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<p class="MsoPlainText">I agree with Geoff assuming the "separation" was just an informal separation pending divorce, and not an actual completed "legal separation" where a Decree of Separation was entered; see
<a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.09&full=true#26.09.030">RCW 26.09.030(d)</a>, and
<a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.09&full=true#26.09.050">RCW 26.09.050(1)</a>. If the Decree separating the parties was entered, then the action is not a nullity and the Decree of Separation should be reviewed, to determine if it has
any provisions altering statutory rights as surviving spouse.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">If the Decree doesn't have anything altering spousal rights, then its main effect is probably the elimination of any possible community property. The spouse, though separated, is still a "surviving spouse" for purposes of the probate
statutes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Eric<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Please Note that We Have Moved. We have moved our Seattle office to Mount Baker Ridge (a small commercial community just above the I-90 tunnel). Our new address is 1417 31st Avenue South, Seattle WA 98144. All other contact information
remains the same.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">-----Original Message-----<br>
From: wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of Marcus Fry<br>
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2016 4:06 PM<br>
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Legal separation in probate</p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Geoff:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">I would be interested in the case law.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Thank you,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Marcus J. Fry<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Lyon, Weigand & Gustafson, P.S. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">-----Original Message-----<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">From: <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">
<span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</span></a> [<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</span></a>] On
Behalf Of G. Geoffrey Gibbs<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2016 3:55 PM<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Legal separation in probate<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">If the dissolution was initiated but not completed prior to the death of one spouse, as a legal action it is a nullity and the surviving spouse is just that for probate purposes. I have case law somewhere if you need it.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">G. Geoffrey Gibbs | Anderson Hunter Law Firm<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">2707 Colby Avenue | Everett, WA 98201<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Phone: (425) 252-5161 | Fax: (425) 258-3345 <a href="mailto:ggibbs@andersonhunterlaw.com">
<span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">ggibbs@andersonhunterlaw.com</span></a> /
<a href="http://www.andersonhunterlaw.com"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">www.andersonhunterlaw.com</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">This email message may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized use is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">-----Original Message-----<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">From: <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">
<span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</span></a> [<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</span></a>] On
Behalf Of Jennifer Sohn<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2016 3:42 PM<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">To: <a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Subject: [WSBAPT] Legal separation in probate<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Hi, does legal separation mean anything in probate? There was no dissolution but the clients were legally separated. Does the surviving spouse still have authority as a survivng spouse?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Jennifer Sohn<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">206.617.7874<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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