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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I just gnawed on the issue of competing probates in an appeal. Typically the primary probate is in the state of domicile, which is not necessarily state of residence, especially for someone who is in the military
and posted in a particular place. The primary probate of a will generally lies with the court of the state and county in which the decedent was domiciled.
<u>In Re Estate of Tolson</u>, 89 Wn.App. 21, 31, 947 P.2d 1242 (1997) (citing <u>
In re Estate of Stein</u>, 78 Wn.App. 251, 261, 896 P.2d 740 (1995)).<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">"'Residence' indicates where a person lives while 'domicile' signifies the place where a person intends a fixed and permanent home."
<u>Tolson</u>, 89 Wn.App. at 36.<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">RCW 11.96A.040 confirms the Court
<u>can</u> take jurisdiction, but the Court has discretion to <u>refuse</u> jurisdiction if there is a competing probate in another state that can handle the matter just as well.<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">Ancillary probate may lie in any state in which the property of the decedent has a situs.
<u>Id</u>. at 31 (citing <u>Hatch v. United States</u>, 29 F.2d 213 (N.D.N.Y. 1928)). Ancillary probate is unnecessary when the only asset within that state is a cause of action that the
<u>domiciliary</u> personal representative is capable of pursuing directly. See <u>
Estate of Ludwig</u>, below.<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 question here is whether or not a Washington probate is necessary to administer any assets in Washington. A wrongful death action by itself doesn't require a WA probate.
<u>In re Estate of Ludwig</u>, 49 Wn.2d 312, 301 P.2d 158 (1956). That case holds that if the
<u>only</u> asset in WA is a wrongful death action, and therefore the Estate essentially has no assets (because WD benefits belong to the statutory beneficiaries, not the Estate), then there is no need for a Washington probate and an out-of-state PR can pursue
the wrongful death action in Washington courts directly.<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">Keep in mind that if there is also a viable personal injury survivorship action in addition to the WD action, technically there may be some right of reimbursement to the
<u>Estate</u> for medical expenses or other special damages of the decedent (decedent's general damages are not estate assets but go to the WD beneficiaries, per RCW 4.20.046(1). Also, if he was stationed here, maybe he has a WA bank account or personal belongings
or other assets that might require WA probate. But if all assets can be handled by a CA-appointed PR, then the WA courts are allowed to refuse to accept jurisdiction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="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>Dalynne Singleton<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, October 24, 2017 10:38 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Probate Wrongful Death of servicemember<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">I have a new probate opened in WA on behalf of a deceased JBLM servicemember. He was residing in WA at the time of his death in a MVA which occurred in Washington. His
death certificate states his residence at JBLM. I read the statute (below) to indicate the probate needed to be opened in WA and appoint an Administrator with me to serve as Resident Agent for the wrongful death settlement to be handled. A CA attorney was
hired by the father to negotiate the WD of his son. I opened the probate and the father was appointed (resident of CA) and now says he doesn’t want to sign Oath so no letters issued.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">A California attorney called and said he is going to open the probate in CA and appoint the brother and handle the WD.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:red">Must be a determinative answer to where the probate should be opened and not a rush to the courthouse to see who can get Letters issued.</span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:3.75pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:3.75pt;margin-left:0in">
<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">RCW 11.96A.040<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:3.75pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:3.75pt;margin-left:0in">
<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Original jurisdiction in probate and trust matters—Powers of court.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.25in">(1) The superior court of every county has original subject matter jurisdiction over the probate of wills and the administration of estates of incapacitated, missing, and deceased individuals in all instances,
including without limitation:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.25in"><b><span style="color:red">(a) When a resident of the state dies;<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.25in"><b><span style="color:red">(b) When a nonresident of the state dies in the state; or</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.25in">(c) When a nonresident of the state dies outside the state.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.25in">(2) The superior court of every county has original subject matter jurisdiction over trusts and all matters relating to trusts.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.25in">(3) The superior courts may: Probate or refuse to probate wills, appoint personal representatives, administer and settle the affairs and the estates of incapacitated, missing, or deceased individuals including
but not limited to decedents' non-probate assets; administer and settle matters that relate to non-probate assets and arise under chapter
<a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.18"><span style="color:#2B674D">11.18</span></a> or
<a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.42"><span style="color:#2B674D">11.42</span></a> RCW; administer and settle all matters relating to trusts; administer and settle matters that relate to powers of attorney; award processes and cause to
come before them all persons whom the courts deem it necessary to examine; order and cause to be issued all such writs and any other orders as are proper or necessary; and do all other things proper or incident to the exercise of jurisdiction under this section.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.25in">(4) The subject matter jurisdiction of the superior court applies without regard to venue. A proceeding or action by or before a superior court is not defective or invalid because of the selected venue if the court
has jurisdiction of the subject matter of the action.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D">Dalynne Singleton<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D">Gourley Law Group<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D">Snohomish Escrow<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D">The Exchange Connection<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D">1002 10<sup>th</sup> Street / PO Box 1091<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D">Snohomish, WA 98291<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D">360.568.5065<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D">360.329.4079<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D">360.568.8092 fax<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#0563C1"><a href="mailto:dalynne@glgmail.com">dalynne@glgmail.com</a></span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
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