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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Mike--The situation is not good. Nonmarital partner does not take under inheritance rules. Take a look at
<u>Estate of Langeland</u>, 177 Wn. App. 315, 312 P.3d 657 (Div. 1 2013) <u>rev. denied</u> 180 Wn.2d 1009 (2014), holding that intestacy statutes don't apply, and that the community-like property accumulated by the nonmarital couple during the relationship
should be divided in a "fair and equitable" manner between the deceased's estate and the survivor, which is not necessarily 50-50. I guess there's a chance that the client could argue that "fair and equitable" here would be 100% to her given that the deceased
has no one but shirttail relatives to inherit--the "laughing heir" scenario that our intestacy rules are supposed to try to avoid.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">1320 University St<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Seattle WA 98101-2837<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Mike Winslow<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, April 07, 2015 10:29 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA RPPT Probate & Trust Discussion Forum<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] death and meretricious relationship<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">New client comes to me following death of her significant other. Client and her boyfriend/spousal equivalent acquired a single family residence 15 years ago during the course of a 30 year marital like relationship. Never married or registered
DP.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Title taken as tenants in common. Mortgage paid in full. <o:p>
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The conduct of the relationship sounds like it will meet all the criteria for a meretricious relationship, with joint bank accounts, pooling funds, etc.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Decedent boyfriend has no known heirs. Probably distant relatives could be located through a search.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Client would like to establish title to the real estate in her name.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do we file a probate and then seek relief under TEDRA?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another approach?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If TEDRA, do we seek appointment of a Special Representative? Publish notice?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Any recent decisions on this topic? The WSBA desk book for Probates and for Estate Planning were both written in 2005. This is the only source consulted thus far.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If anyone has handled one of these, would appreciate talking with you.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Michael A. Winslow<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1204 Cleveland Ave.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mount Vernon, WA 98273<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ph. 360-336-3321<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Em. <a href="mailto:Mike@winslegal.com">Mike@winslegal.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This message is from an attorney, so it’s confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, it’s too late to stop reading this message, but you may not use it for any improper purpose. Huge Disclaimer available upon request.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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