<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">The harsh reality, as far as I have ever been able to find, is that the black letter of RCW 11.04.015 applies to a long-separated and effectively defunct marriage: the estranged spouse is still legally the spouse and entitled to receive 1/2 of the deceased spouse's separate property. I agree that the rule is in serious need of a revision simply because of how often unintended consequences seem to arise as a result, but until that happens, I don't think there's much to be done. One step that I've successfully employed once was to have the separated spouse disclaim the interest. In situations like this, a hail-mary like that might be your only option forward.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">Best,</div><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">David J. Faber</div><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">Faber Feinson PLLC</div><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">800 Polk Street, Suite B</div><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">Port Townsend, WA 98368<br>(360) 379-4110</div><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><br></div><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><span style="font-family:Helvetica">*** NOTICE: ATTORNEY CLIENT COMMUNICATION - PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL. This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, or believe that you have received this communication in error, please do not print, copy, retransmit, disseminate, or otherwise use the information. Also, please indicate to the sender that you have received this communication in error, and destroy the copy you received.***</span></div></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Oct 8, 2021 at 11:33 AM Diane J. Kiepe <<a href="mailto:DJKiepe@depdslaw.com">DJKiepe@depdslaw.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt">Please post additional responses to list serve as well. I have always taken the position that marriage not properly dissolved (or in legal separation) = marriage. You need to take action or accept the law
of the land. <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold"">Diane J. Kiepe<u></u><u></u></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold""><u></u> <u></u></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Diane J. Kiepe<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Douglas Eden<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">717 W. Sprague Ave.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Suite 1500<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Spokane, WA 99201<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:djkiepe@depdslaw.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">djkiepe@depdslaw.com</span></a><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">509-455-5300<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<div style="border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Marcus J. Fry<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, October 7, 2021 2:34 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Defunct marriage in probate<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is law but it is in the context of personal injury claims in attempting to allocate an award between spouse and children. I haven’t seen it applied to defeat intestacy statute and community property claims. Washington Practice-
Family and Community Law covers it. Also see Estate of Petelle from Div 1, 2019.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br>
<strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Marcus J. Fry</span></strong><br>
Attorney | Witherspoon • Kelley<br>
<a href="mailto:mjf@witherspoonkelley.com" target="_blank">mjf@witherspoonkelley.com</a> | <a href="https://www.witherspoonkelley.com/marcus-j-fry" target="_blank">
Attorney Profile</a> | <a href="https://www.witherspoonkelley.com/s/mfj.vcf" target="_blank">vCard</a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">
wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Dalynne Singleton<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, October 7, 2021 2:16 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Defunct marriage in probate<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">Has anyone argued that a “defunct marriage” is enough proof to have the spouse get nothing from estate? I saw on listserve mention of making this argument.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">Separated over 10 years and had no contact and then wife dies with home on which she is sole owner but as her separate property.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">I’d love to see any briefing or arguments to be made. I have done some research on defunct marriage but so much is directed to family law, I’m not sure the argument is strong enough to have the spouse get
nothing.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">There is a retirement which was just started and now has over $200k and husband is trying to get 50% as well as 50% of the net value of the home.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt">Two adult daughters are outraged by this.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">Dalynne Singleton</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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