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<DIV>
<DIV>Thanks to all who responded. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I considered a small estate affidavit, but it cannot be used because not
all of the debts of the decedent have been paid.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Richard Wills guided me in the right direction. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><U>In re Estate of Marcella Louise Jones:</U> <SPAN style='color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'>152
Wash.2d 1</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; -ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>Any
person interested in a will may object to the granting of testamentary letters
to the persons named as executors. <A title="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=L&pubNum=1000259&cite=WAST11.28.020&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=LQ&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"
href="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=L&pubNum=1000259&cite=WAST11.28.020&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=LQ&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"><SPAN
style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">RCW
11.28.020</SPAN></A>. Moreover, the right of beneficiaries to have an estate
distributed by law is a primary right, and if a particular person serving as a
</SPAN><B><SPAN style='background: rgb(254, 254, 0); color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>personal</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>
</SPAN><B><SPAN style='background: rgb(254, 254, 0); color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>representative</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>
may interfere with this right, that person should not be appointed. <A title="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1921102137&pubNum=660&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"
href="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1921102137&pubNum=660&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"><I><SPAN
style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">In re Estate
of Langill,</SPAN></I><SPAN title="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1921102137&pubNum=660&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)
CTRL + Click to follow link"
style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> 117 Wash.
268, 270, 201 P. 28 (1921)</SPAN></A>. It is the court’s job to guard against
waste or loss to the estate. <A title="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1921102137&pubNum=660&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"
href="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1921102137&pubNum=660&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"><I><SPAN
style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Id.</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> at 269, 201
P. 28.</SPAN></A> Therefore, where a </SPAN><B><SPAN style='background: rgb(254, 254, 0); color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>conflict</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>
of </SPAN><B><SPAN style='background: rgb(254, 254, 0); color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>interest</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>
exists which would contravene the rights of the beneficiaries and result in
waste of the estate, a potential representative should be </SPAN><B><SPAN style='background: rgb(254, 254, 0); color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>disqualified</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>.
<I>See </I><A title="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1932103377&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"
href="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1932103377&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"><I><SPAN
title="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1932103377&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)
CTRL + Click to follow link"
style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">In re Estate
of Thomas,</SPAN></I><SPAN title="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1932103377&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)
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style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> 167 Wash.
127, 133–34, 8 P.2d 963 (1932)</SPAN></A> (holding that where ill will exists
which would result in more litigation the court may appoint any suitable person
even if that person is outside of the family); <A title="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1998030991&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"
href="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1998030991&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"><I><SPAN
style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">In re Estate
of Rohrback,</SPAN></I><SPAN title="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1998030991&pubNum=661&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)
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style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> 152 Or.App.
68, 72, 74, 952 P.2d 87 (1998)</SPAN></A> (holding that where a </SPAN><B><SPAN
style='background: rgb(254, 254, 0); color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>conflict</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>
of </SPAN><B><SPAN style='background: rgb(254, 254, 0); color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>interest</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>
exists, a person may be removed as a </SPAN><B><SPAN style='background: rgb(254, 254, 0); color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>personal</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>
</SPAN><B><SPAN style='background: rgb(254, 254, 0); color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>representative</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>);
<A title="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1983139397&pubNum=711&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"
href="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1983139397&pubNum=711&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"><I><SPAN
title="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1983139397&pubNum=711&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)
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style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Genins v.
Boyd,</SPAN></I><SPAN title="http://www.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1983139397&pubNum=711&originatingDoc=I161ebe7ef79d11d9b386b232635db992&refType=RP&originationContext=document&vr=3.0&rs=cblt1.0&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)
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style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> 166 Ga.App.
