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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello Fellow Practitioners,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have some questions about the effect of an on-going lawsuit against the decedent with respect to claims, liabilities, and solvency of the decedent’s estate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Summary of Facts:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Decedent was involved in a personal injury case and person who claimed sued decedent prior to decedent’s death. The case is active and on-going and as such, total liability is undetermined yet and as well as issues of fault and possible defenses. At this time is anticipated that a successful claim by the plaintiff would likely exceed the liability insurance coverage- leaving potential liability for any judgment or settlement to the estate. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Giving the uncertainty of the outcome of the lawsuit, when petitioning the court to open probate, need this case and potential liability resulting from the case, be disclosed as part of the petition? If so, would it affect the determination of solvency at this time, given that there has been no resolution or determination in the personal injury case?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The only information I was able to find in my searches are RCW 11.40.060, which only appears to speak to the time limits for claims involving liability or casualty insurance—Limitations—Exceptions to time limits, and RCW 11.76.190 addressing the procedure on contingent and disputed claim at the closing or settlement of the estate, but these were unhelpful at this time. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Any guidance or information on these questions and concerns would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Kind regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:purple;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:purple;mso-ligatures:none'>Michael S. Safren, Esq.</span></b><span style='mso-ligatures:none'> <b><br></b><i>Attorney at Law</i> <br><br>14900 Interurban Ave. S., Ste. 280 | Seattle, WA 98168 <br>11900 NE 1st St., Bldg. G - Ste. 300 | Bellevue, WA 98005 <br>P: (206) 859-5098 | E: <a href="mailto:msafren@jennylinglaw.com" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>msafren@jennylinglaw.com</span></a> <br><u><a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jennylinglaw.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7CRDavis%40PointB.com%7C09f06d8fc21343f7d50e08dabd0fae32%7C2e0d020c53684963a29544297d7fd521%7C0%7C0%7C638030172332719745%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=w4v8s0oIdGOmlIxoPTmmCS%2FoV%2FLKHXQ4dTdw6ghJMp0%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>www.jennylinglaw.com</span></a></u> | <u><a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjennylinglaw%2F&data=05%7C01%7CRDavis%40PointB.com%7C09f06d8fc21343f7d50e08dabd0fae32%7C2e0d020c53684963a29544297d7fd521%7C0%7C0%7C638030172332719745%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=50WCIVR7ralxmVjZhjtlAAfzzEkiEb0FbhAowaMlps8%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>facebook.com/jennylinglaw/</span></a></u> <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'><br></span><span style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>This communication, including attachments, may contain information that is confidential and protected by the attorney/client or other privileges. It constitutes non-public information intended to be conveyed only to the designated recipient(s). If the reader or recipient of this communication is not the intended recipient, an employee or agent of the intended recipient who is responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, or you believe that you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and promptly delete this e-mail, including attachments without reading or saving them in any manner. The unauthorized use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of this e-mail, including attachments, is prohibited and may be unlawful. Receipt by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is not a waiver of any attorney/client or other privilege.</span><span style='mso-ligatures:none'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>