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<p class="MsoNormal">In theory, yes, but I read Jeff's scenario as indicating that the house was genuinely the separate property of the decedent. If it is separate property, then the court in a CIR case has no jurisdiction to affect its ownership. The court
in a CIR case only has jurisdiction over property that is "community-like," as in "would be considered community property under the rules of characterization if the parties had been married." The court in the CIR case divides "community-like" property between
the parties in a fair and equitable fashion, but leaves separate property alone.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I probably should have specified that in my earlier answer, that I was assuming the house was genuinely separate property and there was no possible community-like interest. Separate property of a CIR partner can only pass to the other partner
via Will, as the surviving partner has no legal inheritance rights. Community-like property is divided between the decedent and surviving partner as may be fair and equitable, which is not inheritance but rather a determination as to what belongs to the estate
and what belongs to the survivor.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">eric@sayrelawoffices.com<o:p></o:p></p>
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<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>Roger Hawkes<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, March 6, 2020 1:50 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com>; jeff@bellanddavispllc.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Affidavit of Lack of Probate - Dealing with Separate Real Property<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Actually, CIR litigation could result in a court order granting sole ownership to one or the other; correct?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Roger Hawkes, WSBA # 5173<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hawkes Law Firm and Sultan Lawyers<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">19944 Ballinger Way NE, Shoreline, WA 98155 and<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">423 Main, Sultan, WA 98294<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206 367 5000<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">360 799 6438<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<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>Eric Nelsen<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, March 5, 2020 4:27 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:jeff@bellanddavispllc.com">jeff@bellanddavispllc.com</a>; WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Affidavit of Lack of Probate - Dealing with Separate Real Property<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your mileage may vary among title companies, but if I were the underwriter I would not allow an ALOP for a committed intimate relationship (CIR) couple where the interest passed entirely by Will. I would require probate of the Will.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In a genuine community property context, multiple different streams of law can operate to give the surviving spouse the house, even if it is solely in the other spouse's name. But with a CIR relationship, the only legal method of transfer
hinges on validity of the Will. So I would require it to be proved in court as valid.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<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>Jeff Davis<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, March 5, 2020 3:54 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> [WSBAPT] Affidavit of Lack of Probate - Dealing with Separate Real Property<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listmates:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Client was in a long term (28) year committed relationship. Husband (for lack of a better term) died. His Last Will & Testament leaves everything to the surviving Partner (“Wife.”) House is only in Husband’s name as his separate property.
Recently we have seen title companies accepting recorded Affidavits of Lack of Probate (“ALOP”) to remove the deceased spouse’s name from title, which was taken as “Husband and Wife.” Obviously, in the husband and wife title setting, the surviving spouse
already has a deeded interest in the property. Here the surviving partner has no interest in the property but for the Will.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Would a “ALOP” that attaches the Will work or is probate an absolute necessity.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jeff Davis<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">W. Jeff Davis, Esq.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">BELL & DAVIS PLLC<br>
P.O. Box 510<br>
Sequim WA 98382<br>
Phone No.:(360) 683.1129 <br>
Fax No.: (360) 683.1258 <br>
email: <a href="mailto:info@bellanddavispllc.com"><span style="color:blue">info@bellanddavispllc.com</span></a><br>
<a href="http://www.bellanddavispllc.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">www.bellanddavispllc.com</span></a><br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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