<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div>I did check the title. It is in Mother-in-law’s name. The taxpayer is indicated as “Estate of Mother-in-Law.”</div><div><br></div><div>The house is just a few doors down from the former PR, so she takes at least some care of the house, lawn, etc.</div><div><br></div><div>There was no probate of Kid A, client’s wife.</div><div><br></div><div>Kid C died in 2022 and a probate was done by his sister, Kid B, same P.R. as for mother-in-law’s estate. </div><div><br></div><div>Client reports that Kid B bamboozled decent Kid C’s son into signing a Receipt for his distributive share of his father’s estate.</div><div><br></div><div>I haven’t done a Partition action so that would be an interesting avenue.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br>
<div><br><blockquote type="cite"><div>On Sep 12, 2023, at 10:40 AM, Eric Nelsen <eric@sayrelawoffices.com> wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div><meta charset="UTF-8"><div class="WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">My alarms are going off—there a lot of gaps in this story. My first thought is that somebody was at least paying property taxes, otherwise it would have been lost to property tax foreclosure many years ago. Also, why is this coming up now, 15 years after mother-in-law’s death and 10 years after the death of Kid A (client’s wife)?<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Assuming I got an advance fee deposit up front to cover all my time, I think I’d investigate the status of title on the house, and go look at its actual condition, before deciding what to do. Why hasn’t it gone into foreclosure? Any records of who was paying property taxes? Is it boarded up? Any power or water service? Anybody maintaining the yard?<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">From an inheritance perspective, I wonder if a title company would require re-opening the mother-in-law’s probate in order to have a deed issued. But determining grantees in the deed would be problematic since Kid A and Kid C are both now deceased. Was there a probate of Kid A’s estate in 2013, and if so, did it make any claim to an interest in mother-in-law’s house?<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Also, why did Kid C’s son sign a receipt? What did that signify; was there a probate of Kid C’s estate, and if so, did it make a claim to the house? Is Kid C’s son barred by the receipt from pursuing an interest, or is there a fraud claim, or simply an undetermined interest that was not addressed in handling Kid C’s estate?<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Keeping in mind this is real estate and RCW 11.04.250 operates automatically to transfer property pursuant to intestacy, even without a probate, it’s possible that the heirs of Kid A, the heirs of Kid C, and Kid B are all co-owners of the property at this time.<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Besides re-opening mother-in-law’s probate, perhaps a probate of Kid A’s estate would be needed. Maybe a probate of Kid C as well. But if the title lines up okay, perhaps it also would be possible to shortcut to a partition action and force a sale to distribute to Kid B, Kid A’s heirs, and Kid C’s heirs. Plus maybe some fiduciary claims against Kid B? And some kind of reimbursement right to whomever has been paying property taxes?<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Eric<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div><div style="border-width: 1pt medium medium; border-style: solid none none; border-color: rgb(225, 225, 225) currentcolor currentcolor; border-image: none; padding: 3pt 0in 0in;"><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>From:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>On Behalf Of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>Amy Goertz<br><b>Sent:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Tuesday, September 12, 2023 9:42 AM<br><b>To:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[WSBAPT] Old Probate<o:p></o:p></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Good morning, Listers -<o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I have a situation on which I could use some input:<o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I got a call from a potential client. His mother-in-law died in 2008. She had three children, Kid A (Client'’s wife), Kid B, and Kid C. Kid B was handling the estate with the assistance of an attorney. <o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The probate was started in 2008. Mother-in-law’s Will calls for property to be sold and divided among the three kids evenly.<o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Years went by and PR Kid Bl told Client’s wife that if she objected/complained, she would only get $1 so she did not complain or demand her share of the estate.<o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">In 2011 the clerk’s office sent a Notice that they were going to close the probate file due to lack of activity. PR's attorney filed a Declaration of Completion.<o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Client’s wife died in 2013. To client''s recollection, she never received Notice about the probate nor any share of the estate.<o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Kid C died in 2022. Kid Bl handled this probate as well and apparently took all the stuff, but she had Kid C’s son sign a receipt of distributive share so I guess that ship has sailed.<o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Mother-in-lawl’s house is still sitting vacant after all these years, still in her name.<o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Client wants his wife’s one-third share of the house.<o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">What would be the best course of action? Re-open the probate and appoint Don as PR?<o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I imagine Kid B would not be too happy about this but oddly, to client’s knowledge the house is just vacant - not rented out or lived in at all.<o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I would appreciate any suggestions you might have.<o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";">Amy J. Goertz, J.D.</span></i><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";">Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC</span></i><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:amyjgoertz@icloud.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">amyjgoertz@icloud.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.888.926.2607 phone<br>1.877.684.1627 fax<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">Address for correspondence:<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">2829 S. Grand Blvd., Suite 303<br>Spokane, WA 99203 <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">Additional office locations:<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">510 Bell Street<br>Edmonds, WA 98020<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.goertzlambrecht.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">www.goertzlambrecht.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; 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