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<p class="MsoNormal">I think a Motion to Dismiss is a route—or perhaps styled as “Motion to Cancel Letters and Close Probate Without Administration.” But it’s not CR 41 so much as the court’s equitable authority to dismiss an unnecessary probate. From briefing
I used a few years back:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In probate, a lower court's decision to decline or accept jurisdiction "is a matter resting largely in the discretion of the court."
<i>Murphy v. Murphy</i>, 42 Wash. 142, 149, 84 P. 646 (1906). The court has discretion to refuse to commence administration when there appears to be no need for one.
<i>In re Peterson's Estate</i>, 137 Wash. 137, 241 P. 964 (1926). Even after one has been commenced, the court may revoke the Administrator's Letters "for the sole purpose of ending an unnecessary administration."
<i>Murphy</i> at 150. The decision to appoint or remove a PR in general rests in the discretion of the court, and will not be disturbed in the absence of a clear showing of abuse of discretion.
<i>In re St. Martin's Estate</i>, 175 Wash. 285, 289, 27 P.2d 326 (1933).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think it only works if the PR truly has no assets, nothing to deal with, and really hasn’t achieved anything and no one has appeared and there’s nothing that needs to be done.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<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>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
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</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>Mike Zeno<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 1, 2021 4:18 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] voluntary dismissal of probate<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#002060">How does one go about voluntarily dismissing a probate? Details/context: It was filed recently—PR appointed, letters issued—but that’s all. No appearances.
Intestate. Sole asset a chose in action (decedent died while her PI claim was pending). PR is decedent’s mother. No spouse or kids.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#002060"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#002060">Is there any reason I can’t just voluntarily dismiss under CR 41?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#002060"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:#1F497D">The Law Office of G. Michael Zeno, Jr., P.S.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">T: (425) 947-8050 F: (425) 947-8052<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">135 Lake Street S., Suite 257<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Kirkland, WA 98033<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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