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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">If there's a competence issue re the drug-addicted son, I might open a probate and get a settlement GAL appointed; if the son has any ability to claim he was
disabled at time of settlement, perhaps there's a risk he could sue PC for a greater share? Maybe that's a small risk, depending on your other facts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Other thoughts: Are you absolutely sure those two are the only heirs of decedent? Having an adjudication of heirship under
<a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.28&full=true#11.28.330">RCW 11.28.330</a> might be cheaper than probate and confirm that the two kids are the sole heirs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Settlement should advise the kids that PC is relying on them to confirm that girlfriend has no debts, or that all girlfriend's debts have been paid or provided
for, and they agree to indemnify PC from any debts and liabilities of decedent. Even if DOD was more than 2 years ago (which bars most claims), I was recently reminded that the Feds aren't bound by the 2-year bar, and federal income tax liability, among other
federal liabilities, persists.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Given that PC is not an heir, but simply a person who is stuck holding some assets belonging to the decedent, I don't think PC has any direct duty to a creditor
of decedent, or even to other possible heirs of decedent. For example, I think PC could insist that he'll only turn over the money to a PR of decedent's estate, and if one doesn't happen in a timely fashion, he could turn over the funds to DOR Unclaimed Property.
I'm not advocating for that, but I think it illustrates the limits of PC's potential liability.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:red">Please Note that We Have Moved.</span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";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;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";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>J Richard McEntee, Jr.<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, April 26, 2017 11:55 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Non-probate payment to heirs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hello - <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I am hoping to get some guidance on a situation with a potential client. PC and girlfriend purchased a home together. She had no credit so could not obtain a loan. PC obtained loan and together PC and girlfriend made the downpayment. Home
was titled in PC’s name. PC and girlfriend spent equal amounts to remodel and upgrade the home. Their verbal agreement was that they would be equal owners/partners in the home. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Ultimately, girlfriend’s drug addicted son moved into the home with PC and girlfriend. Son was to get treatment. He never received treatment and did not move out. This caused the demise of the couple’s relationship.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Shortly after the relationship ended, girlfriend became terminally ill. She reached out to PC for help and he provided assistance to now ex-girlfriend. After a short period of time girlfriend passed away. She had no will and no real assets
but for a life insurance policy that paid to her two children. No probate or administration was filed.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Subsequently, PC sold the home (last November) at a net profit of about 250K. PC has been in discussion with girlfriend’s daughter to pay girlfriend’s share to her two children, less some expenses paid by PC related to girlfriend’s last
illness. The son is still heavily drug addicted. The daughter and PC have agreed to what would be a fair settlement of the matter. It is in the neighborhood of 50K to each child.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">My key questions are should this be settled via a probate proceeding? In light of this situation, would probate protect the PC? Or since the children are the only heirs can PC simply pay the money to the children in exchange for settlement
and releases? If so, are their key provisions that should be included in the releases? i.e. that children agree to hold PC harmless from any unknown claims against the mother? <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you in advance for your thoughts and advice.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Rich<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><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"><b><u><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Copperplate Gothic Bold","serif";color:black">RICH McENTEE</span></u></b><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"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Copperplate Gothic Bold","serif";color:black">McENTEE LAW OFFICE</span></b><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:"Copperplate","serif";color:black">3800 Bridgeport Way W, Ste A411</span><span style="font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Copperplate","serif";color:black">University Place, WA 98466</span><span style="font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Copperplate","serif";color:black">253.227.9894(m)</span><span style="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:"Copperplate","serif";color:black"><a href="mailto:jrmcentee@gmail.com">jrmcentee@gmail.com</a></span><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"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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