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<p>Law Office of<br>
<strong>F.ANDREKITA SILVA</strong><br>
<strong>_______________________________________________________ </strong><br>
<br>
July 19, 2023<br>
<br>
Heather,<br>
<br>
You indicated that the couple made improvements to the husband’s separate property (home) during their 44 years of marriage. If these were actual improvements and not just maintenance, if this were a divorce, the wife would clearly have an equitable lien (or right of reimbursement). Depending on certain factors, the wife could have an equitable lien even if there weren’t actual improvements.<br>
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You should look up the 2017 unpublished case of Washburn v Davis. It discusses the fact pattern and refers to a bunch of other published cases on this issue.<br>
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If the couple made improvements, Wife would prove her equitable lien by hiring an expert (appraiser) to give an opinion on what the value is/was of each separate improvement. So, if the parties added a room and poured a driveway where there was only dirt, and this was done with community funds, what value did the room add to the real property? What value did the new driveway add? <br>
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If this were a 3 bedroom home and the cost to rent comparable property was far less than the mortgage payments, then wife might have a right of reimbursement. If the couple was getting a deal on their monthly housing costs because the 44 year old mortgage was a drop in the bucket compared to present fair rental value, then wife owed nothing for monthly housing contributions even though the community contributed to the mortgage for 30-40 years. <br>
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Anyway, read the Washburn case and you’ll have an idea of what surviving spouse must do to prove an equitable lien. It seems like it would be pretty harsh if surviving spouse gets nothing just because her spouse of 44 years died instead of the marriage ending in a divorce.<br>
<br>
andrekita<br>
Law Office of F. Andrekita Silva<br>
1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 940<br>
Seattle, Washington 98101-2509<br>
206-224-8288<br>
<a href="http://www.seattle-silvalaw.com/">www.seattle-silvalaw.com</a><br>
<br>
PLEASE NOTE: I’ve moved to a different floor. As of April 20, 2023, my Suite number is 940 (no longer 2000). My new address is: 1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 940 Seattle, Washington 98101-2509. All other contact information remains the same.<br>
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Quoting Heather de Vrieze <<a href="mailto:heatherd@westseattlelaw.com">heatherd@westseattlelaw.com</a>>:</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Is there any good case law or more general guidance about how to value a community property lien on property titled only in one spouse (now deceased)? That is, how much of the current value should still be considered separate property. I remember a fairly recent case where this was relevant, but am not finding it quickly.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Spouse died after 44 year marriage, having lived the entirety of the marriage in home purchased 9 months before marriage. Improvements during marriage by spouse not on title. No Will. Surviving spouse aware that there is in issue with their name not being on title, but convinced they have an ownership interest in the property. Separate kids disagree.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Heather</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Vladimir Script";color:#1F497D'>Heather S. de Vrieze</span><br>
<i><span style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D'>Attorney-at-Law</span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">3909 California Avenue SW</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">Seattle, WA 98116-3705 </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">(206)938-5500</span></p>
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<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></p>
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