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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'>Are the revocation provisions of RCW 11.12.051 effective for a Decree of Legal Separation?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'>I have a prospective client coming in whose “former” spouse has died. They had a decree of legal separation entered and it was never converted to a dissolution. I haven’t seen the actual decree yet to confirm what exact language is included, e.g. whether “The marriage of the parties is dissolved” or “The marriage of the parties is invalid” boxes were checked. If one of those boxes does turn out to be checked, then I think she would be treated as pre-deceased, even if the title of the pleading is decree of legal separation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'>My understanding is that if the decree of legal separation provides just that “The petitioner and respondent are legally separated” then the marriage itself isn’t “dissolved, invalidated, or terminated” and the provisions of a prior will, including the gifts and nomination to serve as PR, would still stand.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'>None of the cases on RCW 11.12.051, which are sparse, draw a distinction for the decree of legal separation. The language of the statute seems pretty clear that the marriage must be “dissolved, invalidated, or terminated” and refer only to the decree of dissolution or declaration of invalidity. I think I’m stumbling over whether separated falls under the umbrella of a “terminated” marriage? I’m thinking that it does not and that this is one of the differences between the various decrees.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'>Am I parsing out the distinctions correctly?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'>Tara M. Roberts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'>Puget Sound Law<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'>roberts@pugetsoundlaw.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'>******************************<br>The information contained in this email may be privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of the email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately and delete the original message and any copies you may have. Thank you.<br>******************************<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>