<div dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><div><div>Melinda, <br><br></div>I did not know that you were involved in the probate in any other capacity. I assumed this was a random letter or request you received, which is why I thought it was odd. I have previously received such requests especially from Florida based creditors for some reason. I would agree with Josh's response if you are in fact involved in the probate in any other capacity (assuming you are representing the PR) as it would obviously be a conflict of interest. I would be hesitant to give any legal advice or directions on how to properly present their claim as it may be an ethical issue for you. The "no" written on top seemed to be a good solution. <br><br></div>Setareh <br></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Mar 22, 2017 at 5:44 PM, Douglas Bratt <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:djbratt@mbavancouverlaw.com" target="_blank">djbratt@mbavancouverlaw.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div link="blue" vlink="purple" lang="EN-US"><div class="m_2960627772194995850m_-5959405477183098797WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Let them know that by the act of your doing something to, essentially, represent the Creditor by the filing of the Creditor’s Claim is an inherent conflict of interest between the creditor and the Personal Representative, and contrary to the ethical rules. In addition, tell them that if you should somehow screw up the filing of the Creditor’s Claim, that might give rise to a malpractice claim against you by the Creditor, and that is another reason why you cannot help them. (Put tongue firmly in cheek at this point.) <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Or, instead of offering any explanation as to why you cannot/will not do them a favor, simply write the word “NO” in big letters on their request letter and throw it into their envelope back to them, without sending their Creditor’s Claim back to them. ( I presume they included postage on their envelope addressed back at them.)<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Hopefully, the letter explaining why you cannot assist them, or the NO letter, discussed above, can go out in the mail about 3 months and 29 days after the first date of publication of the Notice to Creditors. But wait, would not your receipt of the Creditor’s Claim give rise to that creditor attaining the status of a reasonably ascertainable creditor, discovered within the four month period, and deserving of actual notice by the mailing of the Notice to Creditors to them? Does knowledge that you gain of the existence of the creditor attach to the Personal Representative, triggering the “actual notice” portion of the Creditor’s Claim statute? Maybe that is what Jane Bitz was suggesting, below. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Doug Bratt<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:#1f497d">Douglas J. Bratt</span><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:#1f497d">Lawyer</span><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><img id="m_2960627772194995850m_-5959405477183098797Picture_x0020_1" src="?view=att&th=15b028156f780d18&attid=0.1&disp=emb&realattid=a2a23bc0b4ab419b_0.0.1&zw&atsh=1" alt="Envelope scaled Terry" width="165" height="167"></span><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">Office: <a href="tel:(360)%20213-2040" value="+13602132040" target="_blank">(360) 213-2040</a> <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> Fax: <a href="tel:(360)%20213-2030" value="+13602132030" target="_blank">(360) 213-2030</a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message may contain confidential or privileged information. If you have received this message by mistake, please do not review, disclose, copy, or distribute the email. Instead, please notify us immediately by replying to this message or telephoning us. Thank you.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">NOTE:</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#1f497d"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">I do not use encrypted email. Messages sent to or from my office via email are not secure and may not be protected by attorney-client privilege. This email address is not monitored at all times. If your matter is urgent, please phone my office during regular business hours.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></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""> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.<wbr>com</a> [mailto:<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.w<wbr>sbarppt.com</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Jane Bitz<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 22, 2017 5:12 PM<span><br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br></span><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Creditor requesting me to file its cred claim<u></u><u></u></span></p></div></div><div><div class="m_2960627772194995850h5"><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Maybe reply by re-sending the Notice to Creditors?<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Jane Bitz.<a name="m_2960627772194995850_m_-5959405477183098797__MailEndCompose"><u></u><u></u></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><u></u> <u></u></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" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.<wbr>com</a> [<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.w<wbr>sbarppt.com</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Melinda Grout<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 22, 2017 4:52 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Creditor requesting me to file its cred claim<u></u><u></u></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Crazy, huh? Just received Cred Claim with cover letter requesting this office to please file and provide them a conformed copy. Well of course not. I’m inclined to ignore it, but since don’t want to allow any possible argument that they relied on us to do this, would anyone write back and say no? <u></u><u></u></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black">Regards,<br><br>Melinda Grout<br>Law Office of Melinda K Grout, PS<br>17325 W. Main Street / P.O. Box 1360<br>Monroe, WA 98272<br><a href="tel:(360)%20794-4322" value="+13607944322" target="_blank">360-794-4322</a> / Fax: <a href="tel:(425)%20744-6745" value="+14257446745" target="_blank">425-744-6745</a><br><br>Emphasizing Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Law<br><a href="http://mkgroutlaw.com" target="_blank">mkgroutlaw.com</a><br><br>NOTE: <br>1. This office does not accept service of pleadings or process service by e-mail or fax except with the express prior permission of the intended recipient.<br>2. This email address is not monitored at all times. If your matter is urgent, please phone my office.<br>3. Messages sent to or from my office via email are not encrypted and not secure.<br>4. This email may contain confidential material protected by attorney/client privilege, and is intended for use solely by the above referenced recipient. Any review, copying, printing, disclosure, distribution, or other use is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you are not the named recipient, or may have received this email in error, please reply to sender and delete the copy you received. <br>5. This message does not provide any legal advice, or imply an attorney-client relationship, and does not contain the signature of the sender or any other party. You are not a client of this law firm unless you have paid a retainer and signed an attorney/client agreement for representation on a particular matter.<u></u><u></u></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p></div></div></div></div></div><br>______________________________<wbr>_________________<br>
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Thanks! </p><p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Best regards, </span></b></p><p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt"><br></span></b></p><p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Setareh Mahmoodi </span></b></p><p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Attorney at Law </span></b></p><p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">18222 104th Ave NE, Suite 103</span></b></p><p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Bothell, WA 98011</span></b></p><p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Phone: <a href="tel:(425)%20806-1500" value="+14258061500" target="_blank">425-806-1500</a></span></b></p><p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Cell: <a href="tel:(206)%20683-1006" value="+12066831006" target="_blank">206-683-1006</a></span></b></p><p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Fax: <a href="tel:(425)%20489-4142" value="+14254894142" target="_blank">425-489-4142</a> (Please email documents if at all possible) </span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><span style="font-size:10pt">Website: </span></b><span style="font-size:13.3333px"><b><a href="http://www.lawofficesofsm.com/" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr>lawofficesofsm.com/</a></b></span></p><p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt"><br></span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><span style="font-size:10pt">CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:</span></b><span style="font-size:10pt"> This email message and any attachments is a transmission from the law firm and is intended for the </span><span style="font-size:13.3333px">recipient</span><span style="font-size:10pt"> only. 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