[WSBAPT] Decedent used two names

[Amy Goertz]

I currently have a case like this and it has been challenging because even though she officially changed her name and I have a court order saying so, the IRS still maintains that her SSN belongs to her original name. And, yes, she had a new Social Security card issued prior to her death with her new name and original SSN.

We opened the probate as “New Name, formerly known as Previous Name” and this has allowed us to bypass many of this issues but not all. 

Getting an EIN number was the first hurdle, and opening an estate account another one that was difficult but ultimately overcome.

Amy

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

Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC
www.goertzlambrecht.com <http://www.goertzlambrecht.com/>







> On Feb 2, 2023, at 1:26 PM, Heather de Vrieze <heatherd at westseattlelaw.com> wrote:
> 
> I have done this on more than one occasion. Best to get it right at the outset, though a motion and order to amend can fix later discovered issues.
> 
> Heather S. de Vrieze
> Attorney-at-Law
> de Vrieze | Carney PLLC
> 3909 California Avenue SW
> Seattle, WA 98116-3705                          
> (206)938-5500 
> heatherd at westseattlelaw.com 
> www.westseattlelaw.com 
> 
> CONFIDENTIAL & PRIVILEGED. This e-mail message may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information.  If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of this e-mail message and any attachment.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of John Creahan
> Sent: Thursday, February 2, 2023 1:11 PM
> To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
> Subject: [WSBAPT] Decedent used two names
> 
> Hi,
> I have a situation I haven't seen before.
> I have a new client who will be personal representative of her mother's estate.
> Mom used two names - both the name she was born with ("Sally Smith") and her married name ("Sally Smith-Jones").
> Apparently she has bank accounts in both names.
> I am concerned that banks might not recognize the personal representative's authority if we open the estate in only one name.
> Does anybody have any experience with opening an estate using an also known as (Sally Smith a/k/a Sally Smith-Jones).
> FWIW, both names are on the death certificate.
> Any thoughts would be appreciated.
> Thanks,
> John
> 
> John Creahan
> 206-578-5877
> http://www.cairn-law.com
> 
> Fremont office:
> 3417 Evanston Ave. N.
> Seattle, WA 98103
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ***Disclaimer: Please note that RPPT listserv participation is not restricted to practicing attorneys and may include non-practicing attorneys, law students, professionals working in related fields, and others.*** _______________________________________________
> WSBAPT mailing list
> WSBAPT at lists.wsbarppt.com
> http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt
> 
> 
> ***Disclaimer: Please note that RPPT listserv participation is not restricted to practicing attorneys and may include non-practicing attorneys, law students, professionals working in related fields, and others.***
> _______________________________________________
> WSBAPT mailing list
> WSBAPT at lists.wsbarppt.com
> http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/wsbapt/attachments/20230202/d79ef605/attachment.html>