[WSBAPT] Spouse dies during Divorce Proceedings...Survivor still a spouse per will?

[Bryce Dille]

The decree must be entered mayor institution of proceedings has no effect

Bryce H. Dille
Dille Law, PLLC
1800 Cooper Point Road SW Bldg 11
Olympia, WA 98502
Office: 360-350-0270
Cell: 253-579-5561

** Please note that I use the dictation feature of my iPhone and that sometimes everything I say does not get properly translated**




[R_Alan_Swanson-WH-200]

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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Ryan Castle
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2025 8:58 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Spouse dies during Divorce Proceedings...Survivor still a spouse per will?

All,

A new issue for me that I want to confirm with the group. Spouse dies while in 4 year long dissolution proceeding with surviving spouse. Dissolution still not final. Deceased spouse has will listing deceased spouse's father as PR. Per RCW 11.12.051 and 11.07.010, survivor spouse still inherits under will and nonprobate assets as spouse, and survivor spouse is not revoked as beneficiary, correct? Or does the mere fact of dissolution proceedings revoke the survivor spouse's inheritance under the will? (will has no provision stating that the survivor still inherits even if divorced).

--

Ryan Castle
Castle Law Firm, PLLC
Managing Attorney
T: 360-592-3504
1313 E. Maple St., Suite 790
Bellingham, WA 98225
https://ryancastlelawfirm.com/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__ryancastlelawfirm.com_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=ZjJT61sMYHYXW1a7W0qvaz-zO3o_Ea2RRxXvW5Yr3-0&m=EBg2dmO3rTDHHssHc9HMLcOXW2OewR5lKMeIjdndmcYjCuCm-C5JhVNYVtoNoPJm&s=8LautzFR1UIm1XBwWHjg6v08UCj6H__Mj99pHY6rHAM&e=>


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