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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Krista--I haven't dealt with this exact situation but the issue is similar as in any civil litigation where there is a parallel/related criminal proceeding.
I think, if the PR wanted to, you could proceed with a TEDRA action (relief requested: Finding that defendant is a slayer and disinherited under the statute) and do normal civil discovery alleging that the defendant is a slayer under the statute.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">In a civil action, the defendant can still take the 5th to avoid testifying, but the finder of fact is permitted to make a negative inference from that. It
puts a criminal defendant in a real bind--can end up with civil liability even if acquitted. There is no stay on civil proceedings just because a criminal case is underway.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">On the other hand, why go to the expense when the State is probably going to do all the work anyway. If convicted or even if he ultimately enters an Alford
plea (denies guilt but concedes the jury has sufficient facts to likely find him guilty), the preponderance standard is met automatically. And if the prosecutor ultimately dismisses, you can still proceed later with the civil action and do the work then.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">I think ultimately it's a question of how fast the PR wants to move. If he waives speedy trial (virtually certain in a murder case), it could take a year to
get to trial, and the TEDRA action might wrap up faster than that--but it's more expense. Time or money--which one does the PR want to spend?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">1320 University St<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Seattle WA 98101-2837<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";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>Krista MacLaren<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 30, 2015 10:17 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Solo and Small Practice Section; wsba probate & trust<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] slayer statute / preponderance of evidence<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hi Good People,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I am working on a probate in which the decedent was allegedly killed by the main beneficiary under her will. I am trying to figure out how to get the probate court to conclude he is a slayer under the statute. But the murder only took
place in July and he has only recently been arraigned and plead not guilty. I thought maybe if I could learn on what basis he was arrested and charged, that would be sufficient for the probate court to determine by a preponderance of the evidence that he
is a slayer. I submitted a public records request to the king county sheriff, and they have said that records in open and active cases cannot be released. Will I have to just hold the probate open for eternity until he is either convicted or the case is
not open or active, in order to determine who receives decedent's funds? We actually have not even opened the probate yet, so the passing of several months isn't a big deal. I had hoped to address the issue of the beneficiary when opening the probate in
a noticed hearing. I would love to hear from anyone who has seen the slayer statute play out in real life before. Suggestions welcome!<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black">Krista J. MacLaren<br>
Attorney at Law<br>
Northgate Executive Center II<br>
9725 3rd Ave NE, Suite 600<br>
Seattle, WA 98115<br>
(206)523-6116<br>
<a href="mailto:kjm.inc@mac.com">kjm.inc@mac.com</a><br>
<br>
Please note, as with most email providers, Mac does not encrypt email messages. Accordingly, the confidentiality of messages sent to this address cannot be assured. This e-mail is intended for viewing only by the individual or entity to whom its content is
addressed, and it may contain confidential or privileged information. If you received this email in error, please honor the privacy of the intended recipient: reply to the sender regarding the error and delete the message. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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