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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Hi Fern,<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">If the estate is under $100K and no real property a small estate affidavit ought to do the trick. In the alternative, to take advantage of the Creditor Claim statute (which
I always think is a good idea – well nearly always), she can open a probate under RCW 11.28.120(2)€ which does provide for a niece to serve. In your petition just cite facts of there being no surviving parties ahead of her to serve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<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"><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Fern Herbert<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, March 31, 2023 5:10 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] AUNT DIED INTESTATE - WHAT DOES NIECE DO??<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Hello Listmates:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">This one has me stumped. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Aunt died intestate. Niece is the only surviving relative.
<b>Estate is under $100K.</b> <span class="contentpasted1"><span style="background:white">Outside of probate, is there a legal proceeding that would allow the niece to administer the estate and get it settled? </span></span><span class="contentpasted0"><span style="background:white">She
was listed as the emergency contact but that's all. </span></span>I do not see any provision for a niece in the intestate line of succession. This woman needs to lay her aunt to rest and get her estate settled, but there does not seem to be any provision
in the law for her to recover any expenses that she may take out of pocket to do this. Will the estate go to the State? <span class="contentpasted2"><span style="background:white"> </span></span><span class="contentpasted0"><span style="background:white">Is
there a way for her to be reimbursed for her aunt's final expenses?</span></span><span class="contentpasted2"><span style="background:white"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Input from colleagues is appreciated. I may be missing something.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">Fern Herbert</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">Managing Attorney</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">Zenith Law Group, PLLC</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Business Mailing Address</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">4320 196th St. SW B-712</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">Lynnwood, WA 98036</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Office locations in: Arlington, Bellevue, Bothell, Everett, Kirkland, Lynnwood, Mt. Vernon, Renton, downtown Seattle</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">*The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering it
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