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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I recently probated a couple of estates that involved legal separations.<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'>The parties legally separated, but the Decree of Separation did not contain any provision that the marriage had been dissolved, invalidated, or terminated, just a division of property and debts, separation of the individuals to different residences, and name changes. No motion had been filed by either party to convert the decree of legal separation to a decree of dissolution (RCW 26.09.150).<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'>Therefore, the surviving spouse remained the spouse for inheritance purposes.<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'>In one of my cases, we had a confirming codicil executed after the separation to acknowledge the separation and confirm continued appointment as PR and as heir, which made things easier. But the other was an intestate administration, surviving spouse applied and was appointed as PR and inherited typical intestate share.<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'>I included a recitation of all the facts about the status of the marriage and a clear finding of heirship in the petition and orders for probate, including incorporation by reference of the Decree of Separation (both were King County, same as probates) and a working copy for the judge. The only comment from Commissioners has been “interesting facts” as they hand back the Orders.<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'>The community property agreement creates an interesting twist. Check the decree to see of the community property agreement was revoked. Or if the community property agreement has an automatic revocation provision. Are there facts related to the separation to support a revocation of the community property agreement by the actions of both parties? The well-crafted Decree of Separation should deal with community property versus separate property and the hopefully the agreement. Do-it-yourself pro se drafted decree may create another research project.<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'>A revocation of the community property agreement may change the allocation of assets and what is distributable to the surviving spouse. Surviving spouse will get 100% of the community property and either 50% or 75% of the separate property, depending on whether there are issue of the decedent surviving.<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'>But if the marriage wasn’t terminated, then you still have a Surviving Spouse that will get something.<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'>T</span><span style='color:#1F497D'>ara M. Roberts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Puget Sound Law pllc<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:roberts@pugetsoundlaw.com"><span style='color:blue'>roberts@pugetsoundlaw.com</span></a><span style='color:#1F497D'><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'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><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='color:#1F497D'><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'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Bickel, Dwight<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, May 3, 2017 3:17 PM<br><b>To:</b> wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com<br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Effect of Decree of Separation on Intestate Succession<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It is unsettling to discover that you may have been wrong about something for decades. Hopefully, one of you can respond confirming the correct answer. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Community property, clearly created by recorded CPA.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Then a Decree of Legal Separation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The relevant real property is vested to one spouse as separate, with only a lien given to the other spouse for specific payment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Vested spouse dies, intestate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My research today leads me to conclude that the non-vested spouse is a surviving spouse entitled to inherit the property. That is not the answer I expected. The other heirs of vested spouse aren’t going to like that. Can anyone confirm that is correct, or refer me to authority.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><hr size=1 width="100%" noshade style='color:black' align=center></span></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>NOTICE: The information contained in this message is proprietary and/or confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, you are hereby notified to: (i) delete the message and all copies; (ii) do not disclose, distribute or use the message in any manner; and (iii) notify the sender immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>