[WSBAPT] Disputed Creditor Claim

Tue Jun 15 10:51:14 PDT 2021

Heather, it might depend on what the out of state case involves before a substantive answer can be provided.
I have handled several cases in which the PR of the Estate is the necessary person named as plaintiff or defendant in out of state litigation.
Most of these were wrongful death and personal injury cases and there was insurance available to cover the claims.
My experience is more with WA litigation and some out of state PRs.  I always start with contacting a probate attorney in the state of litigation or where the PR is appointed.

First, you need to have someone in the state where the litigation has been commenced who knows probate law to provide you with that state's rules in substituting the PR appointed in WA.
Florida allows the PR appointed in Florida to be named in litigation in WA and accept service of the complaint.
California is also one that a PR in California can be named in WA litigation and accept service on behalf of Estate.

Since the litigation was filed before death and I assume, service was made on the deceased person before death, substituting the PR should be easy by amended complaint but again, the litigation is in another state so that state's laws would apply.
As for the creditor claim, the plaintiff in the out of state litigation can file a creditor claim but if rejected, the suit has already been filed supporting the claim.  Again, you would need to research this issue specifically.  If there is insurance, the rejection would trigger the insurance to cover the claims.

Dalynne Singleton
Gourley Law Group
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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Heather de Vrieze
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2021 9:21 AM
To: SAIL_WA - Solo and Independent Lawyers of WA <sail_wa at googlegroups.com>; 'wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com' <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Disputed Creditor Claim

If there is a pending lawsuit against decedent at the time of death RCW 11.40.110 requires that the Personal Representative be substituted as the defendant. Does this apply if we have a WA deceased defendant but the litigation is pending in another state?

If not, then presumably the other provisions of RCW 11.40 apply, and if the creditor files a claim, and the Personal Representative rejects it, does the creditor get to (or must they) file a new lawsuit in Washington? What happens to the lawsuit in other state?

I'm sure someone is more versed in these cross-border issues than I. I'm interested in any insight on this sticky issue, particularly cites to any case law.

Heather

Heather S. de Vrieze
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