<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-size: 13px;color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family: Arial;"><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style><div style="font-size: 13px;color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family: Arial;"><div>All --</div><div><br></div><div>Looking for some guidance on how to handle a needlessly nasty estate case:</div><div><br></div><div>Say spouses H and W have reciprocal wills and a community-property agreement, both well-prepared and legit, and H dies. H's child, A, wants a piece of the estate and spends a great deal of energy working on W, who gives A several items and some money. A wants more and files with the court what looks to be an invalid later will (questionable witnesses and no notary) and sends W a letter demanding more of the estate. No probate is necessary because the estate assets are all community property and, fortunately, are titled in the names of H and W. W wants to deal with A as efficiently as possible to avoid spending money unnecessarily. The estate is relatively small but not small enough to be covered by a small-estate affidavit. A is unrepresented but getting enough information somewhere to make W's life difficult. </div><div><br></div><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Initial discussion that a strongly worded letter might suffice has turned into a discussion about opening probate using the reciprocal will. <span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Given that A has filed the later-dated will with the court (will only, no probate), is it smart to open an otherwise needless probate with the reciprocal will? Or would that needlessly complicate matters? </span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The upshot here is that all assets are community property and titled jointly, but A believes assets are hidden and that A is entitled to them. A is not H's only child, but A is the only child named in the later-dated will. Any advice on the most efficient way to shut A down? Or is this an issue where it's better to use the "throw spaghetti at the wall" approach? Said strongly worded letter is drafted but not sent.</span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Thanks for any advice from the hive mind. It is always much appreciated.</span><br></div></div><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br><div id="elnk_signature_1553376894826" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial,sans-serif; color: black;">Cindy Zetts<br>Cynthia Zetts Law, PLLC<br>Affordable estate planning, mobile service<br>253-720-6446<br><br>CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message and any attachment is a transmission from the law firm and is intended only for the intended recipient. The email may contain information that is confidential and protected by the attorney-client, work-product, and other privileges. If you are not the designated or intended recipient, please destroy the message without disclosing any of its contents and notify Cynthia Zetts Law immediately by reply email or by calling 253-720-6446.</div></div><br><div id="elnk_signature_1553378854294" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial,sans-serif; color: black;">Cindy Zetts<br>Cynthia Zetts Law, PLLC<br>Affordable estate planning, mobile service<br>253-720-6446<br><br>CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message and any attachment is a transmission from the law firm and is intended only for the intended recipient. The email may contain information that is confidential and protected by the attorney-client, work-product, and other privileges. If you are not the designated or intended recipient, please destroy the message without disclosing any of its contents and notify Cynthia Zetts Law immediately by reply email or by calling 253-720-6446.</div><br><br></div></body></html>