[WSBAPT] Wrongful Death - Divorce not Final

[Jennifer L White]

I agree with Nick. Though the surviving almost ex-spouse's non-economic damage claim will be severely curtailed (after all, how much loss of care, companionship & love can you claim if you were in the process of kicking them to the curb), they may still have a robust economic damage claim. I can see that in a situation where they (SS) were anticipating receiving years-worth of spousal maintenance, which they are not if their almost ex is now deceased.

Jennifer L. White, Esq.
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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Nick Pleasants
Sent: Monday, April 17, 2023 10:28 AM
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Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Wrongful Death - Divorce not Final

Potentially the parents could claim under RCW 4.20.020 if the spouse is disallowed and there are no children. However, I tend to believe that the spouse maintains the right if the divorce is not finalized.


Nicholas Pleasants | Shareholder



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Subject: [WSBAPT] Wrongful Death - Divorce not Final


My recollection is that when a couple has filed for divorce, but that divorce is not final, they are still married for the purposes of RCW 11.04.



The assets of the decedent would still be community property.



Question: Would the beneficiaries of a wrongful death action be the not yet ex-spouse, or is it possible to argue that such an action may recover for the parents of the deceased, if there were no children?



Heather



Heather S. de Vrieze
Attorney-at-Law

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