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<p class="MsoNormal">I received a certificate of presumed death that was recognized. We did have a police report indicating presumed dead. We opened the probate with that. It was within the first year of death. Happy to discuss.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some food for thought – if they are in WA, I would demand access to account under Community Property rights – each spouse has a right to manage community property. This of course may not be an option if second marriage and pension plan
was separate property – a written letter from counsel citing spouse’s community property rights and indicating claim may be forth coming may go a long way.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Best of luck,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold"">Diane J. Kiepe<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold""><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Diane J. Kiepe<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Douglas Eden<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">717 W. Sprague Ave.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Suite 1500<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Spokane, WA 99201<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:djkiepe@depdslaw.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">djkiepe@depdslaw.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">509-455-5300<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Sarah Smith<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, October 15, 2019 10:44 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Death in Absentia<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, I realize that this is a long shot, but I figured it is worth a try…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">Client’s spouse went missing 6 years and 2 months ago.
<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">No remains/body ever recovered after extensive search by law enforcement and forest service. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">Client resigned as Power of Attorney for missing spouse in a moment of weakness.
<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">All was well until recently—missing spouse’s pension discontinued payments to my client. Pension company refuses to speak with my client or me (understandably). Power of attorney
has made little effort due to a personal strain between herself and my client (and refuses to resign).
<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We could of course motion for a guardianship and possibly have my client appointed, but that will likely be completed only a few months prior to the expiration of the 7 years.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Given how close we are to the 7 year mark and the raised need at this point has anyone ever attempted to have court deem missing person deceased prior to the expiration of the 7 years?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Anyone? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Sarah E. Smith, Esq. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">MULLAVEY, PROUT, GRENLEY & FOE, LLP<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">2401 N.W. SIXTY-FIFTH<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">P.O. Box 70567<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98127<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">(206) 789-2511<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">FAX: (206) 789-4484 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><a href="mailto:sesmith@ballardlawyers.com">sesmith@ballardlawyers.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#1F497D">NOTICE: This is a private and confidential communication for the sole viewing and use of the intended recipient. This communication may contain information, protected by the attorney-client
privilege or work product doctrine. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, please immediately notify the sender and delete and destroy all copies of this communication, whether in paper or electronic form. The unauthorized disclosure,
distribution, copying, or use of information contained in this communication may violate State and Federal laws, including but not limited to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510 et. Seq. and the Washington Privacy Act, chapter 9.37 RCW.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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