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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello Everyone,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I wanted to seek the collective listserv’s wisdom on a possible notice of appointment of Personal Representative issue. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Quick summary:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Decedent left all their assets to a non-relative friend through the decedent’s will. Friend believes that decedent may still have living relatives in another state or states, but isn’t sure of any of the identities or names or contact information for possible living relatives (if any exists). A search of the decedent’s papers, records, and correspondence has not revealed the names or identities of any relatives. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Per RCW 11.28.237, all beneficiaries and those who would have been heirs at law had there been no will are due notice of the PR’s appointment within 20 days. Yet, without any knowledge or information about possible relatives, the PR is concerned that the PR is unable to comply with RCW 11.28.237.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Case law appears to limit the PR’s responsibility to 'make an earnest effort in the course of his trust to determine who would be lawfully entitled to the estate.'" In re Estate of Little, 127 Wn. App. 915, 923, 113 P.3d 505 (2005) (quoting Hesthagen v. Harby, 78 Wn.2d 934, 941, 481 P.2d 438 (1971). However, it is unclear if there is any safe harbor or specific steps that a PR can take to insulate themselves from claims that they failed to exercise reasonable diligence in attempting to locate and notify any relatives who may have been heirs at law should the decedent have died without a will. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Questions:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Does anyone have suggestions how to comply with RCW 11.28.237 in these circumstances and demonstrate reasonable diligence? Can a notice of appointment be published in a newspaper a la RCW 4.28.100? Without any names, it is unclear where to even begin a search for living relatives. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Any ideas, suggestions, or opinions are welcome. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks!!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Kind regards, </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:purple'>Michael S. Safren, Esq.</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> <b><br></b><i>Attorney at Law</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><img width=800 height=400 style='width:8.3333in;height:4.1666in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DB4BDC.C87F0EE0"><br><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/14900+Interurban+Ave.+S.,+Ste.+280+%7C+Seattle,+WA+98168?entry=gmail&source=g" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>14900 Interurban Ave. S., Ste. 280 | Seattle, WA 98168</span></a> <br><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/11900+NE+1st+St.,+Bldg.+G+-+Ste.+300?entry=gmail&source=g" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>11900 NE 1st St., Bldg. 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