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<p>Michael, if the retirement account is a qualified plan – like a 401(k), then it is governed by ERISA.<br>
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The last time I looked at the issue, ERISA required the plan administrator to follow the designation made by the account holder. You say that deceased designated the trust as beneficiary, so under federal law, it must be paid to the trust.<br>
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A couple cases you can look at are Egelhoff, 121 S. Ct. 1322 (2000), and also Lundy, 187 Wn. App 948 (2015). In Lundy, the surviving partner sued the beneficiary after the funds were distributed by the plan administrator. But, the Lundy court said “no can do”. So, if there is another beneficiary other than the surviving spouse, you would want to look at Lundy and other similar cases.<br>
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andrekita<br>
Law Office of F. Andrekita Silva<br>
1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2000<br>
Seattle, Washington 98101<br>
206-224-8288<br>
www.seattle-silvalaw.com<br>
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Quoting Mike Winslow <<a href="mailto:mike@winslegal.com">mike@winslegal.com</a>>:</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt">Testator dies leaving his IRA to a trust created under his LWT.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt">Testator was married at time of death, but only for couple years. However, Testator lived with spouse for 10 years before the marriage. Facts for claim of Committed Intimate Relationship are that both worked during marriage, although decedent was the high income earner. Shared a residence together, with mortgage payments made by Testator from his income. Unclear if couple shared other expenses. But assume that there is some basis for claim of CIR and thus a quasi-Community Property claim for period of living together and CP during marriage.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt">How does federal law regarding IRAs affect claim of surviving spouse to Quasi Community Property?</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt">Spouse wants half of pension (both contributions and growth from contributions) for period of CIR.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'>Michael A. Winslow</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'>1204 Cleveland Ave.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'>Mount Vernon, WA 98273</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'>Ph. 360-336-3321</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'>Em. Mike@winslegal.com</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'>This message is from an attorney, so it’s confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, it’s too late to stop reading this message, but you may not use it for any improper purpose. Huge Disclaimer available upon request.</span></p>
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<div><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:11px;">andrekita<br>
Law Office of F. Andrekita Silva<br>
1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2000<br>
Seattle, Washington 98101<br>
206-224-8288<br>
www.seattle-silvalaw.com</span></span></div>
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