<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class="">This is excellent. Thank you so much!<div class=""><br class=""><div class="">Amy<br class=""><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; line-height: normal; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" class=""><i class=""><br class=""></i></font></div><div class=""><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" class=""><i class=""><br class=""></i></font></div><div class=""><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" class=""><i class="">Amy J. Goertz, J.D.</i></font></div><div class=""><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" class=""><i class="">Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC</i></font></div><div class=""><div class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><a href="mailto:amyjgoertz@icloud.com" class="">amyjgoertz@icloud.com</a> </div><div class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><br class=""></div><div class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">1.888.926.2607 phone<br class="">1.877.684.1627 fax<br class=""><br class=""></div><div class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">Address for correspondence:</div><div class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">2829 S. Grand Blvd., Suite 303<br class="">Spokane, WA 99203 </div><div class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><br class=""></div><div class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">Additional office locations:</div><div class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">510 Bell Street<br class="">Edmonds, WA 98020</div><div class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><br class=""></div><div class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC</div><div class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><a href="http://www.goertzlambrecht.com/" class="">www.goertzlambrecht.com</a></div></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; line-height: normal;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;">
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<div><br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class="">On Nov 10, 2021, at 11:20 AM, Eric Nelsen <<a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com" class="">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</a>> wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div class=""><div class="WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">From WSBA Family Law Deskbook Ch. 10.4:<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""> Annotation, <i class="">Validity of Marriage As Affected By Lack of Legal Authority of Person Solemnizing It, </i>13 AL.R. 4th 1323 (1982). In 2012, the Washington legislature amended the statute to authorize "any regularly licensed or ordained minister or any priest, imam, rabbi, or similar official of any religious organization" to solemnize marriages. RCW <a href="https://casemaker4.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Revised_Code/browse?ci=14&codesec=26.04.050&title=26#26.04.050&fn=Washington%20Family%20Law%20Deskbook" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><b class="">26.04.050</b></a>.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">A "valid cultural marriage" performed in the Sudan was recognized in <i class="">In re Marriage of Akon, </i><a href="https://casemaker4.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=160+Wn.App.+48&fn=Washington%20Family%20Law%20Deskbook" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><b class="">160 Wn.App. 48</b></a>, <a href="https://casemaker4.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=248+P.3d+94&fn=Washington%20Family%20Law%20Deskbook" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><b class="">248 P.3d 94</b></a> (2011).<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Statutory requirements of a valid ceremony are only that the parties assert or declare before a statutorily approved solemnizer and no less than two attending witnesses that they take one another as spouses. RCW <a href="https://casemaker4.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Revised_Code/browse?ci=14&codesec=26.04.070&title=26#26.04.070&fn=Washington%20Family%20Law%20Deskbook" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><b class="">26.04.070</b></a>.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">A ceremonial marriage in Washington is valid notwithstanding the lack of a license. <i class="">State v. Denton, </i><a href="https://casemaker4.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=97+Wn.App.+267&fn=Washington%20Family%20Law%20Deskbook" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><b class="">97 Wn.App. 267</b></a>, 270-71, <a href="https://casemaker4.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=983+P.2d+693&fn=Washington%20Family%20Law%20Deskbook" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><b class="">983 P.2d 693</b></a> (1999). Although Washington has a statutory requirement for a marriage license, it does not have a statute plainly making an unlicensed marriage invalid. <i class="">Id. </i>at 271. "Therefore, the purpose of the license requirement is purely regulatory," and that regulatory purpose cannot be enforced by rendering a marriage void or even voidable. <i class="">Id.</i><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">....<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Courts in yet other states have interpreted the mandatory language of the licensing requirement strictly, declaring that failure to comply with the requirement invalidates a marriage. <i class="">See, e.g., Estate of DePasse, </i><a href="https://casemaker4.casemakerlegal.com/states/CA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=97+Cal.+App.+4th+92&fn=Washington%20Family%20Law%20Deskbook" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><b class="">97 Cal. App. 4th 92</b></a>, <a href="https://casemaker4.casemakerlegal.com/states/CA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=118+Cal.Rptr.+2d+143&fn=Washington%20Family%20Law%20Deskbook" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><b class="">118 Cal. Rptr. 2d 143</b></a> (2002), <i class="">overruled on other grounds in Ceja v. Rudolph & Sletten, </i>Inc., <a href="https://casemaker4.casemakerlegal.com/states/CA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=56+Cal.4th+1113&fn=Washington%20Family%20Law%20Deskbook" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><b class="">56 Cal.4th 1113</b></a>, 1126, <a href="https://casemaker4.casemakerlegal.com/states/CA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=302+P.3d+211&fn=Washington%20Family%20Law%20Deskbook" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><b class="">302 P.3d 211</b></a>, 219, <a href="https://casemaker4.casemakerlegal.com/states/CA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=158+Cal.Rptr.