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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Ryan β
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> What a mess. Reminds me of a clause in a will that reads βTo my son-in-law I leave a length of rope long enough to hang himself.β<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Assuming it is a valid codicil, I might be risky to ignore (abstain). Could beneficiary 5 force a vote? Could the four beneficiaries vote to give a modest amount?
Also sounds like beneficiary 4 is getting the dirty end of the stick. There are also the gift tax implications, i.e. giving up a valid interest.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> I would think it best to start with a meeting between beneficiaries 1-4. Recognize this creates a problem to be addressed and see if they can come up with a solution
that can be reduced to writing in an agreement under RCW 11.98A.220 that beneficiary 5 will also sign off on. If they can all reach a consensus, that is always best.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Mark<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Mark C. Vohr, J.D. CPGC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Ohana Fiduciary Corporation<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">A Washington Trust Company<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">155 NE 100<sup>th</sup> St., Suite 209<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Seattle, WA 98125<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Telephone: (206) 782-1189<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Ryan Castle<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, February 7, 2025 9:13 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Unusual Codicil Distribution Scheme Question<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">OK this would make a good bar exam question maybe:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I represent a PR in a large WA testate estate. PR is daughter of deceased. No spouse. PR just appointed by court, no bond, nonintervention. Decedent executed valid Will with attorney representation. Then years later decedent executed valid
codicil without assistance of attorney (!!!). The Codicil has a horrible distribution scheme that reads:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Beneficiary 5 "to receive an amount agreed upon by" PR (also Beneficiary1), Beneficiary 2, Beneficiary 3, and Beneficiary 4 "by mutual decision. PR (Beneficiary 1) is the tie breaker."<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Beneficiary 5's gift would come out of residuary, thereby reducing gifts of other residuary beneficiaries listed in Will. Of the "voting" benes, only bene 4 is a residuary beneficiary. My concern obviously is the discretion given to my
client PR who has fiduciary duties to estate/beneficiaries. I am inclined to advise that my client simply "vote" to follow the original will distribution scheme in order to adhere to her fiduciary duties. The other "voting" beneficiaries seem inclined to do
the same but unsure at this point. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Any advice on how to handle this horribly drafted clause to protect my client? Best if they all simply abstain from voting, assuming they all agree to do that? I assume the "voting" Benes should document their decision via TEDRA Agreement?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="gmailsignatureprefix">-- </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Ryan Castle (he/him)<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Castle Law Firm, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Managing Attorney<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">T: 360-592-3504<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">1313 E. Maple St., Suite 790<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Bellingham, WA 98225<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__ryancastlelawfirm.com_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=K1mLMC1eFjwfeeMM-AC6zQ&m=4bpJF4tssaPRa_EVHGePpnckOE0MD50PB7FJAQFzYzfPO2xt-aghUaCOrCQrNQTH&s=MUKvLpcVejOWN-Wvpa52VOwAelVyywzKcLKleM50w7k&e=" target="_blank">https://ryancastlelawfirm.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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