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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I had a near identical situation a few months ago. Heather was kind enough to share this language with me, and I sent a letter to the holder, who continued to demand a probate. Since a probate seemed excessive, and the dollars at issue did not justify litigation, we ended up providing the holder a small estate affidavit and the holder delivered the funds.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I never did hear a justification from the holder for their refusal to recognize the community property agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>John McCrady<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Counsel<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Puget Sound Title Company<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>5350 Orchard Street West<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>University Place WA 98467<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>253-476-5721<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>j.mccrady@pstitle.com<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Heather de Vrieze<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, January 09, 2020 1:09 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Transfer to Surviving Spouse of Investment Account<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Below is the text of a letter I send in these situations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>“I am writing to you on behalf of SURVIVING SPOUSE regarding the administration of the estate of her deceased husband, DECEASED SPOUSE. I appreciate that Washington State handles community property estates differently than other states and you or Schwab may not be entirely familiar with the effect of Community Property Agreements at the death of one spouse. Hopefully this letter will address your concerns. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>Community Property agreements are binding contracts between spouses, authorized by state law, (Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 26.16.120). I forward a copy of this statute for your reference. These agreements have the effect of vesting ALL assets owned by either spouse, as separate property, or as community property, in the surviving spouse. When such agreements are in effect at death, there is no need for Court administration of the property which is the subject of such agreement. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>THESE SPOUSES had such an agreement in effect when he died. Paragraph 2 of the agreement, previously provided, references the property covered. Therefor, no administration of DECEASED SPOUSE’S estate is necessary or appropriate now that the agreement has been “certified in the same manner as deeds to real estate are required to be” as required by the statute. Only the Superior Court may set aside these agreements; it has not. If an affidavit confirming the Agreement was in effect at death and creditors are paid or provided for would be helpful, SURVIVING SPOUSE can provide such an affidavit upon request.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>In accordance with the agreement and state law, all property owned by DECEASED SPOUSE at the time of his death is now vested in his wife. If Charles Schwab cannot follow this provision of Washington law without further Court order, I will seek such an order, and, as authorized by RCW 11.96A.150 (also forwarded herewith) may seek an award of costs, including attorney fees, to SURVIVING SPOUSE. I hope with this information, this account can be transferred without further delay.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Heather<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Vladimir Script";color:#1F497D'>Heather S. de Vrieze</span><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:#1F497D'><br></span></b><i><span style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D'>Attorney-at-Law<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D'><img width=189 height=105 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D5C6F6.557D7F00"></span></i><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>3909 California Avenue SW<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>Seattle, WA 98116-3705 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>(206)938-5500 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:heatherd@westseattlelaw.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>heatherd@westseattlelaw.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://r.xdref.com/?id=009LK1KG028443&from=wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com&to=j.mccrady@pstitle.com&url=http://www.westseattlelaw.com/"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>www.westseattlelaw.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002E8A'>Click here to connect with de Vrieze | Carney on Facebook: </span><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DeVriezeCarney"><b><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=72 height=21 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image004.png@01D5C6F6.557D7F00" alt="FB Logo"></span></b></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#A6A6A6'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#A6A6A6'>CONFIDENTIAL & PRIVILEGED. This e-mail message may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of this e-mail message and any attachment.</span><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Paul Neumiller<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, January 09, 2020 12:22 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Transfer to Surviving Spouse of Investment Account<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Please answer online (and hopefully attach a demand letter citing WA law)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="Paul_A__Neumiller"><img border=0 width=250 height=150 id="_x0000_i1027" src="cid:image006.jpg@01D5C6F6.557D7F00"></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Jamia Burns<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, January 9, 2020 10:52 AM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Transfer to Surviving Spouse of Investment Account<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Has anyone had luck transferring assets in a Schwab account to the surviving spouse using a Community Property Agreement. They are demanding a Letter Testamentary, EIN and Estate Bank Account to make the transfer. Any guidance is greatly appreciated. <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Respectfully,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><br clear=all><o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Jamia S. Burns<br>Attorney at Law<br>(360) 739-6379<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.5pt'>Office: 1200 Dupont St., Suite 1-D<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.5pt'>Bellingham, WA 98225 (By Appointment Only)</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Mail: P.O. Box 29453<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Bellingham, WA 98228<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="mailto:jamia@jamiaburnslaw.com" target="_blank">jamia@jamiaburnslaw.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jamiaburnslaw.com&data=02%7C01%7C%7C728500e8d91047c3885c08d79535ae38%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637141930101512779&sdata=kULTLL1BUvxI7a%2BM4x6eaZJEUJrN5ZBWLXlhDJ9oZGg%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">www.jamiaburnslaw.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'>NOTICE: This e-mail may contain confidential or privileged material and is intended for use solely by the above-referenced recipient. Any review, copying, printing, disclosure, distribution, or other use by any other person or entity is strictly prohibited. If you are not the named recipient, or believe you have received this e-mail in error, please reply to the sender and delete the copy you received. Thank you.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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