[WSBAPT] PR Duty to Respond to Potential Creditors?

[Heather de Vrieze]

Regarding the first question.

I have occasionally handled this by sending them a copy of the prior notice to them along with a letter saying, as a courtesy I am enclosing a copy of the notice provided on xx/xx/xxxx as required by law. Being helpful, but not pretending it is notice in and of itself.

Heather

Heather S. de Vrieze
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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Nicholas Pleasants
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 6:43 PM
To: wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com
Subject: [WSBAPT] PR Duty to Respond to Potential Creditors?

Hello fellow probate practitioners,
I have a couple probate hypotheticals for consideration.
First situation: Let’s say a creditor was provided Notice to Creditors, the 4-months since publication has passed and the 30-days from delivery to creditor has passed. Now creditor sends a letter asking for a copy of the Notice to Creditors. I don’t want to restart the RCW 11.40.030 clock, giving them another month to respond. Does PR have a duty to respond to this potential creditor at all?
Second situation: Let’s say decedent may have been in a meretricious relationship. Is the non-spouse partner entitled to any notice of the probate? Let’s say non-spouse is not mentioned in the Will at all, not a co-owner of decedent’s real property, but possibly there is some tangible personal property owned together. How about notice to creditors as a potential claimant? Obviously PR does not want to encourage potential claimant, and only wants to provide notice as strictly required by statute. Also wondering whether non-spouse partner has any right to request special notice?
I realize that second situation is a bit trickier, as the interplay between Committed Intimate Relationship doctrine and Probate is interesting. I am curious from a notice standpoint what responses you might advise PR to give in these situations. Thanks in advance for any experience you can share.

Best,
Nick

Nicholas Pleasants
Pleasants Law Firm, P.S.
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