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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>There are arguments which can be made that the widow has an interest in at least some of the trust corpus. For example, did H comingle community property with his separate property by placing his earnings or other community funds into a trust owned bank account? If so, W2 could argue that the entire account was a community asset, owned ½ by her. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Another argument is that the trust was a will substitute, and therefore she is an omitted spouse as to all property held in the survivor’s trust. Washington law is increasingly treating living trusts as comparable to wills, and some trust instruments specify that Washington’s laws regarding wills be used in interpreting the provisions of the agreement. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>(If the trust instrument divided the original trust upon W1’s death – as is commonly provided – then W2 would have no claim on W1’s sub-trust, but H’s share might be treated as a will substitute and W2 treated as an omitted spouse.)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Remember, probate courts sit in equity, not at law, so equitable remedies should be available on what might appear at first to be a contract law issue. (After the U.S. S. Ct. decided that state laws regarding revocation on divorce did not apply to ERISA, permitting plans to distribute to divorced spouses still named as beneficiaries, attorneys were able to mount successful collateral attacks by getting state courts to enter judgments against the named-divorced beneficiaries on the principle of unjust enrichment.) <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>A position posited on the basis of some equitable remedy might serve as a negotiating point for W2. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>S <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Tom J. Westbrook<br><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, May 06, 2015 7:46 AM<br><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [WSBAPT] Omitted Spouse and Living Trust<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>The Trust document controls the distribution of the Trust assets. Upon H’s death it became irrevocable. Look closely to see what it says about distribution of assets upon death of last Trustor to die. That is your answer. If H’s assets go to specific beneficiaries that are not W, then she takes nothing. If H’s assets go to his heirs by representation, then you might have something in your favor. W is not an omitted spouse of the Trust – she was not a party to the Trust and not a spouse at the time it was created. That’s my 2 cents anyway…………..<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>Tom<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>Thomas J. Westbrook<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>Attorney at Law<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#44546A'><img width=170 height=67 id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D087F1.F8211490" alt="cid:image001.jpg@01CFC835.0D3988D0"></span></font><font color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>Rodgers, Kee & Card<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>324 West Bay Drive NW, Suite 201<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>Olympia, Washington 98502<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>Phone: 360-352-8311<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>Facsimile: 360-352-8501<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>Email: <a href="mailto:tjw@buddbaylaw.com">tjw@buddbaylaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>Skype: thomas.westbrook<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'><a href="http://www.buddbaylaw.com">www.buddbaylaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'>The information contained in this email and attachment(s) are for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain private, privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the addressee, you are strictly prohibited from reading, photocopying, distributing or otherwise using this email or its contents in any way. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone at 360-352-8311 or by e-mail to <a href="mailto:reception@buddbaylaw.com">reception@buddbaylaw.com</a>, and destroy the original message from your electronic files.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#44546a" face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> [<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Mike Jacobs<br><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, May 05, 2015 7:17 PM<br><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><br><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [WSBAPT] Omitted Spouse and Living Trust<o:p></o:p></span></font></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Listmates, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>H&W enter into Revocable Living Trust and Pour Over Will. W dies and H eventually remarries. He does not change his estate plan. H dies and new W is an Omitted Spouse. Does the Omitted Spouse statute allow an omitted spouse to claim an interest in the trust assets? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-weight:bold'>Michael P. Jacobs<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Riach Gese Law Firm<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>T: 425-776-3191<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>F: 425-775-0406<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><a href="http://www.riachgese.com/">http://www.riachgese.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>RIACH GESE LAW FIRM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>7331 196th St SW<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>P.O. Box 1067<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Lynnwood, WA 98046<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>REPRESENTING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1959<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Consolas><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Consolas'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Consolas><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Consolas'>Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message may contain confidential or privileged information. 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