+3d+21&fn=Washington%20Family%20Law%20Deskbook" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><b class="">158 Cal. Rptr. 3d 21</b></a>, 31 (2013) (holding there is no objective reasonableness requirement for a putative spouse); <i class="">see also </i>English, 61 A.L.R.2d 847, at §2.5. Although Washington's statute contains similarly mandatory language, the Washington courts seem to have embraced the policy that favors sustaining generally conforming marriages. <i class="">See State v. Denton, </i><a href="https://casemaker4.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=97+Wn.App.+267&fn=Washington%20Family%20Law%20Deskbook" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><b class="">97 Wn.App. 267</b></a>, 271, <a href="https://casemaker4.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=983+P.2d+693&fn=Washington%20Family%20Law%20Deskbook" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><b class="">983 P.2d 693</b></a> (1999). Practitioners will do well to note the <i class="">McLaughlin's Estate </i>court's observation that the question of whether a marriage is a valid one is "so often before the courts, and involved in so many contradictions and shades of distinctions, it is impossible to reconcile them," 4 Wash, at 588, an observation that remains accurate more than 100 years later.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Sincerely,<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Eric<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">1417 31st Ave South<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">206-625-0092<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" class="">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class=""><span style="background-color: aqua; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="">Covid-19 Update -<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></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 direct mail and deliveries to the Seattle office.<o:p class=""></o:p></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div class=""><div style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-width: 1pt; border-top-color: rgb(225, 225, 225); padding: 3pt 0in 0in;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">From:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" class="">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" class="">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b class="">On Behalf Of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>G. Geoffrey Gibbs<br class=""><b class="">Sent:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Wednesday, November 10, 2021 8:19 AM<br class=""><b class="">To:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" class="">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br class=""><b class="">Subject:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Re: [WSBAPT] Here's a New One<o:p class=""></o:p></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="">The lack of a marriage license will not defeat the fact they were married. There is case law on that point (but not at my fingertips). So they were married on August 28<sup class="">th</sup><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>under the facts you provided. That does not solve all the issues but might get you started.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div class=""><table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody class=""><tr style="height: 6.3pt;" class=""><td width="114" rowspan="5" valign="top" style="width: 85.85pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; height: 6.3pt;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class=""><span id="cid:image001.png@01D7D624.E16A5D50"><image001.png></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></td><td width="509" valign="top" style="width: 382pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; height: 6.3pt;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;" class=""><b class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; font-family: "Arial Nova", sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; color: rgb(21, 55, 95);" class="">G. Geoffrey Gibbs<o:p class=""></o:p></span></b></div></td></tr><tr style="height: 0.25in;" class=""><td width="509" valign="top" style="width: 382pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; height: 0.25in;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;" class=""><b class=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 15.333332061767578px; color: rgb(21, 55, 95);" class="">Anderson Hunter Law Firm<o:p class=""></o:p></span></b></div></td></tr><tr style="height: 13.5pt;" class=""><td width="509" valign="top" style="width: 382pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; height: 13.5pt;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(68, 114, 196);" class="">2707 Colby Avenue #1001 | Everett, WA 98201<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr style="height: 9pt;" class=""><td width="509" valign="top" style="width: 382pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; height: 9pt;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(68, 114, 196);" class="">P. (425) 252-5161 | F. (425) 258-3345 |<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(68, 114, 196);" class="">ggibbs</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(68, 114, 196);" class=""><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AndersonHunterLaw/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(68, 114, 196); text-decoration: none;" class="">@andersonhunterlaw</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(68, 114, 196);" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr style="height: 0.4in;" class=""><td width="509" valign="top" style="width: 382pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; height: 0.4in;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class=""><a href="http://www.andersonhunterlaw.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(208, 175, 104); text-decoration: none;" class="">www.andersonhunterlaw.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr style="height: 81pt;" class=""><td width="624" colspan="2" valign="top" style="width: 467.85pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; height: 81pt;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="">This email message may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized use is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. </span><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">To comply with IRS regulations, we advise you that any discussion of Federal tax issues in this e-mail is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by you, (a) to avoid any penalties imposed under the Internal Revenue Code or (b) to promote, market or recommend to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. </span><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 42, 53);" class="">We do not accept service of any kind by e-mail unless expressly authorized in writing by the attorney of record. E-mail communications are not intended to create contracts or CR 2A agreements. All such agreements must be signed by the attorney of record.