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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Hello Susan,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">As your rightly read, when a probate is opened (not merely a Will filed with the court which is sometimes done where a trust is fully funded – a Unicorn indeed but I’ve seen it with my own two eyes
</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">😉</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt">), all heirs must be notified (even the disinherited ones). There is no statutory obligation to send the Will and we generally don’t here in
our office but sometimes do as a matter of curtesy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">If a probate is not opened, and the Will just put on file, no notice necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">No contradiction between us and heck – if I were wrong I’d welcome the correction - the day I believe I know it all would be a sad day indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Happy Monday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold"">Diane J. Kiepe<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold""><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Diane J. Kiepe<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Douglas Eden<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">717 W. Sprague Ave.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Suite 1500<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Spokane, WA 99201<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:djkiepe@depdslaw.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">djkiepe@depdslaw.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">509-455-5300<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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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>sdonahue@sdonahuelaw.com<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, November 1, 2021 1:44 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv' <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Language for notice to disinherited heir?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m not an expert on all things trust, as Diane says of herself, although I doubt it, and I certainly don’t want to contradict her, so I’m asking for myself as well. But this morning I was reading about notifications to heirs and beneficiaries.
So, I’m thinking that the PR is obliged to send a copy of the will and the notice of appointment as PR to ALL the heirs and beneficiaries—even the disinherited one. This allows all heirs and beneficiaries to come to court to contest the will. Of course, if
it’s a pour over will, you don’t have to send the trust—just the will, but I’m pretty sure you have to send a copy of the will to all heirs and beneficiaries. There is nothing in the statue that says you don’t have to send the will to disinherited heirs.
But, I’m relying on the form available on the very helpful <a href="http://www.wa-probate.com">
www.wa-probate.com</a> web site which offers a form <a href="https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.probate-form.com%2Fforms%2FProbate%2FOpen%2FNotice-Appointment-PR-WW-DM.doc&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK">
Notice-Appointment-PR-WW-DM.doc (live.com)</a> that indicates a will should be sent with the notice of appointment of the PR. So, I’m curious myself. Does the will have to be sent with notice of appointment to all heirs and beneficiaries? That’s the first
question for me. If so, then I think ALL HEIRS means even disinherited ones. But, I could be wrong. That’s just my thinking right now.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ll be looking for more discussion. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3 style="mso-margin-top-alt:3.75pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white">
<span style="font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">RCW </span><span style="color:black"><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.28.237"><span style="font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:#2B674D">11.28.237</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">Notice of appointment as personal representative, pendency of probate</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">—</span><span style="font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">Proof
by affidavit.<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">(1) Within twenty days after appointment, the personal representative of the estate of a decedent shall cause written
notice of his or her appointment and the pendency of said probate proceedings, to be served personally or by mail to each heir, legatee and devisee of the estate and each beneficiary or transferee of a nonprobate asset of the decedent whose names and addresses
are known to him or her, and proof of such mailing or service shall be made by affidavit and filed in the cause. If a trust is a legatee or devisee of the estate or a beneficiary or transferee of a nonprobate asset of the decedent, then notice to the trustee
is sufficient.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt">SUSAN DONAHUE</span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Law Office of Susan Donahue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">125 West 2<sup>nd</sup> Avenue, Suite “B”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">P.O. Box 81<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Twisp, WA 98856<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">(509) 996-5944 (phone)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">(509) 362-9692 (fax)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:sdonahue@sdonahuelaw.com"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:blue">sdonahue@sdonahuelaw.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<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>Diane J. Kiepe<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, November 1, 2021 1:03 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] Language for notice to disinherited heir?<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Erin,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">I certainly am not an expert on all things trust but generally speaking, most people use these to ensure that certain information is not disclosed. I personally would not send a copy of the trust. In fact,
I might not take any action. If anything, I would direct them to the county where the Will was filed and they can see the estate went into trust. Thereafter, if they request trust information, I think it is your obligation, barring direction from the Trustee
who understands his/her role, to indicated that only “qualified beneficiaries” as that term is defined in statute are entitled to trust information and that such person is not a qualified beneficiary (assuming you made sure of that).
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Any person with an interest in an estate or trust is entitled to file a TEDRA. If you are wanting to be proactive, I would dialogue with the client of sending a more direct letter indicating that the trust
provides no interest to the party and therefore there will be no further communication on the same (of course you can broaden that letter as you see fit). I personally would only provide a copy of the trust in very limited circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">All the best,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold"">Diane J. Kiepe<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold""><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Diane J. Kiepe<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Douglas Eden<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">717 W. Sprague Ave.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Suite 1500<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Spokane, WA 99201<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:djkiepe@depdslaw.com">djkiepe@depdslaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">509-455-5300<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><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>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>Erin Fairley<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, November 1, 2021 12:26 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] Language for notice to disinherited heir?<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dear All,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To date, I haven’t needed to send a letter to disinherited heir under a will and trust. This is a Will that pours over to a trust; direct heir is not named in the trust.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What ‘gentle’ language do you use in this situation? Would you send a copy of the trust?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I appreciate your thoughts and input.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Best regards,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Erin<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black">Erin Fairley</span></b><span style="color:black"> / Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:erin@leschilaw.com">erin@leschilaw.com</a><span style="color:black"> / (206) 353-4625<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black">Leschi Law, PLLC</span></b><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">121 Lakeside Avenue, Suite B Seattle, WA 98122<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.leschilaw.com/">www.leschilaw.com</a><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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