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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Anna,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The 401(k) may or may not be a probate asset. Whether or not the decedent named a beneficiary, most plan documents identify default beneficiaries, and there is no rhyme nor reason to these. I have seen one
where the estate was second in line after a spouse, others where the estate was fourth or fifth, after spouse, descendants, parents, siblings. . . so, you need to see the plan document. This will be easier (but not as easy as it should be) with an open probate
and Personal Representative.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Heather<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Vladimir Script";color:#1F497D">Heather S. de Vrieze</span><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:#1F497D"><br>
</span></b><i><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D">Attorney-at-Law<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D"><img width="189" height="105" style="width:1.9666in;height:1.0916in" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D9F2DC.1C984B50"></span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">3909 California Avenue SW<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">Seattle, WA 98116-3705
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">(206)938-5500
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<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><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.westseattlelaw.com/"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">www.westseattlelaw.com</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002E8A">Click here to connect with de Vrieze | Carney on Facebook:
</span></b><b><span style="color:#1F497D"> </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DeVriezeCarney"><b><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="72" height="21" style="width:.75in;height:.2166in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.png@01D9F2DC.1C984B50" alt="FB Logo"></span></b></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:#A6A6A6"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Nyala;color:red">FYI – Heather will be out of the Office September 5-22.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#C00000"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:#A6A6A6"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:#A6A6A6">CONFIDENTIAL & PRIVILEGED. This e-mail message may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately
and delete all copies of this e-mail message and any attachment.</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><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>Anna Van Pelt<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, September 29, 2023 1:38 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] 401K without a beneficiary<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I'm in a debate with an HR administrator and hoping someone has encountered this before. It's a first for me. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Intestate decedent failed to name any beneficiary on their 401K. They are survived by their spouse and minor child. HR administrator says the financial institution can name a beneficiary if there isn't one; I'm concerned that it needs to
go through probate. FWIW there is other separately owned real estate that is also requiring probate. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Has anyone else encountered this? <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Anna<br clear="all">
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<p class="MsoNormal">Van Pelt Law <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">(206) 635-7250<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.vanpeltlegal.com" target="_blank">www.vanpeltlegal.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: </span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black"><br>
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<p><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP:<br>
</span></i></b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:black">This e-mail does not in any way intend to provide legal advice to be relied upon by any recipient and does not create any duty or obligation for legal representation on behalf of the sender Van Pelt Law
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