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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I do everything I can to deed these into an RLT
<u>if</u> they are <u>recorded</u> real property interests. If you ask the client to bring you the most recent paperwork, payment stub, letter, email, “whatever you have,” then you will often get at least one piece of data you need to find a payor in the relevant
state who can quickly answer the relevant questions.<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">The basic job is to determine if this is a
<u>recorded interest</u> (next move: deed into RLT to avoid probate in that state, which will be FAR HARDER) or if this is not a recorded interest but simply a
<u>right to payment</u> pursuant to the books and records of some company acting as agent or trustee for the person or entity that formally holds the recorded real property interest.<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">That latter phrase sounds more complicated than it is. In those cases, 90% of the time, a visit to a website or a call to the payor’s office reveals that the client’s fiduciary
<u>will</u> one day be able to update the “payee” after the interest-holder’s death, without a probate.
<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">Often in those cases the third party requests a death certificate, a copy of a will (please nobody blast me for that; I’m merely reporting
<u>facts</u>), copy of a trust, or other documents made relevant not by their state’s probate/trust laws, but by their
<u>contract</u> with the interest holder, or the terms of a <u>trust</u> that actually holds the real property interest for the benefit of thousands of fractional interest holders.<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">So, after many years of noodling with these things, I have found the path above to be fairly straightforward:
<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">1. Contact the payor if possible to ask “what is this”? (Website, phone number, email.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">2. Is it recorded (and subject to probate)? If yes, deed to trust if at all possible, with local counsel. If no, proceed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">3. Is it subject to probate nonetheless? If yes, deed to trust if at all possible, with local counsel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">4. Is it simply a matter of some company’s books and records being updated to their satisfaction pursuant to a contract or trust or other non-state-probate-law authority?
If yes, then ask them what the process will be and act accordingly.<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">Hope that helps! 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>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none">Joshua D. McKarcher<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none">McKarcher Law PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none">537 6th Street<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none">Clarkston, WA 99403<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none">(509) 758-3345<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none">(509) 758-3314 (fax)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:josh@mckarcherlaw.com"><span style="color:#0086F0">josh@mckarcherlaw.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="http://www.mckarcherlaw.com/"><span style="color:#0086F0">www.mckarcherlaw.com</span></a><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>Doehne, Jen<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, May 15, 2023 11:51 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] oil & gas leases to be titled in living trust<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I agree with Heather and would add that I have many clients with a vague notion that they receive income from the oil/gas interests but have no idea any other details…so there is typically a great deal of research involved in these cases
and sometimes communication with the correct contact at the oil/gas company is also difficult.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That being said, these clients are pretty much in agreement that they would rather deal with it now, rather than have their heirs deal with it later…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Jen Doehne, Attorney<br>
Pronouns she/her/hers<br>
<img border="0" width="211" height="68" style="width:2.2023in;height:.7083in" id="_x0000_i1027" src="cid:image003.png@01D98728.4FF5CA10"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">909 A Street, Suite 600 | Tacoma, WA 98402<br>
phone 253.572.4500 | fax 253.272.5732 |</span><span style="color:#777777;mso-ligatures:none">
</span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:#777777;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="http://www.eisenhowerlaw.com/"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#C00000;text-decoration:none">www.eisenhowerlaw.com</span></a></span><span style="mso-ligatures:none">
<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>Heather de Vrieze<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, May 15, 2023 11:30 AM<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] oil & gas leases to be titled in living trust<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Only cons are costs, as usually it requires hiring Texas counsel and preparing and recording deeds, then updating all of the companies paying the leases or royalties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Heather<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Vladimir Script";color:#1F497D">Heather S. de Vrieze</span><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:#1F497D"><br>
</span></b><i><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D">Attorney-at-Law</span></i><i><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none"><img border="0" width="189" height="105" style="width:1.9702in;height:1.0952in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image004.jpg@01D98728.4FF5CA10"></span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">3909 California Avenue SW<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">Seattle, WA 98116-3705
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">(206)938-5500
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:heatherd@westseattlelaw.com"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">heatherd@westseattlelaw.com</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.westseattlelaw.com/"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">www.westseattlelaw.com</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002E8A">Click here to connect with de Vrieze | Carney on Facebook:
</span><span style="color:#1F497D"> </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DeVriezeCarney"><b><span style="color:blue;mso-ligatures:none;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="72" height="21" style="width:.75in;height:.2202in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image005.png@01D98728.4FF5CA10" alt="FB Logo"></span></b></a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:#A6A6A6">CONFIDENTIAL & PRIVILEGED. This e-mail message may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately
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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, May 15, 2023 11:05 AM<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] oil & gas leases to be titled in living trust<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My clients, who are married, own a couple of Texas oil & gas leases in which they receive about $300-$400 in income each year. They would like to title these in the name of their Living Trust.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Has anyone dealt with these before and titling them in a Living Trust? Any cons to doing so?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks, <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>
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