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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I read RCW 11.62.010(2)(i) in tandem with the part of RCW 11.62.010(1) that says, "...or so much of [the property] as is claimed..." So, if my client is entitled to one-fourth of the account, I make the claim
for only one-fourth, and give notice to the other successors. <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 your scenario, if my client is going to collect the entire account for themselves and other successors, then I have the other successors sign something confirming that they agree that my client can act as
their agent for purposes of receiving their share of funds and redistributing it. (And, as my client is not bonded in this situation, I typically draft the Affidavit to make sure that any money is payable to my trust account so I can make sure no funds go
astray.) I might include an indemnity provision to protect the client.<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">If there is a black sheep successor who will not cooperate or cannot be found, then I leave their share with the property holder and only do the Affidavit as to the cooperating successors. My thought is, if the
black sheep does not want her/his money, then my client does not want the headache of ending up as custodian for it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<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>Douglas Bratt<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 02, 2018 3:17 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Small Estates Affidavit Questions<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listmates:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have a question regarding the requirements of RCW 11.62.010, the Small Estates Affidavit Statute.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It appears that when one signs a Small Estate Affidavit, there is a requirement in RCW 11.62.010(i) that the Claiming Successor has obtained “written authority” of “all other successors” to take full payment or delivery” of the account
in question. However, what then is the purpose of giving ten (10) days’ notice to the other successors [per RCW 11.62.010 (h)], if there cannot be a taking of the entire account without securing written authority of all other successors [per RCW 11.62.010(i)]?
Additionally, nothing in that sub-section states what a recipient of such notice can do in response to such notice.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In my case, there are two major recipients due to receive the account proceeds (one of whom will be signing the Affidavit as the Claiming Successor. This person was also designated PR in the Decedent's Will.), constituting 93% of the account.
Three charitable organizations are to receive the other 7%. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My intention was to let the Claiming Successor secure the entire account proceeds, place all funds in my trust account, and to then distribute trust account checks to the two major recipients, and three small trust account checks to the
three charities, in the appropriate percentages. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Or, do I have to get written authority of all four of the other successors, before I can arrange for my “Claiming Successor” client to claim the entire account, for all five recipients. What if I am unable to get one such signature? (This
would be an acute problem if one of the recipients was a black sheep member of the family who had not been seen or heard from for 25 years.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Any thoughts? Or, how about a two-by-four to my head if I am simply miss-reading the sub-paragraphs in question?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for any responses.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Best Regards,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Doug Bratt <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:#1F497D">Douglas J. Bratt</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:#1F497D">Lawyer</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img width="165" height="167" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D3CAA2.C11BBE90" alt="Envelope scaled Terry"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D">Office: (360) 213-2040
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"> Fax: (360) 213-2030<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D">CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message may contain confidential or privileged information. If you have received this message by mistake, please do
not review, disclose, copy, or distribute the email. Instead, please notify us immediately by replying to this message or telephoning us. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D">NOTE:</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D">I do not use encrypted email. Messages sent to or from my office via email are not secure and may not be protected by attorney-client privilege. This email address is
not monitored at all times. If your matter is urgent, please phone my office during regular business hours.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D">TAX ADVICE NOTICE: IRS Circular 230 requires us to advise you that, if this communication or any attachment contains any tax advice, the advice is not intended
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<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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