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<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_MailEndCompose"><span style="color:#1F497D">Jane,<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Yes, see the last sentence of the statute.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:3.75pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white">
<b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">RCW </span></b><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.54.060"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#2B674D;text-decoration:none">11.54.060</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:3.75pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white">
<b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Priority of awarded property</span></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">—</span></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Effect
of purchase or encumbrance on property.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">(1) The award has priority over all other claims made in the estate. In determining which assets must be made available
to satisfy the award, the claimant is to be treated as a general creditor of the estate, and unless otherwise ordered by the court the assets shall abate in satisfaction of the award in accordance with chapter </span><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.10"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#2B674D;text-decoration:none">11.10</span></b></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"> RCW.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">(2) If the property awarded is being purchased on contract or is subject to any encumbrance, for purposes of the award
the property must be valued net of the balance due on the contract and the amount of the encumbrance. The property awarded will continue to be subject to any such contract or encumbrance, and any award in excess of the basic award under RCW </span><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.54.010"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#2B674D;text-decoration:none">11.54.010</span></b></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">,
whether of community property or the decedent's separate property, is not immune from any lien for costs of medical expenses recoverable under RCW </span><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.20B.080"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#2B674D;text-decoration:none">43.20B.080</span></b></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Sara D. Longley<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Senior Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Ivy Law Group, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">1734 NW Market Street<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Seattle, WA 98107<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Phone: (206) 706-2909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:sara@ivylawgroup.com"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1">sara@ivylawgroup.com</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow",sans-serif;color:#76923C"><img border="0" width="122" height="107" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D8339C.DB2799F0" alt="cid:image001.jpg@01CF48D6.0249B5A0"></span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Jane Bitz<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 9, 2022 9:52 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Release of DSHS Real Property Lien<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">Jakob:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The reason that they can’t collect is that their lien is not enforceable against the surviving spouse. (WAC 182-527-2738(3)(a). If the spouse continues to live at the property with the lien, it will be collected
when the surviving spouse passes away, still owning that house. But the State doesn’t actively collect on these liens, they just wait until the property is sold and their lien is found when the title report is done and dealt with at closing, like any other
lien on the property.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">What I had not seen before is your case where the surviving spouse probates the deceased spouse/Medicaid recipient’s estate and records a Deed transferring the property (or files a Lack of Probate Affidavit?)
and the Office of Financial Recovery agrees to file a Lien Release. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">If that works in these cases, I will be advising clients in this situation to file the Lack of Probate Affidavit and send a copy of the recorded document to OFR requesting that they file a lien release.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Do you think the Petition for a Spousal Award had anything to do with OFR’s response to you? I think that the Spousal Award statute has a specific exemption for DSHS liens for recovery of cost of Medicaid
services.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Jane.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#4472C4">Jane G. Bitz</span></b><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D">Of Counsel | Wolff, Hislop & Crockett, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D">Helping Good People do Great Things!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D">12209 E. Mission Ave., Suite 5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D">Spokane Valley, WA 99206<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D">(509) 927-9700 (Phone)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D">(509) 777-1800 (Fax)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#4472C4"><a href="mailto:jbitz@whc-attorneys.com"><span style="color:#4472C4">jbitz@whc-attorneys.com</span></a> [Email]</span><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></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>Jake Seegmuller<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 8, 2022 5:20 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] Release of DSHS Real Property Lien<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hi Jane,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you for your response. In that scenario your describing does that then result in no payment to DSHS to satisfy their lien? The department simply releases it in full? I am surprised if the department is this relaxed on the recovery
of its costs. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.25pt"><b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#002554"> Jakob O. Seegmuller</span><span style="color:#002554"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.25pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#002554"> Attorney</span><span style="color:#002554"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"> nwlegacylaw.com | 360-975-7770</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<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>Jane Bitz<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 8, 2022 2:50 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] Release of DSHS Real Property Lien<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">My experience is that DSHS will release its lien if the surviving spouse is selling the property, but they have always required that we provide a bona fide offer and closing date. They file a release of the
lien just before closing is scheduled. I have never seen a lien release for the surviving spouse under the circumstances you describe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">However, we don’t ordinarily probate the deceased spouse’s estate because qualification for Medicaid requires all of the couple’s assets to be transferred into the name of the non-applicant spouse. (Except
for one checking account with less than $2,000 in it.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Once the lien is released, it does not ‘follow’ the surviving spouse or show up in his or her later probate, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Jane.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#4472C4">Jane G. Bitz</span></b><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D">Of Counsel | Wolff, Hislop & Crockett, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D">Helping Good People do Great Things!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D">12209 E. Mission Ave., Suite 5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D">Spokane Valley, WA 99206<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D">(509) 927-9700 (Phone)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F497D">(509) 777-1800 (Fax)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<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>Sarah McCarthy<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 8, 2022 1:21 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] Release of DSHS Real Property Lien<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif">How interesting. Please reply to the list!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Sarah O’Farrell McCarthy</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">(Pronouns: she / her)<br>
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Attorney | <span style="color:black">
Kelly, Arndt & Walker, Attorneys at Law, PLLP</span></span><span style="color:#1F497D"><br>
</span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">P.O. Box 290 | 6443 Harding Avenue | Clinton, WA 98236</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">(Located on Whidbey Island, Island County, Washington)<br>
Phone: (360) 341-1515 | Fax: (360) 341-3272</span><span style="color:black"><br>
</span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222"><a href="mailto:sarah@kawlawyers.com">sarah@kawlawyers.com</a></span><span style="color:#1F497D"> </span><span style="color:black">|
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<p class="MsoNormal">On Tue, Mar 8, 2022 at 1:09 PM Jake Seegmuller <<a href="mailto:jake@nwlegacylaw.com">jake@nwlegacylaw.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">Hello learned colleagues,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">We are assisting the surviving spouse (husband) administer the estate of their deceased spouse (wife). The primary asset of the deceased spouse’s estate
is her community property interest in a home owned with the husband – both names on title. DSHS filed a Notice and Statement of Lien in October of 2020 for about $50k. Husband initiated probate proceedings and timely filed a Family Support Award to defeat
some (or all) of the lien. A hearing was set and DSHS properly noticed. Later, DSHS circulated correspondence indicating that stated that they will release their lien without issue if the husband removes the wife’s name from the property through a deed transfer.
The department specifically cited a “Lack of Probate Affidavit” as a mechanism by which to circumvent their lien and the would release it.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">I was not aware that DSHS would release the lien this easily. Have others had experience with this?
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">This raises some interesting questions: If husband removes wife from title and the department releases the lien upon recording and delivery of a copy of
the recorded deed to the department (as indicated in the letter), is the lien avoided? And can this claim follow husband or reappear at his death? Is there a potential the DSHS representative is misstating DSHS’s position on this?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:black">Thanks in advance for your insights on this.
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<b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#002554"> Jakob O. Seegmuller</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:#002554"> Attorney</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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