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<p class="MsoNormal">Paternity establishment, even with a deceased parent, is still under the Uniform Parentage Act,
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.26A&full=true">Ch. 26.26A RCW</a>, which has provisions to decide whether or not to require genetic testing of a deceased individual or decedent’s relatives if necessary. There are presumptions and procedures
involved, unsurprisingly. Due process and all. Also see FAQ with the <a href="https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/prosecutor/child-support/paternity-unit.aspx">
King County Prosecutor Paternity Unit</a>; they won’t pursue paternity when father is deceased but it can still be done privately.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As for PR’s duty in this circumstance: I think that is a tough call. PR has a duty to ascertain proper heirs/beneficiaries, but I don’t know if that duty necessarily (or ever) extends to the point of actually filing an action to establish
paternity. It may be a “facts and circumstances” kind of matter where you don’t know if you did wrong or right until the Court of Appeals tells you.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My gut says the PR should look at the circumstances—if it’s <i>
likely</i> he was the father, I would be cautious about simply shoving the responsibility onto the mother. But if it’s merely
<i>plausible</i> or is <i>unlikely</i>, there might be more reason to force the burden on the mother to proceed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Best protection would be to petition the court for instructions: make the judge decide whether or not the estate should be required to pursue a paternity action. That would be the most effective means of protecting the PR from a potential
breach of fiduciary duty due to a conflict of interest.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That is a <i>very</i> interesting scenario.<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. Videoconferencing also is available. Signing of estate planning documents can be completed and will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please
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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>Dalynne Singleton<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, April 1, 2021 3:24 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Unborn child, death of potential father<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">I have a wrongful death case in which I appointed the mother of the deceased grown adult son as Administrator. She is attempting settlement with the insurer on the wrongful death claims.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A baby was born after her son’s death and she does not know if it is her son’s baby. The baby’s mother is claiming it is the baby of the deceased son.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">How is paternity established for a newborn when the purported father is dead?<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Once the PR settles for what we surmise will be policy limits, is she obligated to find out if the baby is her son’s or is that burden on the mother
of the baby? <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">He had no children upon his death so any WD will be to the parents at this time.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Dalynne Singleton<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Gourley Law Group<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Snohomish Escrow<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">The Exchange Connection<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">1002 10<sup>th</sup> Street / PO Box 1091<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Snohomish, WA 98291<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">360.568.5065<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1"><a href="mailto:dalynne@glgmail.com">dalynne@glgmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1">Website:
<a href="http://www.glglawgroup.com">www.glglawgroup.com</a></span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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whenever possible. Be assured that we will continue to advise & support our clients throughout this health emergency. If you would like to set a telephone conference, please call or email my paralegal
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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