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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Take a closer look at RCW 11.54.010(2). It attaches to community and separate property, as well as probate or nonprobate assets. So it can absolutely be used to soak up property out of the RLT. Depending on
the size of the estate, that may be the path of least resistance. I have seen it used to pull in IRA proceeds as well as separate bank accounts that had beneficiaries designated (effectively overriding the beneficiary designation at the financial institution).
It is a powerful tool, although theoretically limited to $125,000 + whatever the commissioner is willing to go up to.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">There is also some ambiguity in your fact pattern. At date of death, was the RLT actually funded? Or is the executor relying on the pour-over aspect of the Will? If the latter, then note that the bequest to
the RLT could be abated under RCW 11.12.095(4) to satisfy the 50% of separate property to omitted spouse. If RLT was funded prior to death, that may be more difficult to argue. I am curious what your research finds on the applicability of RCW 11.12.095 to
RLT assets.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sounds like this was a later marriage or second marriage, so surviving spouse needs to be willing to negotiate with step-kids or in-laws to get a fair shake.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#5B9BD5">Nicholas Pleasants<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Pleasants Law Firm, P.S.<br>
2300 130th Ave NE, Suite A-101<br>
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<a href="mailto:nick@pleasantslaw.com"><span style="color:blue">nick@pleasantslaw.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Inge Fordham<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, August 3, 2020 1:38 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Omitted Spouse Involving RLT and Pour Over Will<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Colleagues,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">PC is surviving spouse and was omitted from decedent’s will, which was executed prior to the date of the marriage. The will is a pour over will that leaves the estate to a RLT that was created decades ago
(well before the creation of the pour over will). Under the omitted spouse statute, PC would be entitled to 100% of the community property and 50% of the decedent’s separate property. Assume, for purposes of this exercise, that there is little or no community
property. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">If all or a majority of what would otherwise be considered “separate property” is actually held in a RLT that was created by the decedent prior to the date of the marriage, does PC have any claim to those
assets? It seems that if the Legislature intended the omitted spouse statute to apply to trust assets, it would have provided as much. RCW 11.98, et seq. does not have a provision similar to RCW 11.12.095. RCW 11.54.010 is also limited to community versus
separate property. What is the effect? Is PC’s claim limited to 50% of the separate property that was not already transferred into the RLT and would therefore be subject to the pour over will?
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Thank you in advance for your thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#203864">Inge A. Fordham | Attorney</span></b><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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