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--></style></head><body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple" style="word-wrap:break-word"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Phil,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Always enjoy your posts for a voice of reason and well thought out advice. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Sincerely,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Tom</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Thomas J. Westbrook</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Attorney at Law</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><img width="193" height="67" style="width:2.0083in;height:.7in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D7221F.E6E86740"></span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Rodgers Kee Card & Strophy, P.S.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">324 West Bay Drive NW, Suite 201</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Olympia, Washington 98502</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Phone: 360-352-8311</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Facsimile: 360-352-8501</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Email: </span><span style="color:#1f497d"><a href="mailto:tjw@buddbaylaw.com"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563c1">tjw@buddbaylaw.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Skype: thomas.westbrook</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><a href="http://www.buddbaylaw.com/" target="_BLANK????"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563c1">www.buddbaylaw.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">The information contained in this email and attachment(s) are for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain private, privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the addressee, you are strictly prohibited from reading, photocopying, distributing or otherwise using this email or its contents in any way. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone at 360-352-8311 or by e-mail to <a href="mailto:reception@buddbaylaw.com">reception@buddbaylaw.com</a>, and destroy the original message from your electronic files.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:red">COVID-19 UPDATE:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">s</span><span style="color:#1f497d"> Rodgers Kee Card & Strophy will no longer maintain “open” hours at the physical office. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">s</span><span style="color:#1f497d"> All the staff is working remotely. We are routinely monitoring our voice mail and email, which is</span><span style="color:#00b0f0"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">the best way to communicate during this period. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">s</span><span style="color:#1f497d"> We are still taking new clients but consultations will be telephonic or via video conferencing, and any in-person meetings will be by appointment and only if necessary to execute documents. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">s</span><span style="color:#1f497d"> Please provide necessary documents to us by scan and email, where possible, or by mail if not. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:red">s</span><span style="color:red"> We anticipate these changes will be effective for the foreseeable future. We are doing everything we can to maintain the level of service and professionalism we’ve always provided, even in the face of this public health crisis. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. We look forward to the soonest possible return to full operations and continued service to our clients.</span><span style="color:#1f497d"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #e1e1e1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Philip N. Jones<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, March 26, 2021 8:41 AM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Honesty with PR</p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In my opinion, an attorney for a PR does not have fiduciary duties to the beneficiaries. The PR is the person with fiduciary duties to the beneficiaries. The attorney represents only the PR, and none of the beneficiaries. But the attorney has a duty to advise the PR on how the PR should act in order to minimize any possibility of the PR incurring liability to the beneficiaries for breaching the PR’s fiduciary duties. Down here in Oregon, the Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that an attorney may assist a fiduciary in carrying out an act that breaches the fiduciary’s duties, but the attorney might incur liability if the attorney helps the fiduciary to commit fraud. <i>Reynolds v. Schrock</i>, 341 OR 338 (2006). See also <i>Fuentes v. Tillett</i>, 263 Or. App. 9, 326 P.3d 1263 (2014) and <i>Cruze v. Hudler</i>, 246 Or. App. 649 (2011). Of course, the problem is that there is a fine line between a breach of fiduciary duty and a fraud, so caution is needed. Resignation might be the best answer.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">If anyone has any other case law on this question, please share. The answer might vary from state to state.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Phil Jones</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Portland, OR</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Philip N. Jones</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Duffy Kekel LLP</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">900 S.W. Fifth Ave. Suite 2500</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Portland, OR 97204</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:pjones@duffykekel.com"><span style="color:#0563c1">pjones@duffykekel.com</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">(503) 226-1371 – office</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">(503) 853-1482 – cell</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">(503) 226-3574 - fax</span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #e1e1e1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Stephen Brandli<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 23, 2021 2:36 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Honesty with PR</p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">In addition to all of the other useful comments, I recall caselaw that holds that an attorney has an attenuated (my word) fiduciary duty to the beneficiaries.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> Steve</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #e1e1e1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Brent Williams-Ruth<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 23, 2021 11:53 AM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com">WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Honesty with PR</p></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Greetings Brain Trust</span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">I have an estate where I believe that the PR is no longer being truthful with me or the other beneficiaries regarding the assets of the Decedent. They have refused to create any accounting with actual statements/reports from third parties and instead only is creating an excel spreadsheet that they have populated. </span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">This is a first for me and I am not certain as to how to proceed. </span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Confrontation? Withdrawal? Let him sign declarations/affidavits and not worry about inconsistencies from months back?</span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Appreciate any thoughts and guidance. </span></p></div><div><div><div><div><p><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Brent Williams-Ruth</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> (preferred pronoun: he/him)<br><i>Attorney-At-Law</i></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth, </span></b><b><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">a division of BWR Consulting, PLLC</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Physical Address: 500 S 336th Street, Suite 214; Federal Way, WA 98003</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:red">**EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY**</span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> All mail sent through the USPS should be sent to the following address: PO BOX 3319; Federal Way, WA 98063 </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Office/Scheduling Phone:<span style="color:#004080"> </span><span style="color:red">(253) 285-7751</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Direct:<span style="color:red"> (253) 285-7453</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:Brent@Williams-RuthLaw.com" target="_blank">e-mail</a> / <a href="http://www.williams-ruthlaw.com/" target="_blank">website</a> /</span><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/bwrlaw" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">facebook</span></a></span><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> / </span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>