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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Dalynne:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I think that your characterization of the debt is correct, but there are inherent proof problems with this scenario. Regardless of the characterization of the debts, you should consider notifying all the creditors and then filing a Petition for Spousal Support under RCW 11.54.010, et. seq. for the surviving spouse. Because of the circumstances, you probably have the facts to support an increase in the basic award to her so that she can keep the house and not pay these debts. Note that a decision in her favor by the Court wipes out all debts, including community debts of the decedent and the surviving spouse.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jane Bitz.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Jane G Bitz<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Of Counsel<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Wolff, Hislop & Crockett, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>12209 E Mission, Suite 5<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Spokane Valley WA 99206-4824<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>(509) 927-9700; FAX (509) 777-1800<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><a href="mailto:jane@jbitzlaw.com"><span style='color:blue'>jbitz@whc-attorneys.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D'><img border=0 width=346 height=174 style='width:3.6083in;height:1.8166in' id="_x0000_i1029" src="cid:image005.png@01D399D3.61285A20" alt="cid:image002.png@01D06C8A.419B0730"></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#2F5496'>THE CONTENTS OF THIS ELECTRONIC MAIL ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROTECTED BY THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE OR OTHER APPLICABLE PROTECTION. Any review, use, distribution or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If you have received this electronic mail in error, PLEASE NOTIFY ME BY E-MAIL, FAX OR TELEPHONE and PROMPTLY DELETE this electronic mail. This mail cannot be modified without express written consent of Wolff, Hislop & Crockett, PLLC. Thank You.<o:p></o:p></span></i></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><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>Dalynne Singleton<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, January 29, 2018 8:21 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Deceased spouse's debt - separate or community?<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>I have an estate opened for a death of husband. We have published the Notice to Creditors and it has been shocking to the widow (Mrs.) of the creditor’s claims for debts her husband had that she did not know about. I am trying to make a determination on separate debt v. community debt. I have done some research and here is what I have concluded – correct?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>If debt was incurred during marriage by the husband w/o the consent or any part of the debt for the wife, it is his separate debt.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>If debt was incurred during marriage as in #1, but debt was accumulated to the benefit of the community, it is community debt. Example, bought a car and the car is now with the wife after his death.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>If debt was incurred as a “family expense”, then it is enforced against the separate property of decedent – does this include medical expenses of the husband?<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Quite a bit of the bills are for credit cards and medical treatment of the husband prior to death (unrelated to death).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>One if for a personal non-secured loan for which the wife has no idea what the money was used for.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>There is a community property home with no mortgage. Very little cash and no pension.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>The wife’s income will not support paying all of this debt and she will be forced to sell her home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;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",sans-serif;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",sans-serif;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",sans-serif;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",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif;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",sans-serif;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",sans-serif;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",sans-serif;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",sans-serif;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><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Californian;color:black'>LICENSED IN WASHINGTON AND OREGON</span></i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Californian;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>IMPORTANT/CONFIDENTIAL: This e-mail message (and any attachments accompanying it) may contain confidential information, including information protected by attorney-client privilege. 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