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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">I think it is allowed for someone to claim and prove a committed intimate relationship even after the death of one party, though the dead man's statute would
come into play in terms of evidence that would be admitted. If there is authority to the contrary, I hope someone will post to the list about it. But the case law on committed intimate relationships typically says that it is an equitable remedy, so it is not
really comparable to the actual formal dissolution of a marriage, where the court does lose jurisdiction if one of the parties dies before entry of a decree of dissolution.<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">On the wages issue, I agree that it is certainly the subject of a valid creditor claim, but the claimant is going to have some difficult times on evidentiary
issues. If there are past checks marked "wages," maybe the plaintiff could show a pattern of payments and allege that there was a final paycheck owing immediately before death consistent with those prior payments. But for any large claim going back more than
a month or so, the plaintiff is going to have to come up with some paperwork.<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">Note, though, the dead man's statute only governs testimony by an interested party, in only as to "transactions" with the decedent. If there are disinterested
witnesses, or documentary evidence that does not require oral testimony relating to transactions to authenticate, then there may be some evidence that the plaintiff could get admitted.<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>
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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>Josh Grant<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, October 17, 2017 11:43 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> wsbar trust<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Creditor Claim for "marital like relationship" assets<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black">I think this was dealt with on this list serve.</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black">Caregiver of decedent is claiming that over 20 years, that decedent created a “marital like relationship” and therefore deserves assets from estate. Decedent
gave her a life estate only in a residence. In the alternative caregiver is claiming “wages”. No written agreement.</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black">Is there authority that will easily allow court to dismiss the “marital like relationship” claim because it wasn’t brought before DOD. ??</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black">And the “wages” claim can be brought, but between a lack of writing, checks marked “wages” and the deadman’s statute, I am assuming it is a claim that can be
filed but not successfully in this case.</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black">Josh Grant</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black">Joshua F. Grant, PS<br>
Attorney at Law<br>
P. O. Box 619<br>
Wilbur, WA 99185<br>
tel 509 647 5578<br>
fax 509 647 2734<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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