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<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_GoBack"></a><span style="color:#1F497D">Just .02 cents, but you need to clarify whether your client is the Personal Representative or the Estate. If you represent the Estate, I think you may have a duty that extends to the beneficiaries
of the Estate. A couple of good cases out there concerning the distinction of representation.<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" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Marcus J. Fry<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Lyon, Weigand & Gustafson, P.S.
<br>
P.O. Box 1689 <br>
Yakima, Washington 98907 <br>
Telephone: (509) 248-7220 <br>
Facsimile: (509) 575-1883 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">NOTICES:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Confidentiality:
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are hereby notified that any disclosure, or taking of any action in reliance on the contents, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please contact us immediately and return the e-mail to us by choosing Reply (or the corresponding
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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>James W. Spencer<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 13, 2019 2:57 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Client Gone Radio Silent (not a sub-mariner)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Greetings Brent:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As the creditor claim period has ended (and your address is no longer needed for service), I would send the client a letter by email and both regular and certified mail indicating that you intend to withdraw on X date if you do not hear
from her. If you don’t hear from her, withdraw. If you don’t, and litigation pops up for any reason (waste, breach of fiduciary duty, etc. all come to mind), you could find yourself stuck in the matter as the estate’s attorney, and if there is anything left
on her fee advance, bills could rack up quickly and you may have difficulty getting paid.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve done this with a couple clients just in the past week. Both called to schedule appointments once I threatened to withdraw. In both cases, they will need to have a clear plan of action to complete the estate if they want me to stay
on. The risk of hanging out as the estate attorney where there’s a wayward PR is, in my opinion, just too high.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Good luck!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">-James<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white">James W. Spencer<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Brothers & Henderson, P.S.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white">2722 Eastlake Avenue East, Suite 200<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white">Seattle, Washington 98102<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white">Phone: (206) 324-4300 x106<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black">e-mail: </span>
<a href="mailto:jamess@brothershenderson.com">jamess@brothershenderson.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><a href="http://www.brothershenderson.com/">www.brothershenderson.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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If you have received this transmission in error, immediately notify the sender by reply e-mail and permanently delete this transmission and all copies including attachments.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Brent Williams-Ruth<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 13, 2019 10:51 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Client Gone Radio Silent (not a sub-mariner)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Good Morning List - <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Have a client (surviving spouse) of a very simple and easy probate. Opened, did initial paperwork, notice period, then the wait. Completed notice period, ready to proceed forward - client has fallen off
RADAR. Not returning calls. Non-responsive to letters sent via e-mail or USPS. I have not tried sending something certified - but since this is a first for me, I thought I would check in with y'all to see what you do when someone just stops responding. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">It has been about two months. Not trying to collect any money (she paid retainer). Simply want to verify that all notice elements were done and get the Declaration Ascertaining Creditors returned so we can
begin the final part of the process. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Thank you!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Brent<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">-- <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p><b>Brent Williams-Ruth</b> <br>
<i>Founding Member</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b>BWR Consulting, PLLC</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Office/Scheduling Phone:<span style="color:#004080"> </span>(425) 830-5134<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Direct Mobile: (206) 889-7919<o:p></o:p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:brent@bwrconsults.com" target="_blank">e-mail</a> / <a href="http://www.bwrconsults.com" target="_blank">
website</a> /<span style="font-size:9.5pt"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/bwrconsults" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">facebook</span></a><span style="font-size:9.5pt"> / </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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