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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D">Having recently tried to disentangle the status of a community debt still outstanding more than 2 years after death of the first spouse, here's my thought: Probate of the first spouse to die
has jurisdiction over the entirety of community asset and community liabilities. Community liability must be addressed in first spouse's probate, or it is barred.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D">Briefing:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D">The death of a spouse terminates the marital relationship and the "marital community."
<u>Bank of Montreal v. Buchanan</u>, 32 Wn. 480, 73 P. 482 (1903); see also <u>Washington State Bar Assn. Community Property Deskbook</u> (4th ed. 2014) (hereinafter "CP Deskbook"), Sec. 4.11. At death of the first spouse, the community "ceases to exist."
<u>Sutton v. Hirvonen</u>, 113 Wn.2d 1, 6, 775 P.2d 448 (1989). The first deceased spouse's Estate accordingly has jurisdiction over all community property and community liability, not just the decedent's half, in order to dispose of all community matters.
<u>Ruth v. Dight</u>, 75 Wn.2d 660, 670, 453 P.2d 631 (1969) (claim against the community cannot be pursued against surviving spouse if not also properly brought against the deceased spouse's estate);
<u>Gilliam v. City of Centralia</u>, 14 Wn.2d 523, 531, 128 P.2d 661 (1942) (deceased spouse's Personal Representative, not the surviving spouse, has authority to pursue a community claim);
<u>Magee v. Big Bend Land Co.</u>, 51 Wash. 406, 408, 99 P. 16 (1909) (administration of first spouse's estate had jurisdiction and authority to sell the entire community real property). See also
<u>CP Deskbook</u>, Sec. 4.13.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D">That said, I presented this argument in a summary judgment matter and the court didn't follow it. The procedural stance was complicated and not as straightforward as addressing a community liability,
however, so past ruling is not necessarily an indication of future results.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:red">Please Note that We Have Moved.</span></b><b><span style="color:#1F497D">
</span></b><span style="color:#1F497D">We have moved our Seattle office to Mount Baker Ridge (a small commercial community just above the I-90 tunnel).
<b>Our new address is 1417 31st Avenue South, Seattle WA 98144. </b>All other contact information remains the same.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;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>Kristina devore<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, February 03, 2017 11:53 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Is SS liable on note that decedent co-signed on?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Listmates,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">H passed two years ago. H had co-signed on his son’s student loan. W (step-mother of son and married to H at time he co-signed) did not co-sign on loan. No probate necessary when H passed
as all property was community and there was a CPA in place. Also, did not do a non-probate notice to creditors. W is concerned that step son will default on loan and wants to know if she will be liable to pay.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">I’m thinking that since it has been over two years since H died that a creditor is barred from collecting the debt from H’s estate. Is this correct? Any thoughts?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Thanks in advance,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Kristina <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#006F37">Kristina S. DeVore | Attorney & Counselor at Law</span><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#006F37">KRISTINA DEVORE LAW FIRM, pllc | 201 NE Park Plaza Dr., Ste., 290 | Vancouver, WA 98684</span><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#006F37">Phone: (360) 695-0535 | Fax (360) 737-4154 |
<a href="mailto:Kristina@devore-law.com">Kristina@devore-law.com</a></span><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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