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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Down here in Oregon, we have a formal ethics opinion from the Oregon State Bar that one client who wears two different hats need not hire more than one attorney.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">In Formal Opinion No. 2005-119, the Oregon State Bar ruled:</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">It follows that when Lawyer A represents Widow as an individual and Widow in her capacity as personal representative, Lawyer A has only one client. Alternatively stated, the fact
that Widow may have multiple interests as an individual and as a fiduciary does not mean that Lawyer A has more than one client, even if Widow’s personal interests may conflict with her obligations as a fiduciary. Representing one person who acts in several
different capacities is not the same as representing several different people. Consequently, the current-client conflict rules in Oregon RPC 1.7, do not apply to Lawyer A’s situation. (Citations omitted)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> The same result is reached by Formal Opinion No. 1991-119.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Attorneys are not allowed to have conflicts of interest, but fiduciaries are permitted to have conflicts of interest. For example, I can serve as PR of my mother’s estate
while also being beneficiary. An attorney does not have a conflict of interest merely because the client has a conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The law in Washington is less clear about representing a client who wears two hats.
<span style="color:black">In a 2001 Washington disciplinary case, a lawyer was disciplined for representing a client both as executor of an estate and in her individual capacity claiming a bank account that was the major asset of the estate. The client claimed
that she was added as owner to the bank account during her father’s life, and the other beneficiaries contested her claim. That ruling is of limited assistance because the attorney
<u>stipulated</u> to the presence of a conflict, and thus that issue was not discussed in any detail.
</span><a href="https://www.mywsba.org/DisciplineNotice/DisciplineDetail.aspx?dID=436">https://www.mywsba.org/DisciplineNotice/DisciplineDetail.aspx?dID=436</a><span style="color:black"> . As a result, I believe that there is no authority on this issue in
Washington. There should be. (If you are aware of any authority, please speak up.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Karen Boxx and I spoke on this issue at the 2016 Seattle estate planning seminar. You might be able to find our materials.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Prof. Boxx and I also wrote a detailed article on this subject.
</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Janus as a Client: Ethical Obligations When Your Client Plays Two Roles in One Fiduciary Estate, <em>American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Law Journal</em>, Vol. 39, No. 3, 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I do not understand why some attorneys claim that the one client needs two attorneys. What happens if the two attorneys give conflicting advice? Is a third attorney then
hired? The mind reels.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In my opinion, the WSBA legal ethics committee should issue a ruling along the lines of the Oregon ruling. This issue needs to be put to rest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Phil Jones</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Philip N. Jones<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Duffy Kekel LLP<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">900 S.W. Fifth Ave. Suite 2500<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Portland, OR 97204<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:pjones@duffykekel.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">pjones@duffykekel.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">(503) 226-1371 – office<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">(503) 853-1482 – cell<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">(503) 226-3574 - fax<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Shannon Jones<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 13, 2023 12:05 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] PR as Creditor<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I usually advise my PR client to engage another attorney to file the required TEDRA and present at hearing because of the apparent if not actual conflict of interest in filing that for the PR as a creditor - Shannon<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <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>Dalynne Singleton<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 13, 2023 11:57 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Timothy Lehr <<a href="mailto:timothy@stileslaw.com">timothy@stileslaw.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] PR as Creditor<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">You have to file TEDRA pursuant to the RCW 11 statute. I have done this before, but it has been awhile and I can search and share those pleadings with you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">PR as creditor is required to file TEDRA, you then note for hearing and serve the other heirs. If the brother were reached and signed off in agreement, you could do a TEDRA agreement and avoid filing the
TEDRA but sounds like that won’t work here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Dalynne Singleton</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Gourley Law Group</span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Snohomish Escrow</span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">The Exchange Connection</span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">1002 10<sup>th</sup> Street / PO Box 1091</span><span style="color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Snohomish, WA 98291</span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">360.568.5065</span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="mailto:dalynne@glgmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1">dalynne@glgmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Website:
</span></u><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="http://www.glglawgroup.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">www.glglawgroup.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Attorney/client meetings will be handled by teleconference or virtually whenever possible. If you would like to set a telephone conference, zoom, or in person
meeting, please call or email one my paralegals <a href="mailto:selina@glgmail.com">
selina@glgmail.com</a> or <a href="mailto:elle@glgmail.com">elle@glgmail.com</a>. My legal assistant can be reached at
<a href="mailto:paige@glgmail.com">paige@glgmail.com</a>. Co-counsel Anna Thompson can be reached at
<a href="mailto:anna@glgmail.com">anna@glgmail.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:Californian;color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">LICENSED IN WASHINGTON</span></i><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <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>michael westseattleattorney.com<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 13, 2023 11:47 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] PR as Creditor<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Please post to list<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black">From:</span></b><span style="color:black">
<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>> on behalf of Timothy Lehr <<a href="mailto:timothy@stileslaw.com">timothy@stileslaw.com</a>><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 13, 2023 11:28 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] PR as Creditor</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="xmsonormal">All,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">PR of an estate has filed her own creditor’s claim pro se, seeking reimbursement for caregiving of the decedent for a number of years. PR is a registered nurse and was full-time caregiver for mom. Only other heir of estate is her brother
who has been in and out of jail in multiple states. We’re going through the due diligence process to try to find him. Estate is ready to sell the last asset (house) and close out estate.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">I’ve never had a PR also be a creditor. There’s clearly a conflict here for PR to accept the claim and I’m wondering what the best way to address the issue. My initial thought is note up a hearing, give notice to other heir (whether by
publication or otherwise), submit the facts and let the court make a decision on whether to accept or reject it since the PR/creditor would obviously like to accept. The claim is in an amount that would likely take most, if not all, of the estate assets.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">Any thoughts on how to proceed without any conflicts for myself or PR?
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><b>Timothy C. Lehr</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">Attorney & Partner<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">p: 360.855.0131<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">e: <a href="mailto:timothy@stileslaw.com">timothy@stileslaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">w: <a href="http://www.stileslaw.com/">www.stileslaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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