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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I want to reiterate that a 50-50 split of CIR property is not automatic. The court’s division of CIR property is to be “fair and equitable” and there is no presumption that 50-50 is how it will go. Of course
a court <i>could</i> actually divide things that way; but I would not rely on it without having reviewed the facts and circumstances and determined that there is a good argument for such a split. The division doesn’t have to be strict percentages of every
asset; it could be whole assets allocated to survivor or decedent. It’s really a division as in a divorce, except that it addresses only community-like property acquired during the relationship and does not affect separate property of the parties, and except
that the factors in <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.09.080">
RCW 26.09.080</a> have to be reconsidered and adjusted in light of the fact that the parties weren’t married and one is now deceased.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Dalynne’s list of cases is pretty much what I would suggest, too. Note that the
<u>Langeland</u> matter went on appeal twice, and the earlier 2013 decision is also worth reading, 177 Wn.App. 315.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;background:aqua;mso-highlight:aqua">Covid-19 Update -
</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">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 direct mail and deliveries to the Seattle office.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Natalie Kuehler<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, August 10, 2021 7:56 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Is a CIR Partner an Heir for Intestacy Purposes?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro"">Thank you, Eric and Roger, for your very helpful responses!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro"">Natalie<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E">Natalie N. Kuehler</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E">KUEHLER & GRIM PLLC</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E">PO Box 3059 – 1112 State Route 20</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E">Winthrop, WA 98862</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E">o: (509) 996-2832 x1 – c (509) 557-5769</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E"><a href="http://www.kuehlergrim.com"><span style="color:#060A2E">www.kuehlergrim.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E">CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT: This message contains information that may be confidential and protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you received this message
in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the message.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><b><span style="color:black">From:
</span></b><span style="color:black"><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>> on behalf of Eric Nelsen <<a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</a>><br>
<b>Date: </b>Monday, August 9, 2021 at 3:56 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] Is a CIR Partner an Heir for Intestacy Purposes?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">CIR partner is definitely <b>
<u>not</u></b> an heir under intestacy. However, the division of CIR community-like property is not automatically 50-50: instead, the probate court must make a “fair and equitable” division of community-like property between the decedent and the surviving non-marital
partner. However that split ends up, 50-50 or otherwise, you are correct that the decedent’s share goes by intestacy and the surviving non-marital partner retains their share free of the estate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The cases are not clear on what division actually looks like. They imply that the division would be made applying the same factors as in divorce, but that really does not work. One of the main concerns in
a divorce outcome is the resulting financial situation for each ex-spouse going forward, and obviously that does not apply for someone who is deceased. I have entertained the idea that, in a proper case, the "just and equitable" division of assets between
the survivor and the decedent could be 100% to the survivor and 0% to the estate. That is not strictly speaking an "inheritance" but it would achieve an outcome similar to inheritance of community property. If it works.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;background:aqua;mso-highlight:aqua">Covid-19 Update -
</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">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 direct mail and deliveries to the Seattle office.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">
<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>Natalie Kuehler<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, August 9, 2021 3:21 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Is a CIR Partner an Heir for Intestacy Purposes?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro"">Hello all,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro"">If one partner in a committed intimate relationship dies without leaving a will, does the surviving partner stand in the shoes of a spouse for purposes of intestacy law and inherit all of the decadent’s
estate? Or does the surviving partner only retain his or her one-half interest in property that is CIR/community-like property, but the deceased’s one-half interest in the property (i.e. the deceased’s estate) passes to surviving children, parents etc under
intestacy laws?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro"">I believe the answer is the later but am getting pushback.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro"">Thank you!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E">Natalie N. Kuehler</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E">KUEHLER & GRIM PLLC</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E">PO Box 3059 – 1112 State Route 20</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E">Winthrop, WA 98862</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E">o: (509) 996-2832 x1 – c (509) 557-5769</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E"><a href="http://www.kuehlergrim.com"><span style="color:#060A2E">www.kuehlergrim.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#060A2E"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Chaparral Pro";color:#060A2E">CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT: This message contains information that may be confidential and protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you received this message
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