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<p class="MsoNormal">Tom, did you get any response? My thoughts for what it’s worth:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">First thought is that maybe client doesn’t need to do anything at all? Just stop paying and ignore the debt, if it’s no longer enforceable under statute of limitations. But you probably already thought of that and there is a separate reason
to affirmatively cancel it via a court action.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Second thought—statute of limitations resets each time a payment is tendered or the debt is reaffirmed by a statement acknowledging the debt, so if the creditor could make any argument that a payment or reaffirmation statement was made
within the last six years, then maybe better to wait longer. Did any of the attempts to locate the creditor in the past few years include statements to the creditor that could be construed as reaffirming the debt? Such as a letter mailed to the creditor that
might have actually reached them such that they could produce it in event of a lawsuit....<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Third thought—I think this would be a declaratory judgment action under
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=7.24&full=true">Ch. 7.24 RCW</a>, since client isn’t really asking for a judgment against the creditor, so much as a ruling that the statute of limitations bars the creditor’s enforcement of the debt. Or
is this a secured debt, and you need to extinguish a security interest as well? Then a quiet title action under
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=7.28&full=true">Ch. 7.28 RCW</a> would probably be the route, and the judgment that the debt is barred would go along with extinguishment of the cloud on title.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last thought—Given the impossibility of finding the creditor in order to serve the Summons and Complaint, I think it’s going to be tough to commence an action based on declaratory judgment, because I don’t think the situation allows for
publication of summons. The creditor’s absence doesn’t appear to fall into any of the categories authorizing publication under
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=4.28.100">RCW 4.28.100</a>. However, if there is a security interest you’re trying to extinguish, that would be a basis for publication of summons under RCW 4.28.100(6).<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>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background:aqua;mso-highlight: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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Tom Lee<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, April 7, 2022 4:08 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com>; WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] RCW 4.16.040 action (I think) - thoughts?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Listmates, <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Years ago, a client's business agreed to pay a former partner X amount of money. Paid former partner Y amount, and then checks started being returned about seven years ago. I believe it has been over six years since any payments were last
made: multiple attempts to locate creditor/former partner, including with investigators - nothing, this person has Judge Crater'd off the earth. Only heir has not responded after about 4 years of attempts to contact. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">My initial thought is to cancel this obligation with an action under RCW 4.16.040:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">The following actions shall be commenced within six years:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">(1) An action upon a contract in writing, or liability express or implied arising out of a written agreement, except as provided for
in RCW<span class="gmail-apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=64.04.007"><b><span style="color:#2B674D;text-decoration:none">64.04.007</span></b></a>(2).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">(2) An action upon an account receivable. For purposes of this section, an account receivable is any obligation for payment incurred
in the ordinary course of the claimant's business or profession, whether arising from one or more transactions and whether or not earned by performance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">(3) An action for the rents and profits or for the use and occupation of real estate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thoughts on this? advice? <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">-- <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p style="margin:0in"><b><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#17365D;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">TOM LEE</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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