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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F3864">Hi Rachel, it sounds like there might be some facts missing, e.g. it sounds like Spouse A may have died in a manner that gave rise to a possible wrongful death claim. The law on who may benefit under a wrongful
death claim in Washington just changed about a year ago and broadened the class of persons that can benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F3864"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F3864">As to the community property, Spouse A would have the right to dispose of her interest in the community property unless there is some agreement between the spouses that vests all community property in the surviving
spouse. In addition, Spouse B might assert other claims to at least some of the property, for example, under 11.54.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F3864"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F3864">Best, Claudia<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F3864"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F3864"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:ParkAvenue;color:#1F3864">Claudia A. Gowan<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color:#1F3864"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></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>Rachel Bender<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 02, 2021 3:19 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Wrongful death / probate<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Hi all,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Spouse A prepared a Will, naming her adult child as beneficiary and specifically "cutting out" Spouse B. Child is named Personal Representative. However, there is no separate property
- only community property owned by Spouse A and B together.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Spouse A dies. Spouse B wants to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of estate. Would PR still be the only person able to file a wrongful death claim even though there is no separate
estate and everything now belongs to Spouse B? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">I guess my question is, if there is no separate estate to manage, does the named PR still have the power to bring claims or can the surviving spouse represent estate in wrongful death
claim?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">I'm assuming it's still PR, but wanted to check.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Rachel R. Bender |
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Member, Attorney</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><br>
</span></i><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Bender Law PLLC</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><br>
1001 Fourth Avenue<b> | </b>Suite 4400 <b>|</b> Seattle, WA 98154<br>
<b>Reception</b>: 206.577.7987 <b>| Direct</b>: 206.389.1744 <b>|</b> <b>Fax</b>: 206.693.4365</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white"><a href="http://www.bender-law.com" target="_blank">www.bender-law.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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