, 2013, a different local attorney initiated probate proceedings, had said client appointed as PR, and sent a Notice of Appointment to the wife’s (adult) daughter. Two weeks later, on June 3, 2013, the attorney filed a Declaration of Completion of Probate, and again sent Notice to the wife’s daughter. Affidavits of Mailing are on file. Client states that the Trust was not funded and everything was transferred to him.

The Pour Over Will admitted to probate provides for all property to go to the Trust and, if Trust is not in effect for any reason, then as a Testamentary Trust with the same terms. The Trust provides for “no restrictions” on distributions of income or principal to the spouse as deemed advisable in the Trustee’s (spouse) sole discretion for the health, education, maintenance and support. On the death of the second spouse, the Trust provides for some significant specific bequests and residuary distribution to the wife’s daughter (20%) and her children (80%).

Client has possession and control of approximately $1million and is planning to remarry. He wants to leave his house and significant funds to his new wife. He also wishes to sell his business and has a tentative deal to sell the business for $1 million. He says he gave 20% of his company to his previous wife.

I’ve never seen such a bizarre two-week probate or an outright disregard for the terms of the Will. Now nearly five years have passed and no objection was filed. The client is 57 years old so could potentially live for a very long time.  If the Trust was not funded upon the wife's death eight years ago or during the probate five years ago, has the statute of limitations passed for objecting to the distributions? How can we remedy this situation so that we are certain of what terms to follow?

Thanks in advance - sorry for the lengthy post.


Amy J. Goertz, J.D.
Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC
amyjgoertz at icloud.com <mailto:amyjgoertz at icloud.com> 

1.888.926.2607 phone
1.877.684.1627 fax

Address for correspondence:
2829 S. Grand Blvd., Suite 303
Spokane, WA 99203 

Additional office locations:
510 Bell Street
Edmonds, WA 98020

7418 East Helm Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC
Lambrecht Dispute Resolution LLC
www.goertzlambrecht.com <http://www.goertzlambrecht.com/>
www.lambrechtdisputeresolution.com <http://www.lambrechtdisputeresolution.com/>

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