<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)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><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;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Vladimir Script";
panose-1:3 5 4 2 4 4 7 7 3 5;}
@font-face
{font-family:Garamond;
panose-1:2 2 4 4 3 3 1 1 8 3;}
@font-face
{font-family:Nyala;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Open Sans";}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.gmaildefault
{mso-style-name:gmail_default;}
span.EmailStyle21
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.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" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Others have given you the law, here are my quick answers I believe the law supports.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Scenario 1,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">DSHS is out of luck because home wasn’t in wife’s name when she died, the 4 month creditor period has run for husband’s estate and DSHS did not file a claim.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Scenario 2 is more complicated, but if I represented the wife, or her estate, I would argue that the 2 year statute of limitations has run. DSHS did not file a lien on the property or a claim against the estate.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Advice worth every penny you paid.
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">😉</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Heather<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></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" style="width:1.9701in;height:1.0895in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D6FEF8.3ED77360"></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="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></b><b><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" style="width:.7537in;height:.2164in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image004.png@01D6FEF8.3ED77360" 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-family:Nyala;color:#C00000">For the latest information regarding firm operations and precautions in light of the Coronavirus please visit our firm’s website:</span><span style="font-family:Nyala;color:red">
</span><span style="font-family:Nyala"><a href="http://www.westseattlelaw.com/">www.WestSeattleLaw.com</a><span style="color:#C00000">.</span><span style="color:red"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:#7030A0"><o:p> </o:p></span></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>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><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>Sarah McCarthy<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, February 9, 2021 12:53 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> jeff@bellanddavispllc.com; WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Statute of Limitations on DSHS Medicaid Lien<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif">I have a couple of related scenario questions involving DSHS estate recovery actions -- I'd welcome any input! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="gmaildefault"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">Scenario 1. Both spouses deceased.</span></b></span><span class="gmaildefault"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">
Wife and husband had a complicated marriage, but never were never officially divorced or legally separated by the court before wife died in 2014. They signed a "Separation Agreement" in 1976, but in the document they agreed that all of their property would
remain community property, including later acquired property, and that they would remain legally married. In 1988, wife quitclaimed to husband her share of husband's residence. Wife also had a residence, which she sold at some point before she died. In
1994, wife filed for dissolution, but case was dismissed for inaction in 1997. Wife died in 2014, after spending 7 years in adult family home paid for by medicaid. No probate was filed for wife, and we don't know if notice of wife's death was ever sent to
DSHS. </span></span><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="gmaildefault"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">Husband then died in January 2020. His death certificate recited that he was "widowed" (not divorced).</span></span><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="gmaildefault"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">Notice of husband's death was sent to DSHS in March 2020. </span></span><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black"> We
have received nothing from DSHS, going now on close to a year. Clients are just waiting for the shoe to drop. </span><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">Question</span></b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">: How do we know when/if DSHS is going to take action on this to enforce
a lien for payment of wife's care against husband's estate? When should PR feel safe closing estate and distributing out assets? 4-month creditor claim period is now complete. </span><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif">Scenario 2. Husband deceased in 2009, no lien ever filed, wife still living in residence. </span></b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"> DSHS client
husband with several years of long term care paid by Medicaid. DSHS client husband dies in 2009 with a surviving spouse who continued to live in the residence. Residence titled in husband and wife's revocable living trust. No probate filed for DSHS client
husband, but DSHS was (we think, based on a letter from the attorney at the time) sent notice of husband's death. DSHS didn't file a lien against the home in 2009, and still hasn't. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif">Question 1: </span></u><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"> I realize that DSHS won't initiate the <u>estate recovery action</u> until death of surviving
spouse (or at least until surviving spouse stops living in residence, such as by relocating to long term care herself), but does that mean DSHS will also hold off on <u>filing a lien until death of surviving spouse</u>? Wondering if the lack of any lien being
filed in 2009 means that there won't be a lien filed later, after surviving spouse's death? Did this family get a freebie?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif">Question 2</span></u><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif">. Since death occurred in 2009, with no lien filed, is there a statute of limitations on DSHS
ability to file a lien? Or is this always going to be dependent on the surviving spouse's life span and date of death? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif">Question 3</span></u><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif">. I would guess that the general prohibition on imposing a statute of limitation in an action
brought by the State of Washington (see </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:black">RCW </span><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=4.16.160"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#2B674D">4.16.160</span></a><span class="gmaildefault"><span style="color:black">)
means that there is no time cut off on the state's ability to file a lien or initiate estate recovery. Has anyone dealt with DSHS on the application of </span></span></span><span class="gmaildefault"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:black">RCW </span></span><span class="gmaildefault"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black"><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=4.16.160"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#2B674D">4.16.160</span></a> to
estate recovery? </span></span><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif">Thanks! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p style="margin:0in"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Sarah O’Farrell McCarthy</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">(Pronouns: she / her)<br>
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Attorney | <span style="color:black">
Kelly, Arndt & Walker, Attorneys at Law, PLLP</span></span><span style="color:#1F497D"><br>
</span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">6443 Harding Avenue | P.O. Box 290 | Clinton, WA 98236</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">(Located on Whidbey Island, Island County, Washington)<br>
Phone: (360) 341-1515 | Fax: (360) 341-3272</span><span style="color:black"><br>
</span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222"><a href="mailto:sarah@kawlawyers.com">sarah@kawlawyers.com</a></span><span style="color:#1F497D"> </span><span style="color:black">|
<a href="http://www.kawlawyers.com" target="_blank">www.kawlawyers.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">This electronic message transmission contains information from the law firm of Kelly, Arndt & Walker, PLLP which may be confidential or privileged. This information
is intended to be for the use of the individual or entity named above, If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any further review, disclosure, printing, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this transmission is prohibited. If you
have received this electronic message transmission in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and delete the original message. Thank you</span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">.
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A">We do not accept service of any kind by e-mail unless expressly authorized in writing by the attorney of record. This e-mail is NOT a contract and is not binding
upon the author pursuant to CR 2A. This e-mail is, at most, a negotiation under ER 408.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Thu, Jan 28, 2021 at 6:34 AM Jeff Davis <<a href="mailto:jeff@bellanddavispllc.com">jeff@bellanddavispllc.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Listmates:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Clients mother started receiving Medicaid benefits in 2006. DSHS filed lien against mom’s “unfinished” home in 2007. Mom died in 2010. DSHS has not foreclosed its lien. Is there
a statute of limitations for DSHS to foreclose?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Jeff<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">W. Jeff Davis, Esq.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><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" target="_blank">info@bellanddavispllc.com</a><br>
<a href="http://www.bellanddavispllc.com/" target="_blank">www.bellanddavispllc.com</a><br>
<br>
The information contained in this e-mail message may be privileged, confidential, and protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited. If you think that you have received this
e-mail message in error, please e-mail the sender at <a href="mailto:info@bellanddavispllc.com" target="_blank">
info@bellanddavispllc.com</a> or call 360.683.1129</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">***Disclaimer: Please note that RPPT listserv participation is not restricted to practicing attorneys and may include non-practicing attorneys, law students, professionals working in related fields, and others.***<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
WSBAPT mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><br>
<a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt" target="_blank">http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>