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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>I’m having trouble reconciling the effect of the language of the TODD statute when only one spouse executes a transfer on death deed for community property.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RCW 64.80.100(4)(a) says that if the property is community property and the transferor is married and is not joined in the deed by the spouse, then the transferor’s interest in the property is transferred to the designated beneficiary upon the transferor’s death.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This seems to contradict the provisions of RCW 26.16.030 that prohibits one spouse from conveying an interest in community property without the other spouse joining in the execution of the deed. I’m more death than dirt or domestic, so maybe I’m missing something. Is it because the TODD is a “transfer” effective upon the death and the transferor is not “conveying” or “giving” the community property?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>What if the couple has a traditional 3-prong Community Property Agreement? Does the TODD or the CPA control the disposition of the first-to-die spouse’s interest?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Can a rogue spouse that completes a TODD on their own override the surviving spouse’s right to the community property under the CPA?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RCW 64.80.100 seems to give the spouse greater protection if they join in the deed under (4)(b), than if they don’t.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This doesn’t make sense to me. Can anyone shed some light on this?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tara M. Roberts<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Puget Sound Law pllc<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:roberts@pugetsoundlaw.com">roberts@pugetsoundlaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span lang=X-NONE style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif'>******************************<br>The information contained in this email is intended as a collegial exchange of ideas, may be incorrect, and is made without warranty of accuracy of any kind. The ideas and opinions expressed in this message are offered as unresearched thoughts, may be retracted or changed without notice, and do not create any attorney-client relationship. They should not be relied upon as applicable to any particular fact situation. Thank you.<br>******************************</span><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>