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<p class="MsoNormal">Yes, the statutes definitely allow that. Under current TEDRA procedure, the family support award petition always has to be a separate action, even when there is a probate. (Stupid rule, but that’s a rant for another day.) So I think the
petition can just be filed, and when the entire estate is effectively going to go to the surviving spouse as the support award, there’s no need for a separate probate.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<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>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Jon Fritzler<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, May 16, 2022 5:09 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Award to Surviving Spouse without Probate?<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;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Listmates:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The only asset in client’s deceased wife’s estate is their residence. Years ago he quitclaimed the residence to his wife as her “separate property” when they were refinancing
because he had bad credit and hers was much better. Arguably, the house is actually community property but the deed says it’s her separate property. Wife died without a Will and there is no community property agreement. They had one child together. Wife
had no other children. Under the laws of intestacy, wife’s separate property would go 50% to client and 50% to their child. Client is estranged from the child, who is an adult and is homeless.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Value of the residence is below the median value of a house in the county so a family support award to the client would result in the client being the sole owner of the house.
RCW 11.54.010(3) says that an award to spouse “may be made whether or not probate proceedings have been commenced.” Assuming notice is given to the child, can a petition be filed to award ownership of the house to client be made without opening a probate
even though the house would otherwise be a probate asset? Has anyone out there tried it before?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Sincerely,<br>
Jon M. Fritzler<br>
Attorney at Law<br>
717 E. 22<sup>nd</sup> St.<br>
Vancouver, WA 98663<br>
Tel. 360.818.4431<br>
Eml <a href="mailto:fritzlerlaw@outlook.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">fritzlerlaw@outlook.com</span></a><br>
<br>
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for delivering the email to the addressee, you are hereby notified that reading, using, copying, distributing or disseminating this communication is strictly prohibited. If you think that you have received this email message in error, please email the sender
at <a href="mailto:fritzlerlaw@outlook.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">fritzlerlaw@outlook.com</span></a>. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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