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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Looking for some guidance on a case where I represent the estate:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Decedent acquired a piece of real property in Skamania County in 1989. Decedent then married in 1994. Decedent and spouse separated in 1999 – dissolution case was started in Clark County by the spouse, but was dismissed in 2001 for want of prosecution. Parties never reconciled. Spouse listed the real property as Decedent’s separate property in Petition for Dissolution. Title to property was never vested in the spouse.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In a codicil to her will executed in 2001, Decedent specifically disinherits/excludes spouse from inheriting anything from her estate. Decedent passed away December 2017. The question is: what claim, if any, does the “spouse” have in her estate? Decedent has an adult child not of the ‘94 marriage who is the PR and named as sole heir in her codicil. The only asset of any value is the property Decedent acquired in 1989, which was prior to the marriage. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Any insight would be appreciated.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Conor P. Buie</span></b><br><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Attorney at Law<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Lambert Law Office PLLC</span> <br><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>900 Washington Street, Suite 1010</span> <br><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Vancouver, WA 98660</span> <br><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>phone (360)737-1473</span> <br><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>fax (360)859-5259<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:conor@LambertLawPLLC.com"><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#0563C1'>conor@LambertLawPLLC.com</span></a> <br><a href="http://www.lambertlawpllc.com/"><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#0563C1'>www.lambertlawpllc.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>