[WSBAPT] Specific Devise of Real Property

[Roger Hawkes]

Isn't there some rule that allows a will to refer to a writing that is outside the will?

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Philip N. Jones
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 5:41 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Specific Devise of Real Property

I don't think you can supplement or correct a will, except by a new will or a codicil, both of which require the execution formalities of a will.  I think you need a good legal description, or an informal description that conveys enough information to incorporate all of the various parcels that you are trying to describe.  Of course, if the property is a simple home on a simple lot, then the address is good enough.  Or even "my home on Elm Street."  In more complicated situations, if you can't get a good legal description, you might say "The twenty acres on Farm Road my father left to me, together with the adjacent 15 acres I purchased in 1975."  But if you get the number of acres wrong or the date wrong, you might have a problem.  Maybe you need to say "The approximately twenty acres on Farm Road my father left to me, together with the adjacent approximately 15 acres I purchased in about 1975."  Of course, property tax account numbers and tax lot numbers help, but be careful of leaving something out.  Which is why you might want to say "together with any adjacent parcels owned by me."
Phil Jones

Philip N. Jones
Duffy Kekel LLP
900 S.W. Fifth Ave. Suite 2500
Portland, OR 97204
pjones at duffykekel.com<mailto:pjones at duffykekel.com>
(503) 226-1371 - office
(503) 853-1482 - cell
(503) 226-3574 - fax

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>> On Behalf Of Jennifer L White
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 3:57 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Specific Devise of Real Property


And, add in the Will language something to the effect that the legal description used herein is based on the information on hand at the time of the Will's execution and is a best approximation that is subject to later correction upon survey or receiving further more definitive information clarifying it.

Jennifer L. White, Esq.
[cid:image001.jpg at 01D91087.1EC8DD50]

jen at appletreelaw.com<mailto:jen at appletreelaw.com>
PO Box 11037
Yakima, WA 98909
509.225.9813

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>> On Behalf Of Jeff at bellanddavispllc.com<mailto:Jeff at bellanddavispllc.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 3:51 PM
To: 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv' <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Specific Devise of Real Property

I agree this would be the time to clear this up; but, as always, client wants to sign the new Will ASAP.  So I think the answer, here, is to do what Phil suggests and then follow through with what Christopher suggests.

Jeff

W. Jeff Davis
BELL & DAVIS PLLC
Attorneys at Law
P.O. Box 510
720 E. Washington Street, Suite 105
Sequim WA 98382
Phone: (360) 683.1129
Fax: (360) 683.1258
email: jeff at bellanddavispllc.com<mailto:jeff at bellanddavispllc.com>
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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>> On Behalf Of Philip N. Jones
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 3:32 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Specific Devise of Real Property

True, but if you (or your client) don't want to go to that trouble, just describe it in a way that is unmistakable, even though it is not the correct legal description.  For example, my home at 1234 Anywhere Street, Spokane WA 99203, together with any adjacent lots owned by me.
Phil Jones

Philip N. Jones
Duffy Kekel LLP
900 S.W. Fifth Ave. Suite 2500
Portland, OR 97204
pjones at duffykekel.com<mailto:pjones at duffykekel.com>
(503) 226-1371 - office
(503) 853-1482 - cell
(503) 226-3574 - fax

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>> On Behalf Of Britt, Christopher
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 3:00 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Specific Devise of Real Property

I would use this as an opportunity to clarify what is owned and take care of it during the lifetime of the testator.  Get a survey or title insurance policy and use the new legal or the newly clarified information to make life easier for you and them.  It will help them sleep more soundly knowing that they are transferring what they mean to and it will help you sleep more soundly knowing that you have the correct legal.

Christopher G. Britt, M.A., J.D.
Attorney at Law
[Image removed by sender.]
1403 S. Grand Blvd., Suite 201-S
Spokane, WA 99203-2278

P: 509.455.3713
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E: christopher at lucentlaw.com<mailto:christopher at lucentlaw.com>
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On Wed, Dec 14, 2022 at 2:56 PM <Jeff at bellanddavispllc.com<mailto:Jeff at bellanddavispllc.com>> wrote:
Listmates:

Client wants to specifically devise a piece of property.  I usually include the full legal description in the Will.  However, there is confusion as to the correct legal description.  There appears to be overlapping deeds; several correction deeds, that involve two properties.  For a specific bequest of real property, is it suffice to use just the street address; or couple it with the assessor's tax id?

Jeff Davis

W. Jeff Davis
BELL & DAVIS PLLC
Attorneys at Law
P.O. Box 510
720 E. Washington Street, Suite 105
Sequim WA 98382
Phone: (360) 683.1129
Fax: (360) 683.1258
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