843, 844, 305 S.E.2d 391 (1983)</SPAN></A> (holding that where a </SPAN><B><SPAN
style='background: rgb(254, 254, 0); color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>conflict</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>
of </SPAN><B><SPAN style='background: rgb(254, 254, 0); color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>interest</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>
exists, a person may not be appointed as a </SPAN><B><SPAN style='background: rgb(254, 254, 0); color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>personal</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>
</SPAN><B><SPAN style='background: rgb(254, 254, 0); color: rgb(37, 37, 37); font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>representative</SPAN></B><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>).</SPAN><SPAN
style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;'><A
title="file:///C:/Users/Dewey/Documents/Dewey's%20Docs/CLIENT%20FILES/GUARDIANSHIPS/Kertis/In%20re%20Estate%20of%20Jones.doc#co_footnote_B014142004647604_1"
href="file:///C:/Users/Dewey/Documents/Dewey's%20Docs/CLIENT%20FILES/GUARDIANSHIPS/Kertis/In%20re%20Estate%20of%20Jones.doc#co_footnote_B014142004647604_1"><SUP><SPAN
title="file:///C:/Users/Dewey/Documents/Dewey's%20Docs/CLIENT%20FILES/GUARDIANSHIPS/Kertis/In%20re%20Estate%20of%20Jones.doc#co_footnote_B014142004647604_1
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style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">14</SPAN></SUP></A></SPAN></P>
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style='color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt;'></SPAN> </P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; -ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">I
think I have enough factual and legal support to have the guardian
appointed.</P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; -ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"> </P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; -ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">Thanks
again to all of you who responded, and happy holidays to all.</P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; -ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"> </P></DIV>
<DIV>Dewey</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 5px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-width: 2px; border-left-style: solid;">
<DIV style="font: 10pt/normal arial; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">-----
Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV style="font: 10pt/normal arial; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"><B>From:</B>
<A title="mailto:richardwills@washington-probate.com" href="mailto:richardwills@washington-probate.com">Richard
Wills</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="font: 10pt/normal arial; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"><B>To:</B>
<A title="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">WSBA
Probate & Trust Listserv</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="font: 10pt/normal arial; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"><B>Sent:</B>
Tuesday, December 16, 2014 1:50 PM</DIV>
<DIV style="font: 10pt/normal arial; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"><B>Subject:</B>
Re: [WSBAPT] disqualifying a named personal representative</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><BR>
<DIV class="moz-cite-prefix">On 12/16/2014 12:34 PM, Dewey Weddle
wrote:<BR></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite="mid:SNT149-DS2051C111D3945802F3F616CD6C0@phx.gbl" type="cite">
<STYLE></STYLE>
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<DIV>
<DIV>O Wise Ones,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Incapacitated person, subject of guardianship, passed away last
week. Will named her daughter (now deceased) as PR, and her son as
First Alternate. Estate estimated to be less than $10K.
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I represent guardian, who is deceased's
granddaughter. Guardian, son, and others are beneficiaries of the
estate. Long history of strife between son, who was removed as
attorney-in-fact when guardianship was established 5 years ago, and
guardian. (Guardian is protected by a DVPO of 25 years duration
because of son's conduct [death threats, smashing out windshield of
guardian's car]). Son, with the assistance of
a <EM>pro bono </EM>attorney from the local Volunteer Lawyer
Program, has dragged guardian into court many times over the last two
years, with one issue recently decided by the Court of Appeals.
Son has lost every time and has been twice sanctioned by the
Superior Court. He presently owes the estate between $3,000
and $4,000 as a result of those sanctions, and has no apparent ability to
pay (chronically unemployed and believed to be living on disability
benefits).</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I am looking for authority or suggestions as to how I might have the
guardian appointed to administer the estate. RCW 11.88.150 (2) allows
a guardian to petition to transfer a guardianship to a probate
proceeding under some circumstances when the decedent dies intestate,
but that is not the case here. Son does not appear to be disqualified
under the statute to act as PR, because he is not a felon or has not been
convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude (unless his convictions for
violations of the DVPO count as moral turpitude). Case law supports
the proposition that the statute is not exclusive, and that a court can
refuse to appoint a named personal representative for other
reasons.</DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE><B><BR></B><B>Dewey --- There is WA case law
standing for the proposition that a named or appointed PR may be disqualified
by showing that he or she has a conflict of interest that prevents
impartiality.</B><BR><BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite="mid:SNT149-DS2051C111D3945802F3F616CD6C0@phx.gbl" type="cite">
<DIV>
<DIV> I can think of many equitable arguments to have the son
disqualified and to have the guardian administer what remains of this small
estate, but I am also hoping that some of you might have some
suggestions. Of particular interest to me, does the fact that the son
owes the estate money (and in fact has judgments against him)
disqualify him to act as PR? Seems to be a glaring conflict of
interest to me. I also do not think he is bondable. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Having an independent administrator appointed is not a viable option
because payments to that person would essentially result in nothing left to
distribute. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Best regards to all, and thanks in advance for your thoughts,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Dewey</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Law Office of Dewey W. Weddle, PLLC<BR>909 7th Street<BR>Anacortes,
WA 98221</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Telephone
360-293-3600<BR>Fax
360-293-3700</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV><BR>
<FIELDSET class="mimeAttachmentHeader"></FIELDSET><BR>
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