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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>James R. Doran<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Attorney at Law<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>100 E. Pine Street – Suite 205<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Bellingham, WA 98225<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>(360)393-9506<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><a href="mailto:jim@doranlegal.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>jim@doranlegal.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>www.doranlegal.com<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext'> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Dewey Weddle<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, December 16, 2014 3:36 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] disqualifying a named personal representative<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Thanks to all who responded. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>I considered a small estate affidavit, but it cannot be used because not all of the debts of the decedent have been paid.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Richard Wills guided me in the right direction. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>In re Estate of Marcella Louise Jones:</span></u><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>152 Wash.2d 1</span><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Any person interested in a will may object to the granting of testamentary letters to the persons named as executors. <a 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)" 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)"><span style='text-decoration: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='font-size:10.0pt;color:#252525;background:#FEFE00'>personal</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> </span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#252525;background:#FEFE00'>representative</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> may interfere with this right, that person should not be appointed. <a 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)" 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)"><i><span style='text-decoration:none'>In re Estate of Langill,</span></i><span style='text-decoration: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 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)" 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)"><i><span style='text-decoration:none'>Id.</span></i><span style='text-decoration:none'> at 269, 201 P. 28.</span></a> Therefore, where a </span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#252525;background:#FEFE00'>conflict</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> of </span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#252525;background:#FEFE00'>interest</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> 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='font-size:10.0pt;color:#252525;background:#FEFE00'>disqualified</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>. <i>See </i><a 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)" 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)"><i><span style='text-decoration:none'>In re Estate of Thomas,</span></i><span style='text-decoration: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 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)" 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)"><i><span style='text-decoration:none'>In re Estate of Rohrback,</span></i><span style='text-decoration:none'> 152 Or.App. 68, 72, 74, 952 P.2d 87 (1998)</span></a> (holding that where a </span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#252525;background:#FEFE00'>conflict</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> of </span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#252525;background:#FEFE00'>interest</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> exists, a person may be removed as a </span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#252525;background:#FEFE00'>personal</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> </span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#252525;background:#FEFE00'>representative</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>); <a 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)" 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)"><i><span style='text-decoration:none'>Genins v. Boyd,</span></i><span style='text-decoration:none'> 166 Ga.App. 843, 844, 305 S.E.2d 391 (1983)</span></a> (holding that where a </span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#252525;background:#FEFE00'>conflict</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> of </span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#252525;background:#FEFE00'>interest</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> exists, a person may not be appointed as a </span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#252525;background:#FEFE00'>personal</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> </span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#252525;background:#FEFE00'>representative</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>).</span><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><a href="file:///C:\Users\Dewey\Documents\Dewey's%20Docs\CLIENT%20FILES\GUARDIANSHIPS\Kertis\In%20re%20Estate%20of%20Jones.doc#co_footnote_B014142004647604_1" title="file:///C:/Users/Dewey/Documents/Dewey's%20Docs/CLIENT%20FILES/GUARDIANSHIPS/Kertis/In%20re%20Estate%20of%20Jones.doc#co_footnote_B014142004647604_1"><sup><span style='text-decoration:none'>14</span></sup></a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph'>I think I have enough factual and legal support to have the guardian appointed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph'>Thanks again to all of you who responded, and happy holidays to all.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph'> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Dewey<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>----- Original Message ----- <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <a href="mailto:richardwills@washington-probate.com" title="mailto:richardwills@washington-probate.com">Richard Wills</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>To:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" title="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Sent:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Tuesday, December 16, 2014 1:50 PM<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Subject:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Re: [WSBAPT] disqualifying a named personal representative<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>On 12/16/2014 12:34 PM, Dewey Weddle wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>O Wise Ones,<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>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><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>pro bono </span></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).<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></blockquote><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><br>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.</span></b><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><br><br><br><br><o:p></o:p></span></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> 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. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Having an independent administrator appointed is not a viable option because payments to that person would essentially result in nothing left to distribute. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Best regards to all, and thanks in advance for your thoughts,<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Dewey<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Law Office of Dewey W. Weddle, PLLC<br>909 7th Street<br>Anacortes, WA 98221<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Telephone 360-293-3600<br>Fax 360-293-3700<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><br><br><br><o:p></o:p></span></p><pre>_______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>WSBAPT mailing list<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com" title="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com">WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt" title="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt">http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</a><o:p></o:p></pre></blockquote><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><br>_______________________________________________<br>WSBAPT mailing list<br><a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com">WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><br><a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt">http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote></div></div></body></html>