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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I'm not sure I follow the scenario, but I'm guessing:<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">T and ex-spouse had two sons. First son predeceased T without issue. Second son did in fact survive T long enough to inherit but died shortly thereafter. So, it's really the son's Estate distribution we are talking
about now: and the son's sole heir by intestacy is his surviving parent, T's ex-spouse. Son has no living issue so parents inherit.
<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">If that's the case, then it is what it is and ex-spouse inherits. The problem is the Will that contains "if son survives" language but didn't specify a long enough time period for survival to make it emotionally
"valid" that the son did in fact survive to inherit T's estate.<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">Possible avenues to challenge:<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">Does language of the Will clearly avoid the 120-hour survival requirement under RCW 11.05A -- see .060(2). If in fact the son died within 120 hours such that it might make a difference.<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">Can you make an argument under the totality of the Will provisions that the intent of the Testator -- T -- would be to prefer intestacy to T's heirs, as opposed to intestacy as to T's son's heirs. This is really
only feasible if the Will language is sufficiently ambiguous.<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">Other than that, I got nothin'.<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>
<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>Matt Johnson<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, July 20, 2015 3:09 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] X-Spouse as unintended direct beneficiary<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The situation:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Divorced T died leaving entire estate two T’s two sons on the conditioned that they survive T. If either son predeceased T without issue, that son’s gift shall lapse and all interest shall go to the surviving son.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One son technically survived T, but died intestate shortly thereafter with no issue and no spouse. The result is T’s x-spouse is now substituted in the deceased son’s place as the sole beneficiary of his estate. The language of T’s will
strongly indicates no intention to give anything to T’s x-spouse, and although x-spouse is not technically a direct beneficiary that is the reality of the situation.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Question: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I can’t seem to find any authority in any state directly on point. If anyone has come across a similar situation or could point me in a direction, I would greatly appreciate it.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Regards,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="color:#1F497D">Matthew R. Johnson|</span></b><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D"> </span><span style="color:#1F497D">Attorney at Law</span></b><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:#1F497D">Gravis Law, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:#1F497D">P.O. Box 182 | 350 E. Main St.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:#1F497D">Dayton, WA 99328</span><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:#1F497D">509-382-2030 (office)<br>
509-952-2947 (cell)</span><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><u><span style="color:#0563C1"><a href="https://www.gravislaw.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Website </span></a></span></u><span style="color:#1F497D">- <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pub/matthew-r-johnson/2b/997/87a" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></span><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:#1F497D"> </span><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:#1F497D">NOTICE: This email (including any attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (EPCA), 18 U.S.C., Sec. 2510 - 2522, is confidential and privileged. This email
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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