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<p class="MsoNormal">Practically speaking I would want to treat that as a petition within the probate itself, and give notice to all parties. However, I think the statute may technically appear to require a separate action under TEDRA. The issue of substituting
a new charity for one named in the Will is probably "the determination of any class of...devisees, legatees" and/or "the determination of [a] question arising in the administration of the estate [including without limitation]...(i) the construction of wills"
which are "matters" under TEDRA. RCW 11.96A.020(2), subsecs. (a) and (c)(i).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think it makes little sense to file such a thing as a separate action; it's counterproductive and potentially misleading to have to track down multiple case numbers for instructions to a PR, or determine who is to receive property under
the will.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Re filing TEDRA always as a separate action: I investigated this at one point, and discovered that I think this is an unfortunate effect of the statewide clerk's association unknowingly working at cross-purposes to the original intent of
the law. The statute, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.96A.090">
RCW 11.96A.090(2)</a>, formerly allowed filing TEDRA petitions within the probate OR as a separate action, and I think that was intentional, so that things like removal of a PR could be handled with TEDRA procedures directly under the relevant cause number.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But the clerk's association lobbied to have it amended to always require a separate action, because it was an administrative headache in some fashion to have an action filed within a probate case, and collect another filing fee, and track
it as a litigation matter, etc.. The only person testifying in committee was from the clerk's association in support of the bill; there was no opposition. I doubt that the RPPT section or anyone else was even aware of it, or if they were aware, it seemed innocuous
at first glance. So it got amended, and the original intent has been impaired somewhat by always having to file in a separate action. See
<a href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/5135-S.SL.pdf?cite=2013%20c%20246%20%C2%A7%202">
Laws 2013, c 246 sec. 2</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think that TEDRA was really supposed to allow a proceeding-within-a-probate, kind of like an adversary proceeding inside a bankruptcy, to standardize the process for bringing a contested matter in front of the judge. But I don't think
it is very clear when it should be used or not used even for something arguably within the rather vague definition of "matter," and the 2013 amendment forcing separate actions has really confused things even more. For example, a petition for a family support
award is now technically supposed to be a separate action. <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.54&full=true#11.54.090">
RCW 11.54.090</a>. Clearly that was not the original intent; but the 2013 change to RCW 11.96A.090(2) leads to that result.<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"><span style="color:#0563C1">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background:aqua;mso-highlight:aqua">Covid-19 Update -
</span></b>All attorneys are working remotely during regular business hours and are available via email and by phone; please call the Seattle office. Videoconferencing also is available. Signing of estate planning documents can be completed and will be handled
on a case-by-case basis; please call the Seattle office.<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 Duncan<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, November 4, 2020 8:55 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Petition for Instructions<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">Hello list mates. I am filing a Petition for Instructions in Snohomish County under the Cy Pres doctrine (RCW 11.96A.127) to ask the court to redirect the charitable share
of a Will where the charity is no longer in existence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">My question is whether we can file our petition under our same probate cause number and set a hearing on the Commissioner’s calendar, or whether we need to file it a separate
TEDRA petition and set a hearing on the Judge’s civil motions calendar?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">Does anyone know?
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">___________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">Sarah E. Duncan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">Adams & Duncan, Inc., P.S.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">3128 Colby Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">Everett, WA 98201<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">(425) 339-8556<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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