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<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_MailEndCompose"><span style="color:#1F497D">Thank you Diane, Roger, and others who responded off list.<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Diane, did your case involve a disclaimer? If so, were you able to reach the beneficiary’s estate share despite the disclaimer and bankruptcy?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">RCW 19.40 (Voidable Transactions Act) reads as though it would apply even though the liability would come not from a business transaction but from a tort claim by one individual against another. My analysis,
though, is that when an asset is properly disclaimed, the disclaimant makes no transfer within the meaning of RCW 19.40 since under the disclaimer statute the disclaimant is treated as having died BEFORE the asset is transferred. Legally, the disclaimant
makes no transfer at all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">RCW 19.40.011(17) "Transfer" means every mode, direct or indirect, absolute or conditional, voluntary or involuntary, of disposing of or parting with an asset or an interest in an asset, and includes payment
of money, release, lease, license, and creation of a lien or other encumbrance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">BUT,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">RCW 11.86.041(1) Unless the instrument creating an interest directs to the contrary,
<u>the interest disclaimed shall pass as if the beneficiary had died immediately prior to the date of the transfer of the interest. The disclaimer shall relate back to this date for all purposes.</u> [underline added.]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Therefore, I don’t think it should matter whether the disclaimer is made after the disclaimant knew or should have known they would incur a debt, since the disclaimer of interest relates back to prior to any
transfer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Any thoughts? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Sara Longley<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Sara D. Longley<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Senior Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Ivy Law Group, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">1734 NW Market Street<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Seattle, WA 98107<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Phone: (206) 706-2909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:sara@ivylawgroup.com"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">sara@ivylawgroup.com</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow",sans-serif;color:#76923C"><img border="0" width="122" height="107" id="_x0000_i1026" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D8F29B.534E6950" alt="cid:image001.jpg@01CF48D6.0249B5A0"></span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">NOTE: Ivy Law Group offices will be closed November 11, 14, and 22-25.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Diane J. Kiepe<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Sunday, November 6, 2022 3:18 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Can a disclaimer shield assets from creditors?<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:"Times New Roman",serif">Sara,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I think the focus here would be if it might be pulled back in by the laws related to Washington Voidable Transfer Laws RCW 19.40.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I believe the bankruptcy cases would most apply when you are doing your analysis because in essence, I think, if you walk it all the way through you would first assume judgement,
consider how to avoid satisfying judgement (and bankruptcy may play a rule here – my memory is foggy). I had a case with other counsel with me where we were winning the judgement, no doubt and the defendant, for the end, hired a bankruptcy lawyer. We expressed
our concern with this and in the end the judgement for us was found and when it comes time to settle up the estate we get to satisfy the judgement for that person from that person’s share.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold"">Diane J. Kiepe<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold""><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Diane J. Kiepe<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Douglas Eden<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">717 W. Sprague Ave.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Suite 1500<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Spokane, WA 99201<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:djkiepe@depdslaw.com">djkiepe@depdslaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">509-455-5300<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">
wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Roger Hawkes<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Saturday, November 5, 2022 1:46 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Can a disclaimer shield assets from creditors?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sara: no similar experience here; but my vote would be that the disclaimer does not shield that asset from collection; it won’t hurt however,
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">
wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Sara Longley<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, November 4, 2022 4:52 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Can a disclaimer shield assets from creditors?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hello listmates,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here is your Friday afternoon head-scratcher.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Washington’s disclaimer statute, RCW 11.86, allows an estate beneficiary to disclaim any interest and states (11.86.041(1)) that such disclaimed interest shall pass as if the beneficiary had died immediately prior to the date of the transfer
of the interest. In effect, it is as if the beneficiary never had a right to the disclaimed property.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My question: where an estate beneficiary is a defendant in a personal injury lawsuit at the time Decedent dies, can the beneficiary shield his inheritance from a later-entered judgment in favor of the tort plaintiffs by disclaiming it?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My hypothetical client is the alternate beneficiary who would inherit the estate property should the primary beneficiary disclaim it. Will this hypothetical client be free of liability to the primary beneficiary’s judgment creditors?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have reviewed several bankruptcy court cases in which a disclaimer is held to be effective to shelter disclaimed estate assets from bankruptcy creditors where the bankruptcy is filed after the disclaimer. However, they all depend on
the bankruptcy code’s reference to state law, which in turn brings in state-authorized disclaimers. I have also read a Tax Court case which holds that a disclaimer is NOT effective to shield disclaimed assets from a tax lien in existence at the time the disclaimer
is made, which rests its holding on the Internal Revenue Code’s reference to federal, not state, law: because the IRC does not specifically exempt disclaimed property from collection, such property is deemed available to satisfy a tax debt.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My case is neither bankruptcy nor tax. The events resulting in the ongoing lawsuit occurred prior to the Decedent’s death. Do any of you have experience with a similar matter or know of relevant case law?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sara Longley<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Sara D. Longley<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Senior Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Ivy Law Group, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">1734 NW Market Street<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Seattle, WA 98107<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Phone: (206) 706-2909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><a href="mailto:sara@ivylawgroup.com">sara@ivylawgroup.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow",sans-serif;color:#76923C"><img border="0" width="122" height="107" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D8F29B.534E6950"></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">NOTE: Ivy Law Group offices will be closed November 11, 14, and 22-25.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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