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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>I had this happen once before, several years ago. It was particularly tragic in our case because the client committed suicide just a week or so before she was to be deposed. Fortunately in our case, I had a good relationship going with counsel for the two separate defendants, and they were both very understanding and sympathetic, even asking me to convey their condolences to the plaintiff’s family. They immediately and very graciously agreed to informally “suspend” all active motions and other litigation issues to give the family time to figure out if they wanted to proceed and while we got the plaintiff’s daughter appointed as PR. Absent agreement by defense counsel, I would just bring a motion to continue the hearing on the Motion to Compel, including a Motion to Shorten Time if necessary, or at least bring it up in your Response to the Motion. But honestly, I would be surprised if defense counsel really wants to push forward with their Motion to Compel with a deceased plaintiff. I guess that’s a long way of saying, call defense counsel first, tell them what’s going on, and informally ask for some additional time to deal with the unexpected death of the plaintiff. My guess is that defense counsel will be professional about it and oblige you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Aita<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>---------</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>This e-mail is covered by the U.S. Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521. This e-mail was sent by an attorney or his agent, is intended only for the addressee's use, and may contain confidential information and/or information protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, nor the employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination or copying of this transmission (including any attachments) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please delete it and immediately notify the sender by reply e-mail. Thank you.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>P. Stephen Aita</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Attorney at Law</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Admitted in Washington & Idaho</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>3010 Harborview Dr., Suite 301</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Gig Harbor, WA 98335-1977</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Tel.: (253) 858-5434</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Fax: (253) 276-2373</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><a href="steve@aitalaw.com">steve@aitalaw.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><a href="www.aitalaw.com">www.aitalaw.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><a href="www.facebook.com/aitalaw">www.facebook.com/aitalaw</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Inge Fordham<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 16, 2022 2:22 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Client Death During Active Case<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Colleagues,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have an active case with a pending motion where my client just passed away. This is a first for me. I obviously need to commence probate ASAP and have a PR appointed for the estate. My question is concerning the active case in which the client was a plaintiff and counterclaim defendant – how do I notify the court the court of my client’s death and address the pending motion? (The pending motion is to compel discovery responses and my client is obviously not going to be able to provide responses). My client’s family does not want to continue pursuing claims but the defendant/counterclaim plaintiff may choose to pursue claims against the estate (in lieu of the plaintiff himself). I would imagine there is an issue as to the real party in interest. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks in advance for any advice.<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><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=60 valign=top style='width:45.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times;color:black'><img border=0 width=96 height=95 style='width:1.0in;height:.9895in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D83952.57487EE0" alt="uc%3fexport=download&id=1W3rEcChy0_E0cCfV5up02mkhwnL6eWIs&revid=0B4P5JoIHdbFaR29EbHlRWHFseFV5STZpSUVGeUNPWldkVDFVPQ"></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=570 valign=top style='width:427.25pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#203864'>Inge A. Fordham | Attorney</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:black'>Fordham Law, PLLC</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:black'>3218 Sixth Avenue | Tacoma, WA 98406</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:black'>Office: (253) 348-2657 | Mobile: (206) 778-3131</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:black'><a href="http://www.fordhamlegal.com">www.fordhamlegal.com</a></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#7D888E'>Confidential Communication:</span></b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#7D888E'> This email is sent to a recipient on behalf of an attorney/law firm, and is information intended exclusively for the individual, entity or company to which it is sent. 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