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<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">I’ve been scratching my head over the same issue. I looked at the case law dealing with wills, and found a dubious distinction between revocation (which can be done in almost any manner) and a
bequest (which must be done with the formalities of a will), which becomes an almost unworkable doctrine as soon as you recognize that the revocation of someone’s bequest necessarily increases someone else’s (cf
<I>Malloy, </I>134 Wa2nd 316 (1998). But now I’m thinking that between RCW 11.103.030(3)(a) and language in the trust almost identical to that which Marilyn is dealing with, I’m probably barking up the wrong tree entirely. Anyone think that case law has any
relevance at all to a RLT?<O:P/></SPAN></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><O:P> </O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">So to Sam’s analysis, I don’t think RLT-as-a-will-substitute gets us very far at all. On the other hand I think his analysis of the statutes and trust language is right on and that alterations
on the face of the trust document are enforceable, at least to the extent there is no dispute that the alterations were made by the trustor.
<O:P/></SPAN></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><O:P> </O:P></SPAN></P>
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<DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal"><B><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black">________________________________________<O:P/></SPAN></B></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><B><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black">THOMAS M. CULBERTSON
</SPAN></B><B><SPAN style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"> </SPAN></B><SPAN style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black">I
</SPAN><SPAN style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"> Lukins & Annis, PS<O:P/></SPAN></P>
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<DIV>
<DIV style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<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>Paul H. Grant<BR/>
<B>Sent:</B> Thursday, July 30, 2015 6:50 PM<BR/>
<B>To:</B> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<BR/>
<B>Subject:</B> Re: [WSBAPT] trust amendment<O:P/></SPAN></P>
</DIV>
</DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal"><O:P> </O:P></P>
<DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal">I don't disagree with you Sam, looking only at the statute it requires the trust to be followed and if the trust is silent as to revocation or amendment then it is treated as a codicil. As with every case, who is complaining and who will
challenge if the trustee adheres to the changes. Maybe all the beneficiaries want the changes. <O:P/></P>
</DIV>
<DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal"><O:P> </O:P></P>
</DIV>
<DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal">I was (simplistically) only pointing the question to what I thought was the applicable statute with an uninformed opinion to boot.<BR/>
<BR/>
Sent from my iPhone ~ Paul H. Grant<O:P/></P>
</DIV>
<DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><BR/>
On Jul 30, 2015, at 12:55 PM, Sam Furgason <<A href="mailto:sam@furgasons.com">sam@furgasons.com</A>> wrote:<O:P/></P>
</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Paul,</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">I wouldn’t be too sure about the unenforceability. Living trusts have been looked at as will substitutes, so some of the doctrines of will interpretation might apply. I think the trustor,
who was also the trustee at the time, has complied with the trust’s requirement of delivery to the trustee since s/he is the trustee, and with the requirement for writing by amending the trust on its face. S/he should not be required to agree with herself/himself
by written acceptance; a court could be guided by the oft-repeated maxim, now set out in RCW 11.12.230, that the decedent’s intent should be honored. The modification of the trust could be considered “</SPAN><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">substantial
compliance with a method provided in the terms of the trust” (RCW 11.103.030(3)(a). Analogously, Washington courts have held that minor strike-outs on wills do not amount to revocation of the will, and should be considered partial revocations only, with the
rest of the instrument being enforceable. I think I’d want some court guidance on this, or at least written agreement by all affected parties, before carrying out distributions.
</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">My thoughts.</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Samuel L. Furgason</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Samuel L. Furgason, Inc, PS</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">(Not accepting new business)</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">10655 N.E. 4<SUP>th</SUP> Street, Suite 701</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Bellevue, Washington 98004</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">MAIL TO:</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">PO Box 102</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Medina, WA 98039-0102</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Work: (425) 649-1122</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Cell: (425) 445-9909</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Email:
<A href="mailto:sam@furgasons.com">sam@furgasons.com</A></SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><B><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","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>On Behalf Of </B>Paul Grant<BR/>
<B>Sent:</B> Thursday, July 30, 2015 10:43 AM<BR/>
<B>To:</B> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<A href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</A>><BR/>
<B>Subject:</B> Re: [WSBAPT] trust amendment</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"> <O:P/></P>
<DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal">see rcw 11.103.030 - in essence the trust rules the day. Notes on the trust are not amendments unless the trust specifies they are accepted. With the information provided I would say the notes are unenforceable. <O:P/></P>
</DIV>
<DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal"><BR clear="all"/>
<O:P/></P>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal"><BR/>
Paul H. Grant - JD, LL.M<BR/>
<BR/>
Planning with Purpose, Inc<BR/>
Lynnwood, WA 98036<BR/>
425-939-9948<BR/>
<A href="http://www.planningwithpurposeinc.com" target="_blank">www.planningwithpurposeinc.com</A><BR/>
<BR/>
Estate Planning. Business Planning. Wealth Succession.<O:P/></P>
</DIV>
</DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal"> <O:P/></P>
<DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal">On Wed, Jul 29, 2015 at 12:34 PM, Marilyn J Kliman <<A href="mailto:marilyn@marilynjklimanlaw.com" target="_blank">marilyn@marilynjklimanlaw.com</A>> wrote:<O:P/></P>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Listmates –
</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Client is Trustee of decedent’s RLT.
</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Trust document states that settlor “…may at any time …amend any of the terms of this trust by a written document delivered to the
trustee.” Decedent (as settlor/trustee) made multiple handwritten edits on the trust document over the years. There are no dates, signatures or notarization, none of which, obviously, are required by terms of the trust.</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">My question is, are these unenforceable amendments, or valid if proven to be in decedent’s handwriting?</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">(Apologies to folks on both listserves)</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Thank you,</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Marilyn</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><SPAN style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> </SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><B><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">Marilyn J. Kliman, Attorney at Law</SPAN></B><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">Marilyn J. Kliman Law, PLLC</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">510 Bell Street</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white">Edmonds, WA 98020</SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"><A href="tel:206.499.0993" target="_blank">206.499.0993</A></SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"><A href="mailto:Marilyn@MarilynJKlimanLaw.com" target="_blank">Marilyn@MarilynJKlimanLaw.com</A></SPAN><O:P/></P>
<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:white"><A href="http://www.marilynjklimanlaw.com/" target="_blank">www.MarilynJKlimanLaw.com</A></SPAN><O:P/></P>
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<P class="MsoNormal"><SPAN style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333;background:white">“<B>Those who lack humor are without judgment and should be trusted with nothing.”
</B></SPAN><I><SPAN style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333"> Clive James</SPAN></I><O:P/></P>
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