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<p class="MsoNormal">Sarah,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your unpaid fees are a cost of administration. RCW 11.76.110.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The estate cannot be closed until paid or resolved.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In your situation, I have filed a short petition advising the court that I am now out and asking the court (with notice to all parties) to approve the unpaid fees. That eliminates a dispute later as to the reasonableness of your fee.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I file a Request for Special Notice to prevent a dishonest PR from abruptly closing the administration without paying.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Regarding the filing of a lien, I have done that and have seen others do it. The last time, I defended against the enforcement of the lien and it led to no fewer than four contested hearings over a six month period with special settings
before an assigned judge. So be careful of what you wish for. Mike Caryl, now retired, had a niche practice on fee litigation and published several excellent articles on the filing and enforcement of attorney liens. Many nuances. I suggest that you read
him if you file.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> -Bruce Moen<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 McCarthy<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, February 19, 2021 6:49 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Attorney withdraws from representing PR, can attorney then file/assert claim in estate for PR's unpaid fees?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif">Brain trust: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif">If attorney withdraws from representing PR of a probate estate and there is an outstanding bill incurred by the PR - is there a method somewhere in RCW 11 that would authorize
attorney to request payment of balance of unpaid fees? These were fees incurred by the PR, not the decedent. This wouldn't be a claim against the decedent, so the creditor's claim procedures don't seem to apply. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif">Thanks all!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<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
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</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>
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