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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Well, this is interesting. I don’t think an estate does not exist. I think it is created immediately upon the death of a person and consists of all their property not held
(in this example) in trust. Reimbursements owed to the individual decedent are property of the decedent’s estate. Whether that estate is administered or resolved by a small estate affidavit (note word “estate”), or by a court process, there is an estate. The
check is made payable to the estate, and I would defend this approach to the Bar without hesitation – UNLESS there is a missing fact, such as this child is NOT the only heir and there are disinherited heirs at law, say. But in absence of that – on these easy
ones – if I’m representing the one person responsible for resolving the decedent’s estate, then I just cannot imagine why the Bar would object to resolving so easily the joint interests of all parties involved, including the payor. Best, Josh<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>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">From:</span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:none"> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Bruce Moen<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 17, 2023 6:22 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Living Trust issue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m not sure about the IOLTA deposit. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The bank may accept the deposit, but would the Bar Association approve if audited.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Basically, you are negotiating a check to a non-existent payee.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve had this issue and declined the IOLTA option for a payee that I know does not exist.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No harm, no foul? Or a violation?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Does anyone know whether the Bar would approve?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Bruce Moen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">From:</span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">
<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>Joshua McKarcher<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 17, 2023 5:58 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] Living Trust issue<o:p></o:p></span></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">If you represent the estate – which exists whether it is being administered in court or not – by representing its PR, as I suspect you do, then you can deposit the check
to your IOLTA account, let it go collected, and credit it to her next bill or write her a check. Voila!<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">Alternatively, she can persuade her own bank that she is the only beneficiary of the estate via the trust, and maybe they will negotiate it for her if they know her well.<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">Or if there is a trust account, she can try to persuade the bank holding the trust account that the trust is entitled to all property of the estate by virtue of the will.<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 solve these problems with bank relationships, in the end. It’s the easiest and sometimes only option available.<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">Good luck! Best, Josh<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>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">From:</span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">
<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>Jenna Brozik<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 17, 2023 5:30 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] Living Trust issue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hello list mates, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Client’s mother passed away and the mother had a living trust. Client is the Trustee of the Living Trust and only beneficiary. All assets were titled in the Living Trust. However, client received a check in the mail after mother passed
away. Apparently the mother overpaid her healthcare premium and the company issued her a check for the overpayment. The check is made out to the Estate. Client called to ask company to make it out to Living Trust. Company has refused. Company has refused
to reissue the check under any name. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Should client just open up a bank account under the Estate to get this check deposited? No probate is necessary in this case. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";mso-ligatures:none">Jenna Brozik<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Managing Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-ligatures:none">PRINZ & BROZIK PLLC</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-ligatures:none"><br>
445 S. Grand Avenue<br>
Pullman, WA 99163<br>
509-338-0908 Telephone<br>
509-338-3527 Facsimile</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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