</span><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> Thank you.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div class=""><div style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-width: 1pt; border-top-color: rgb(225, 225, 225); padding: 3pt 0in 0in;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">From:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class="">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class="">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b class="">On Behalf Of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>Amy Goertz<br class=""><b class="">Sent:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Tuesday, November 9, 2021 4:37 PM<br class=""><b class="">To:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class="">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br class=""><b class="">Subject:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[WSBAPT] Here's a New One<o:p class=""></o:p></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;" class="">Good afternoon,</span><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;" class="">I have an interesting situation on my hands.</span><o:p class=""></o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;" class="">A potential client (PC) called today with the following challenging scenario:</span><o:p class=""></o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;" class="">PC (30 years old) was in a relationship since 2018 with a man (28 years old) who had been paralyzed in an accident in 2015. He received a settlement from the accident, which was in a bank account on which his stepmother was a co-signer to help him pay bills.</span><o:p class=""></o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;" class="">During their relationship, PC was his primary caretaker, and they purchased vehicles and a house. All titled in his name and likely using his settlement monies.</span><o:p class=""></o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;" class="">They planned to be married on his grandparents’ anniversary - August 28, 2021. They had a ceremony with a licensed officiant but they did not realize they were supposed to get a marriage license ahead of time so no official paperwork was filed. They decided to go to Idaho on October 11 (her birthday) to get hitched for real, but would continue to consider August 28 as their anniversary.</span><o:p class=""></o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;" class="">He died of unknown causes on October 5; she woke up to him unresponsive and could not revive him. </span><o:p class=""></o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;" class="">Stepmother has swooped in, says she is the “executor” of the estate (there are no estate planning documents to PC's knowledge) and has taken titles to all of the vehicles and withdrawn the funds from the bank account. She says she is “holding them” for PC.</span><o:p class=""></o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;" class="">I would be interested to know how you would approach this situation.</span><o:p class=""></o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;" class="">Thanks in advance for your insights.</span><o:p class=""></o:p></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span id="cid:image002.gif@01D7D624.E16A5D50"><image002.gif></span><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div class=""><div class=""><div class=""><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><i class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";" class=""><br class="">Amy</span></i><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><i class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";" class="">Amy J. Goertz, J.D.</span></i><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><i class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";" class="">Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC</span></i><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><a href="mailto:amyjgoertz@icloud.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class="">amyjgoertz@icloud.com</a> <o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">1.888.926.2607 phone<br class="">1.877.684.1627 fax<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">Address for correspondence:<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">2829 S. Grand Blvd., Suite 303<br class="">Spokane, WA 99203 <o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">Additional office locations:<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">510 Bell Street<br class="">Edmonds, WA 98020<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goertzlambrecht.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cggibbs%40andersonhunterlaw.com%7C81743235246b463c060808d9a3e4c546%7Ccfd348433b124bd6850ebd6b59fd6f90%7C0%7C0%7C637721025495316397%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=PBGpAbI3GBRSAmzJcrmxMUFAVM4JmtTR1dDi8y0lzvw%3D&reserved=0" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" class="">www.goertzlambrecht.com</a><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p class=""> </o:p></p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;" class="">***Disclaimer: Please note that RPPT listserv participation is not restricted to practicing attorneys and may include non-practicing attorneys, law students, professionals working in related fields, and others.***</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;" class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;" class="">_______________________________________________</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;" class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;" class="">WSBAPT mailing list</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;" class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;" class=""><a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com" class="">WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</a></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;" class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;" class=""><a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt" class="">http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</a></span></div></blockquote></div><br class=""></div></body></html>