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<div class="pre" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: monospace"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Law Office of </span><br /><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">F.ANDREKITA SILVA</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">_______________________________________________________ </span> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">February 23, 2024</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Joshua,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you so much!! </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel somewhat encouraged that you don’t think the word “trust,” “trustee”, and/ or “Trustor” need to be actually stated. You also don’t seem bothered that he was clearly trying to create a Last Will.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I did look up RCW 11.98.014. It only requires that the terms of the trust be established by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence. There are no cases under that oral trust statute. There are some really old cases that deal with “oral trusts.” I haven’t had a chance to look at those yet.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven’t seen the video recording yet, I’ve only reviewed the transcript (which was transcribed by a notary public.) My current client, the aunt, is very credible. I have no reason to doubt that the other two witnesses are not reliable. The deceased’s intent for his property is really clear.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a shame that no one wrote out what he said, as he said it, and as it was being recorded. But, to be honest, I’m amazed they even thought to record his last wishes. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I guess what I’m wondering is, why every written will that has a defect (like maybe one witness instead of two,) couldn’t become an “oral trust”? If it could be proved that the testator read his/her Will out loud before signing it, would that otherwise invalid Will become a trust? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In my case, deceased clearly wants the house and business to be maintained or manage for his son by his sister. There is an interest in a home that was deeded by his father to him and his other siblings, and he ways what he wants to have happen with his interest in that home. He addresses some other personal property and is really clear he wants no interference and/ or involvement by the ex-wife.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I am going to read all the old cases I can find (because I'm not seeing current ones on the horizon...) </span></div>
<div class="pre" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: monospace"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But, do you think it is possible to distinguish my client’s oral language from the written words of a failed Will? </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">andrekita </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Law Office of F. Andrekita Silva</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 940</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Seattle, Washington 98101-2509</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">206-224-8288</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:ak@seattle-silvalaw.com">ak@seattle-silvalaw.com</a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">On 2024-02-22 06:56, Joshua McKarcher wrote:</span>
<blockquote type="cite" style="padding: 0 0.4em; border-left: #1010ff 2px solid; margin: 0"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Andrekita, </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I was immediately hooked by this fact pattern but could not sit down</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">to think about it until now. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I think the word “text” in our electronic wills statute is going</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">to be difficult to overcome, even if this audio-video “record” is</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">authenticated by the testator and two witnesses (if, say they say</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">their names and that they were there for entire video’s making). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But at least I finally had time to dig into 11.98 and I think you at</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">least must dig into the possibility of having an oral trust under</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Washington law if decedent was at his death domiciled in Washington,</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">as I assume. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.98.014" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.98.014</a> and then</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">go backward to the provisions regarding creation of a trust. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It strikes me that you very well may get a court to find without</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">stretching anything too far that he was creating a trust without</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">saying the word trust, which I don’t see being required. There seems</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">a clear identification of property, a named trustee, a named</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">beneficiary, etc. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But any case law or persuasive judicial gloss on these provisions</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">above seems likely to be the key. (I went to law school in the other</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Washington (DC), however, so I don’t know Washington law on this</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">topic at all, and I don’t know the professors and others on this</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">list well enough to ask them to suggest cases.) </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyhow, you (from this list) "know me by now." I’d write more if I</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">could 🫣😬, as I'm all excited and intrigued. But I’m barely</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">keeping up this week as it is. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If any of that is a start, great. If I've merely excitedly related the</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">most obvious of provisions and starting points to zero benefit, well,</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">then, shoot...😉 </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Assuming this video and the people involved are legit, of course, then</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope this works. I would love to know what you find out, even if</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">you’re game simply to share a controlling WA case or something. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(Aside: It’s so unfortunate they didn’t know to have someone</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">transcribe his words even in a rudimentary form and do a basic</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(Washington compliant) electronic will, which would’ve been easily</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">provable even though executed and witnessed abroad with a remote</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">notary from any of our offices or even an online RON service for $50</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">or so. Alas.) </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Godspeed! Best, Josh </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Joshua D. McKarcher </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">McKarcher Law PLLC </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">537 6th Street </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Clarkston, WA 99403 </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(509) 758-3345 </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(509) 758-3314 (fax) </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:josh@mckarcherlaw.com">josh@mckarcherlaw.com</a> </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mckarcherlaw.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.mckarcherlaw.com</a> [<a href="http://www.mckarcherlaw.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">1</a>] </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">-------------------------</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">From: <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>> on behalf of Andrekita Silva</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><<a href="mailto:ak@seattle-silvalaw.com">ak@seattle-silvalaw.com</a>></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 4:36 AM</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Subject: [WSBAPT] What are the specific requirements for creation of a</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">trust? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Law Office of </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">F.ANDREKITA SILVA</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">_______________________________________________________ </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">February 21, 2024</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Listserve,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">What are the specific requirements for creation of a trust?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A client of mine (in a guardianship matter), had an appendectomy</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(while in a foreign country.) The surgery went fine but a day or so</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">later, he took a turn for the worse. His sister flew to keep him</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">company and to care for IP. Client realized he had no Will and that</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">maybe he should write one upon returning home. But, he was</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">deteriorating at such a pace, that he asked to record his wishes while</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">still there at the hospital. Sister calls notary public who video</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">tapes Client's statement in the presence of 2 witnesses (so, sister,</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">notary, and ambulance driver present). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">He indicates his house #72 & his Towing business should be managed by</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">his sister for his son (who is IP). He identifies some other property</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">and says what should happen to it. Everything else he leaves to IP.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">He does not mention 2 of his other children. He wants sister to be</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Guardian for IP. He dies within an hour. He says "I love you all.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Goodbye." He knew he would die momentarily.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I know this is not a valid Will. But, what is required to create a</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">valid trust? He never uses the word "trust" "Trustor" or "trustee."</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">No titles changed because he died too soon. It was clear from the</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">statement that Client was trying to create a WILL. But, Can this</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">recorded oral statement be considered a trust? Can the recorded</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">statement be used to transfer title, at minimum, to the house and</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">business/business assets to IP? Or, is it just too bad and everything</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">passes by intestate succession? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">At this point, it doesn't look like foreign country recognizes oral</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">wills. </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(sorry if this is duplicative. I first sent this out using someone</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">elses subject line...)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">andrekita </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Law Office of F. Andrekita Silva</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 940</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Seattle, Washington 98101-2509</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">206-224-8288</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:ak@seattle-silvalaw.com">ak@seattle-silvalaw.com</a> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Links:</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">------</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">[1] <a href="http://www.mckarcherlaw.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">http://www.mckarcherlaw.com</a></span></blockquote>
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