[WSBAPT] Hello Creditor Claim questions

[Diane J. Kiepe]

Follow up – not sure if it matters but the judgement is in another State.


Diane J. Kiepe
Douglas Eden, P.S.
717 W. Sprague Ave., Suite 1500
Spokane, WA  99201
djkiepe at depdslaw.com<mailto:djkiepe at depdslaw.com>
509-455-5300

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From: Diane J. Kiepe
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2024 9:57 AM
To: 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv' <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Hello Creditor Claim questions

Hello All,

I have cases where a creditor claim has been filed and I am curious about your thoughts.  Thank you in advance.


  1.  Mid-size estate.  Person had themselves appointed PR and filed a $1,000,000 creditor claim – filed to have person removed, person was removed.

I sent a rejection letter to the address on the claim, and it was returned.  Considered sending a second one but then thought I shouldn’t.

First one was sent certified return receipt and was not signed for after the 3 attempts.  This method of sending is new to me – traditionally, I would send my regular mail but in a recent review of the statute,  RCW 11.40.100, it states the rejection must be personally served or certified mail.

Would you resend without signature required?  Did I create a problem by doing signature return requested?



  1.  Small estate with 12 beneficiaries – some getting only less than $900.00.  Creditor claim for a bit over $3,000 sent to us but not court.  There is some language in our letter that requested the claim be served on us where I could see someone interpreting it as that’s all they need to no – no good I  know but water under the bridge (not my client 😉).. there’s this last sentence in RCW 11.40.070(4) that reads “Nothing in this chapter limits application of the doctrines of waiver, estoppel, or detrimental claims or any other equitable principle”.  I was asked my opinion on if a rejection should be sent and I lean towards yes but curious about other folk’s thoughts.

Lastly, if a judgment is rendered against a decedent before he dies but no claim is filed, and the judgement is not perfected, is there a ground to declare the judgement void if the 2 years from date of death has run?  The action was pending appeal and I do believe the amount was in question.  I feel like it fails under 11.40.070 but I also realize real life and the black letter law sometimes collide.


Diane J. Kiepe
Douglas Eden, P.S.
717 W. Sprague Ave., Suite 1500
Spokane, WA  99201
djkiepe at depdslaw.com<mailto:djkiepe at depdslaw.com>
509-455-5300

KINDLY ALLOW 2-4 WORKING DAYS TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE TO NON-URGENT EMAILS.  FEEL FREE TO SEND YOUR EMAIL (OR RESEND YOUR EMAIL AS THE CASE MAY BE) MARKED URGENT IN THE SUBJECT LINE.


DISCLAIMER: the preceding message and any attachments may contain confidential information protected by law, the attorney-client privilege or other privilege.  This communication is intended to be private and may not be recorded or copied without the consent of the author.  If you believe this message has been sent in error, REPLY to sender and then DELETE this message.  Thank you.



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