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--></style></head><body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple" style="word-wrap:break-word"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Eric, Sarah and Kerry,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Thanks so much for your clear guidance. I was pretty certain that would be the answer, but held out hope my reading of the statute, the WSBA Probate desk book and general instincts were not as I feared. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">I am certain this will be litigious just because there is a sizeable estate involved. So, might as well bring it on early. We suspect but cannot prove yet that the SS took the Will out of the now empty Will envelope from the safe before the restraining order was in place. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Eric, I have successfully litigated the abuse of elder statute in the past, and appreciate your thoughtfulness of bringing that up. May be doing that again.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Best Regards,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Tom</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Thomas J. Westbrook</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d">Attorney at Law</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><img width="152" height="62" style="width:1.5833in;height:.6416in" id="_x0000_i1028" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D81768.014C39C0"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1f497d">324 West Bay Drive NW, Suite 201</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1f497d">Olympia, WA 98502</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1f497d">(360) 866-4000 phone</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1f497d">(360) 866--3832 fax</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1f497d"><a href="http://www.buddbaylaw.com/">www.buddbaylaw.com</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:red">COVID POLICY:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:#1f497d">Our firm continues to follow guidance from the CDC and Governor Inslee’s office regarding social distancing and the wearing of face coverings, and we encourage the public and our clients to do the same. Our staff is still working remotely much of the time so electronic communication by phone and email continues to be encouraged. We appreciate your patience and understanding.</span></i><span style="color:#1f497d"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1f497d"> </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>Kerry Richards<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, February 01, 2022 11:39 AM<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] Lost Will</p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Dear Tom:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">In addition to Eric and Sarah’s salient comments, I would add that execution of a Prenuptial Agreement is not necessarily the answer to the issues raised. Challenges to such agreements happen all the time in multiple venues. Whether it be in a dissolution proceeding or a probate, an opportunity is always presented to challenge the provisions of the agreement. A surviving spouse may not, but they have the opportunity. Not giving them notice of the proceedings will unnecessarily insert you and your PR into the fray. You, as the lawyer handling the probate may not know the negotiations, if there were any, in the lead up to execution of the agreement. The Friedlander issues are going to be raised, like it or not. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black">Yours truly,</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black">Kerry A. Richards, Attorney</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#002060"><img border="0" width="130" height="42" style="width:1.35in;height:.4416in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.png@01D81767.77276350"></span><span style="color:#002060"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><b><span style="color:black">The Law Offices of Michael W. Bugni & Associates, PLLC</span></b><span style="color:black"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="color:black">11300 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98125</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:#bf7000">EMAIL:</span><span style="color:black"> </span></b><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:krichards@lawgate.net">krichards@lawgate.net</a></span><span style="color:#6d0065"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><b><span style="color:#bf7000">TEL:</span></b><span style="color:#002060"> </span><span style="color:black">206-365-5500</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><b><span style="color:#bf7000">WEB:</span></b><span style="color:#002060"> </span><span style="color:black"><a href="http://www.lawgate.net/"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">www.lawgate.net</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002060"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </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>Tom Westbrook<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, February 01, 2022 10:27 AM<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] Lost Will</p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div><p class="MsoNormal">Thanks, Eric for your always sound advice. Would it matter if the SS is subject to a VAPO order restraining him from contacting the decent and her family members as well as the business owned by decedent?</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Regards, Tom</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div id="ms-outlook-mobile-signature"><p class="MsoNormal">Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone<br>Get <a href="https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg">Outlook for Android</a></p></div><div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><hr size="2" width="98%" align="center"></div><div id="divRplyFwdMsg"><p class="MsoNormal"><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>Sent:</b> Tuesday, February 1, 2022 9:56:14 AM<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] Lost Will</span> </p><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div></div><div><div><p class="xmsonormal">I vote yes. RCW 11.20.070 only says notice to “all persons interested” but I think as a due process matter it’s much better for the client to give notice to the spouse; spouse needs the opportunity to exercise whatever rights they may have that aren’t waived by the prenup. This gets the issues out into the open where they can be dealt with.</p><p class="xmsonormal"> </p><p class="xmsonormal">Also, I have learned the hard way in a couple of probates that it doesn’t matter that a dissolution action has been filed—the action terminates immediately on death of a party and if the Decree of Dissolution wasn’t entered before death, then they’re still married and the survivor is still surviving spouse. Unless the prenup waives all statutory rights as surviving spouse, they can still petition to administer community property, are entitled to notice of any other surviving spouse, etc.</p><p class="xmsonormal"> </p><div><p class="xmsonormal">Sincerely,</p><p class="xmsonormal"> </p><p class="xmsonormal">Eric</p><p class="xmsonormal"> </p><p class="xmsonormal">Eric C. Nelsen</p><p class="xmsonormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC</p><p class="xmsonormal">1417 31st Ave South</p><p class="xmsonormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909</p><p class="xmsonormal">206-625-0092</p><p class="xmsonormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#0563c1">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a></p><p class="xmsonormal"> </p><p class="xmsonormal"><b><span style="color:black;background:aqua">Covid-19 Update - </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.</p></div><p class="xmsonormal"> </p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #e1e1e1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="xmsonormal"><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>Tom Westbrook<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, February 1, 2022 9:33 AM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Lost Will</p></div></div><p class="xmsonormal"> </p><p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Is it necessary to give notice to surviving spouse about</span> <span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">taking proof</span> <span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">for</span> <span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">a lost Will when the surviving spouse is not named in the Will and there is a PreNup that clearly states the SS does not take</span> <span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">under the Will that was executed prior to the marriage? Also, the decedent had started a dissolution of marriage prior to death.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Sincerely,</span></p><p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Tom</span></p><p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Thomas J. Westbrook</span></p><p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Attorney at Law</span></p><p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><<...>> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1f497d">324 West Bay Drive NW, Suite 201</span></p><p><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1f497d">Olympia, WA 98502</span></p><p><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1f497d">(360) 866-4000 phone</span></p><p><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1f497d">(360) 866--3832 fax</span></p><p><a href="http://www.buddbaylaw.com/"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">www.buddbaylaw.com</span></a></p><p><span style="color:red">COVID POLICY:</span></p><p><i><span style="color:#1f497d">Our firm continues to follow guidance from the CDC and Governor Inslee’s office regarding social distancing and the wearing of face coverings, and we encourage the public and our clients to do the same. Our staff is still working remotely much of the time so electronic communication by phone and email continues to be encouraged. We appreciate your patience and understanding.</span></i></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"> </p></div></div></div></body></html>