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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>First, is there a Will? I assume not. The ex-spouse is not an heir under RCW 11.04.015. No where does it mention people in a long-term committed intimate relationship. That concept is a family law matter used by Courts to divide assets when the relationship fails. Do not let that theory be introduced in a probate proceeding. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As such, the ex-spouse has no standing in the decedent’s probate. No notice to that person is required. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jeff Davis.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>W. Jeff Davis<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>BELL & DAVIS PLLC</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'><br>P.O. Box 510<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'>720 E. Washington Street, Suite 105<br>Sequim WA 98382<br>Phone: (360) 683.1129 <br>Fax: (360) 683.1258 <br>email: </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'><a href="mailto:jeff@bellanddavispllc.com">jeff@bellanddavispllc.com</a><span style='color:black'><br></span></span><a href="http://www.bellanddavispllc.com/" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:blue'>www.bellanddavispllc.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'><br> <br>The information contained in this e-mail message may be privileged, confidential, and protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited. If you think that you have received this e-mail message in error, please e-mail the sender at </span><a href="mailto:info@bellanddavispllc.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:blue'>info@bellanddavispllc.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black'> or call 360.683.1129.</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><o:p> </o:p></b></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>msafren@jennylinglaw.com<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 16, 2022 9:23 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv' <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Opening a Probate where there may be a committed intimate relationship and community property claims<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hello Fellow Listervers;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I had a probate questions/ issue that I wanted to solicit your advice and suggestions. Client seeks to open probate for an estate where the decedent had a long-term relationship with an ex-spouse. Even after the divorce where the property was apportioned between the decedent and ex-spouse, the ex-spouse moved in with the decedent and lived with the decedent for many more years and was financially supported by the decedent.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I’m believe that the ex-spouse may attempt to claim a community property interest in some of the estate assets by asserting a committed intimate relationship with the decedent. My question is how to approach the petition and the notice requirements.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Do I list the ex-spouse as a beneficiary of the estate due to a potential community property interest in some of the estate assets? Is the ex-spouse due any notice of the proceedings? Can the ex-spouse sign a disclaimer / disclaim their interests in their claims for community property?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If anyone has a moment, I would really appreciate a few moments of your time to discuss this from a procedural standpoint.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you in advance!! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Warmest regards,<br><br></span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:purple'>Michael S. Safren, Esq.</span></b> <b><br></b><i>Attorney at Law</i> <br><br>14900 Interurban Ave. S., Ste. 280 | Seattle, WA 98168 <br>11900 NE 1st St., Bldg. G - Ste. 300 | Bellevue, WA 98005 <br>P: (206) 859-5098 | E: <a href="mailto:msafren@jennylinglaw.com" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>msafren@jennylinglaw.com</span></a> <br><u><a href="http://www.jennylinglaw.com/" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>www.jennylinglaw.com</span></a></u> | <u><a href="http://www.facebook.com/jennylinglaw/" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>facebook.com/jennylinglaw/</span></a></u> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><br><span style='font-size:8.0pt'>This communication, including attachments, may contain information that is confidential and protected by the attorney/client or other privileges. It constitutes non-public information intended to be conveyed only to the designated recipient(s). If the reader or recipient of this communication is not the intended recipient, an employee or agent of the intended recipient who is responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, or you believe that you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and promptly delete this e-mail, including attachments without reading or saving them in any manner. The unauthorized use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of this e-mail, including attachments, is prohibited and may be unlawful. Receipt by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is not a waiver of any attorney/client or other privilege.</span> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>