<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
color:windowtext;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none none;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Susan – If you look below, I have attempted to provide feedback in
<span style="color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%">
BLUE.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Regards, <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Mark<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Mark C. Vohr, Esq.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Ohana Fiduciary Corp.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Ohana Financial Services<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">A Washington Trust Company<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Mark C. Vohr, J.D., CPG, Principal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">PO Box 33710 Seattle, WA 98133<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">T: (206) 782-1189 F: (206) 782-1434<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">mcv@ohanafc.com www.ohanafc.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<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 <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Suzanne Lieberman<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, June 3, 2020 10:14 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Minor probate questions<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Hello,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">I have a client whose ex-husband passed away in Seattle last year without a will. They had one child together who is now 12. Decedent had no other family apart from aunts and uncles in Greece.
Client wants to open probate for her son and potentially be the administrator, but wants to know if she can use any of the assets ($370k in a bank account) to pay for the mortgage, utilities for the house where she and her son live.
<span style="color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%">
Generally no. Parent has common law duty to support child and can’t use the child’s money to pay parental obligations. However, there are a couple of other matters to consider. First, what does the child support order say? Many will have a provision to
address estate planning should a parent die while the child is still a minor. Second, surviving parent should be applying ASAP for SSA survivor benefits for the child.
</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#263238">It looks like we need to get approval from the GAL to figure out what we can do with the assets. Can
we also put some of the funds into a UTMA with our client as custodian for e.g. future education held in trust until he reaches 18, and what are the limits on how can those funds be used? Would setting up a UTMA require GAL approval and is that something that
is decided as part of the probate GAL hearing or can that be decided later? Does the decision re earmarking of all the funds need to be decided at the hearing? If so, can there be modifications later (with GAL approval)?</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">
<span style="color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%">
The PGAL will recommend to the court what the GAL thinks is in the best interest of the minor for the management of the child’s inheritance. In terms of whether the parent can be in charge of the funds in any way, it is unlikely. Refer to Special Proceedings
Rule 98.16W and the local version of the same SPR.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#263238">Can the probate GAL and administrator appointment issues both be considered at same time/hearing?
If not, I'm assuming the administrator hearing would happen first?</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">
<span style="color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%">
Both at same time is best and most efficient. You should absolutely advise the court at the administrator appointment hearing that you have a minor beneficiary and the court will appoint a PGAL at the same time the court appoints the administrator. Best to
have a proposed order ready. The court will likely choose the PGAL from the regular GAL rotation.</span>
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Can our client get access to the funds after the GAL probate hearing, i.e. around 17 days from when process started?
<span style="color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%">
Not sure I understand this question. However, your is entitled to administer the estate in accordance with state law. However, your client is not a beneficiary – an important distinction to make. Best to simply coordinate with and loop in the GAL and establish/plan
agree to how the matter will proceed. </span> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Since there is only one type of asset, would this qualify for an order for a probate GAL with limited power to investigate certain narrow issues, or would we need a full one? Would there be any
disadvantages to a limited probate GAL? <span style="color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%">Not sure I understand this question. The child is the sole beneficiary, as far as I can tell from the facts. The
court will appoint a PGAL. The duties are well established, which will be to protect the minor’s interest int the estate. Not sure what limitations would be appropriate here.</span></span><span style="color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">If we do the GAL appointment and administrator appointment at the same time or around the same time, how long does the GAL process add to the usual probate timeline of 6 months?
<span style="color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#2E75B6;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%">
See above. How long it takes will depend on a variety of factors, including normal time-lines is takes to administer an estate, the efficiency of the administrator, plus the time it takes to coordinate with the GAL.
</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Thank you! Sorry for bombarding you with so many questions on my first day of this listserv! Your help on any of them would be greatly appreciated. I am still relatively new to estate planning/probate.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#500050">Sincerely, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#500050"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#500050">Suzanne Lieberman<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#500050"><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__cmslawfirm.com_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=K1mLMC1eFjwfeeMM-AC6zQ&m=pG_LEd1QIOR6coXBLxF-IYSsmc2ZfymCHEe4YPKQWkc&s=jSlSxqN5m-I-0L9TaAusfID0O6dhuVXVmMY4i2G_Fjc&e=" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1155CC">CMS
Law Firm LLC</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:#500050">811 Kirkland Ave. Suite 201 </span></b><span style="color:#500050">(please note new address!)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#500050">Kirkland, WA 98033<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#500050">206.659.1512<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#500050"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#500050"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#500050">Legal stuff I have to put in... <i>To ensure compliance with Treasury Department and IRS regulations, we inform you that, unless expressly indicated otherwise, any federal tax advice contained in this communication
(including any attachments) is not intended or written by CMS Law Firm LLC to be used, and cannot be used by the taxpayer, for the purpose of: (i) avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer under the Internal Revenue Code; or (ii) promoting, marketing,
or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein (or any attachments).</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>