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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'>I’m of the same mind as John on this……..and what do you mean by an insurance policy covering the real property? Was it insurance to pay off a mortgage? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'>In any case, unless the property is owned as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, you will still need to probate to get Mom’s name off the property. And since there is real estate involved, you can’t use the small estate affidavit. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'>Tom<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'>Thomas J. Westbrook<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'>Attorney at Law<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#44546A'><img width=170 height=67 id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D13A52.FAA3C0A0" alt="cid:image001.jpg@01CFC835.0D3988D0"></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'>Rodgers, Kee & Card<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><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></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'>Olympia, Washington 98502<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'>Phone: 360-352-8311<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'>Facsimile: 360-352-8501<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'>Email: tjw@buddbaylaw.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'>Skype: thomas.westbrook<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'>www.buddbaylaw.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><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"><span style='color:blue'>reception@buddbaylaw.com</span></a>, and destroy the original message from your electronic files.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><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>John Creahan<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, December 18, 2015 6:00 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Insurance check issued to deceased person<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#595959'>Hi,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#595959'>I’m curious what the heirs plan to do with the real property. Is the property in mom’s name, or was it a joint tenancy property? Is mom the named insured on the insurance policy? Has the property’s use changed?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#595959'>Unless it was joint tenancy, it seems like the heirs are going to have to open a probate eventually, and it may make sense to do it now. You could potentially open it and close it the same day, after cashing the check and recording the deed. Is the check large enough to cover the probate costs?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#595959'>My $.02.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#595959'>John<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#595959'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Tw Cen MT","sans-serif";color:#595959'>John Creahan</span><span style='font-family:"Tw Cen MT","sans-serif";color:#595959'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Tw Cen MT","sans-serif";color:#595959'>206-621-5848<br><a href="http://www.cairn-law.com/"><span style='color:#595959'>www.cairn-law.com</span></a></span><span style='font-family:"Tw Cen MT","sans-serif";color:#4F6228'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#595959'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#595959'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><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>Jennifer Johnson<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, December 18, 2015 4:48 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Insurance check issued to deceased person<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Good afternoon,<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Client recently received a check from an insurance company that was issued to the estate of her deceased mother. Her mom passed away four years ago and left a piece of real property and an insurance policy covering the real property, neither of which were ever transferred by the heirs. She took the check to the bank and, not surprisingly, the bank wants letters testamentary, an EIN for the estate, etc. Also not surprisingly, client does not want to probate.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I am wondering if, provided that mom’s estate qualifies, the small estate affidavit might be used to get the bank to either cash the check or let client deposit it? Or to get the insurance company to reissue a check to the successor instead of the estate? Or perhaps there is a simpler solution that my Friday afternoon brain isn’t thinking of?<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I appreciate any advice or experience you all may have.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Jennifer<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Jennifer Johnson | Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Hanigan Law Office, PS<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>PO Box 39 - 68 Main Street<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Cathlamet, WA 98612<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>(360) 795-3494<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>(360) 795-3001 (f)<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red'>CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: </span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue'>THIS EMAIL IS INTENDED TO BE A CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION. </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue'>IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT OF THIS EMAIL, PLEASE DO NOT READ OR PRINT IT. </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:navy'>This transmission is intended for the sole use of the individual and entity to whom it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. You are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or duplication of this transmission by someone other than the intended addressee or its designated agent is strictly prohibited. If your receipt of this transmission is in error, please notify the sender immediately by calling 360.795.3494, or by reply to this transmission, and then permanently delete the message.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:navy'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red'>DISCLAIMER NOTICE: </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:navy'>Email communication on the internet is NOT secure. 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