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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>A creditor’s claim is only relevant in respect of debts of a decedent. It seems from the facts below that a son was killed, and the claim relates to attempts to get money owing as a consequence of that death. Recovery for wrongful death, and attendant costs, is not decedent’s debt. Without going into whether the attorney attempting to settle such claim for wrongful death is entitled to compensation for his efforts, the claim is not a debt of the decedent and therefore not a proper subject for a creditor’s claim. Any claim post-mortem against the estate – rather than an obligation of the decedent – is neither subject to the 11.40-11.42 claims procedures nor to the 11.40-11.42 limitations periods. If the claim is to be made in equity (e.g., in <i><span style='font-style:italic'>quantum meruit</span></i>), the applicable limitations period, if I recall correctly, would be the general 3-year period. Since the suit would be against the estate, 11.96A would apply.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>My 2 cents. <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>Eric Nelsen<br><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, October 30, 2015 12:39 PM<br><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [WSBAPT] Rejected creditor's claim and sue PR<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="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>I agree, the attorney doesn't have a valid claim against the Estate.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Re procedure, if he intends to pursue it, he needs to file a civil lawsuit against the Estate under a separate case caption. Regrettably, I don't know of any published authority, though.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>See <u>Estate of Berry</u>, 72095-3-I (unpublished, Div. 1, August 10, 2015). Creditor claim was rejected and the creditor timely filed a TEDRA suit under the probate case caption. The Commissioner dismissed based on improper procedure – the suit should have been an ordinary civil suit, and filed under its own caption. (Dismissal under these circumstances meant that the creditor had now missed its 30 day window to file the civil suit.)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>The Court of Appeals reversed, holding that while it is indeed correct for a rejected claimant to file a separate civil action and not a TEDRA action, the creditor had substantially complied with the intent of the statutes despite the procedural error, no prejudice had accrued to the estate, and therefore dismissal was improper as an elevation of form over substance.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Regarding attorney fees, the same case appears to apply the TEDRA discretionary attorney fee statute, at least under those facts. I have personal reservations about the scope of that statute; I find it a little odd that it should be interpreted to – essentially – automatically import a discretionary attorney fee provision into legal actions of any and every kind, simply because one of the parties happens to be the estate of a decedent. But so far, I have not seen case law limiting its application.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Eric<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>1320 University St<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Seattle WA 98101-2837<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><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>Dalynne Singleton<br><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, October 30, 2015 11:41 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> [WSBAPT] Rejected creditor's claim and sue PR<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'>I rejected a creditor’s claim and provided the rejection to the creditor.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The statute says – must sue Administrator within 30 days.<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 color=red face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:red'>My question is this: Would this be a suit filed within the probate in the form of TEDRA? If yes, then fees/costs for defending against creditor would be awarded to the Administrator?</span></font><o:p></o:p></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'>I anticipate this creditor who is an attorney of the decedent’s father to claim fees incurred by the father to attempt to settle on behalf of the deceased son. Problem with claim is father/attorney did not open Estate of deceased son and father was felon so not eligible to serve as Administration. I was hired by mother of deceased son to open probate, appoint her as Administrator and settle wrongful death and tortfeasor claims, which I did. Now father’s attorney wants fees for work he did before Estate was opened – claiming 1/3 of one of the settlements with tortfeasor’s insurer. My argument against claim is (1) he did not represent Estate and did not have authority to make claim/settle; (2) his fees should be paid by his client, father. His client was not the Estate. This attorney has created more work in the Estate defending his claims, which the mother has been paying my fees.<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'>My research says he did not incur fees on behalf of the Estate so they should not be paid by the Estate.<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 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=4 color="#660033" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#660033;font-weight:bold'>Dalynne Singleton</span></font></b><b><font size=4 color="#1f497d"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D;font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><img border=0 width=220 height=151 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D1132B.98BBA1D0" alt="SingletonLawGD27aR04aP02ZL-Johnson4a_mdm"></span></font><font size=3 color="#660033" face=Californian><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Californian;color:#660033'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color="#660033" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#660033'>3215 NW Lowell Street, #161<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color="#660033" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#660033'>Silverdale, WA 98383<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color="#660033" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#660033'>Phone: 360-329-4079<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color="#660033" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#660033'>Fax: 360-443-1259<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color="#660033" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#660033'>E-mail: <a href="mailto:dalynne@singletonlawgroup.net"><font color="#660033"><span style='color:#660033'>dalynne@singletonlawgroup.net</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color="#660033" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#660033'>Web: <a href="http://www.singletonlawgroup.net/"><font color="#660033"><span style='color:#660033'>www.singletonlawgroup.net</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><b><i><font size=4 color="#660033" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#660033;font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 color="#660033" face=Californian><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Californian;color:#660033;font-style:italic'>LICENSED IN WASHINGTON AND OREGON</span></font></i><font size=3 color="#660033" face=Californian><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Californian;color:#660033'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#660033" face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#660033'>IMPORTANT/CONFIDENTIAL: This e-mail message (and any attachments accompanying it) may contain confidential information, including information protected by attorney-client privilege. 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