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<p>Law Office of<br>
<strong>F.ANDREKITA SILVA</strong><br>
<strong>_______________________________________________________ </strong><br>
<br>
June 9, 2022<br>
<br>
Eric,<br>
<br>
I didn’t see that anyone answered your question. I don’t know if there is anything in the probate code that permits attorney fees when collecting a judgment secured in a probate case.<br>
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However, my understanding is that in order to receive legal fees, there has to be a statute, civil rule, or contract, etc. authorizing the award of legal fees. I have secured a writ of execution against real property on two occasions. In each case, we were able to secure an award of legal fees (based on lodestar) because it was in the divorce context. There, the Decree of Disso included an indemnification clause which extended to an award of legal fees if collection action had to be taken to enforce compliance with the terms of the decree, including collection of sums owed.<br>
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There is a great handbook by Phil Talmadge called Attorney Fees in Washington, last updated 2007. He goes through and itemizes every single Washington statute or civil rule that provides a basis for legal fees. He provides a brief description of cases under each statute. I was a subtenant of Karr, Tuttle’s for about 22 years. While I was there, they had a copy of that book in their library. I suspect most large law firms have a copy. If you know anyone at Karr, Tuttle or any large law firm (Perkins Coie, etc.), you can ask them to go check the book for you. <br>
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Under RCW 6.17, 6.25, 6.26, and 6.27, I am only aware of the right to costs and the disappointingly low statutory fee of $300.00<br>
<br>
andrekita<br>
Law Office of F. Andrekita Silva<br>
1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2000<br>
Seattle, Washington 98101<br>
206-224-8288<br>
www.seattle-silvalaw.com<br>
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Quoting Eric Nelsen <<a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</a>>:</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">If judgment is entered awarding attorney fees on a statutory basis (say 11.96A.150), is there case law or other authority that allows the creditor to also collect fees incurred while pursuing collection, as in garnishment related fees, or execution on other property? Or are garnishment fees limited by RCW 6.27.090 to $300 in all circumstances? Is there a rule or comparable statute regarding collection fees for execution on property as well?</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Eric</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Eric C. Nelsen</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">1417 31st Ave South</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">206-625-0092</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</a></p>
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<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.</p>
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