<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ligatures:none;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal">Arg. I don’t think this issue has been addressed in a reported case yet, but I know I’ve had discussions with other attorneys about it being a potential problem in TEDRA proceedings. This might be an appealable issue.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think the TEDRA statutes, and especially the notice-by-mail rules in
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.96A.110">RCW 11.96A.110</a>, impliedly assume that no more than in rem jurisdiction is necessary to resolve a TEDRA matter. I think it
<i>could</i> be argued that .110 does not establish personal jurisdiction over <i>
any</i> party so served, even those residing in-state, much less out of state.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think it’s a stretch to think that our appellate courts would interpret .110 as a combined in-state and long-arm statute that establishes personal jurisdiction. Even CR 4(d)(4) allowing service by mail to create personal jurisdiction
is constrained to the circumstances where a person could otherwise be served by publication under
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=4.28.100">RCW 4.28.100</a>. Those are pretty limited circumstances and the typical TEDRA matter doesn’t fit well within them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But in rem jurisdiction would mean that the Court can only redirect or reallocate assets, and can’t enter a judgment directly against a party (other than the PR). So if the party is entitled to a share of an estate, the court could impose
an offset against their share, but couldn’t impose a judgment in excess of the amount they otherwise would receive from the estate.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That in turn implies more broadly that any TEDRA judgment purporting to place a personal obligation on a party lacks the necessary jurisdiction. That probably includes attorney fees under RCW 11.96A.150.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For this reason, when initiating a TEDRA it might be prudent to selectively serve some parties with service of process under
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=4.28">Ch. 4.28 RCW</a> rather than by mail under .110.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However—personal jurisdiction is also a waivable defense, and I don’t see many TEDRA parties raise jurisdictional issues in their initial filings. From Washington Civil Procedure Deskbook (WSBA) (3d ed. 2014) Chapter 12.6:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">Prior to the adoption of the civil rules, if a defendant entered a general notice of appearance, it waived its right to assert the defense that the court lacked jurisdiction over it.
<u>DiBernardo-Wallace v. Gullo</u>, 34 Wn.App. 362, 364, 661 P.2d 991 (1983). That is no longer the case. Defendants who enter a general notice of appearance retain the ability to argue that the court does not have jurisdiction over them.
<u>Id</u>. However, CR 12(h)(1) requires that this affirmative defense be made by motion or in the answer or else it is waived.
<u>In re Schneider</u>, 173 Wn.2d 353, 362, 268 P.2d 215 (2011). Engaging in discovery that relates to the defense will not result in waiver.
<u>Crouch v. Friedman</u>, 51 Wn.App. 731, 735, 754 P.2d 1299 (1988). Whether engaging in discovery that does not relate to the defense will waive the defense, even if properly asserted, is not definitively answered by the reported cases.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<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>Shannon Jones<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, June 1, 2023 4:02 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] in personum jurisdiction under TEDRA<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listmates, Is there no authority for in personam jurisdiction under TEDRA of an out-of-state “party” as defined under TEDRA but WA’s long arm statute? The asset involved is an investment account. The deceased lived in WA. The asset was
claimed by the surviving spouse as part of the mandated family support award with notice to a potential beneficiary who resides outside WA. The asset was unclaimed when the beneficiary was served with the TEDRA petition, it was still in decedent’s name. Before
the hearing, the beneficiary took control and possession of the asset. The court granted the family support award based on the proceeding being “in rem,” and ordered beneficiary to return the asset to the surviving spouse. Beneficiary continues to claim the
court had no “in personam” jurisdiction, appealing the court order.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="127" valign="top" style="width:95.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><img border="0" width="115" height="83" style="width:1.1979in;height:.8645in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D994A6.12E0E1B0"></span><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="511" colspan="2" valign="top" style="width:383.4pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#323E4F;mso-ligatures:none">Shannon R. Jones | Attorney
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#323E4F;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#323E4F;mso-ligatures:none">Campbell Barnett PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Direct: 253.848.3515<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Office: 253.848.3513| Fax: 253.845.4941</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">317 South Meridian</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Puyallup, WA 98371</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><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:shannonj@campbellbarnettlaw.com"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#2F5496">shannonj@campbellbarnettlaw.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#4472C4;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://campbellbarnettlaw.com/"><span style="color:#4472C4">campbellbarnettlaw.com</span></a></span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="595" colspan="2" valign="top" style="width:6.2in;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">This transmission contains confidential attorney-client communications and may not be disclosed to any person but the intended recipient(s).
If this matter is transmitted to you in error, please delete and notify the sender immediately.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="43" valign="top" style="width:.45in;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#222A35;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="130" style="width:97.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
<td width="386" style="width:289.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
<td width="38" style="width:28.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>