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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I think still unsure because not enough facts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">House is presumed to be separate property of decedent because decedent entered title before marriage. General rule is that it remains separate property
in the absence of a deed executed with intent to change character to community.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">That said, if there is a
<b><i>purchase money mortgage</i></b> on the property, payments made using community funds arguably create a “community right of equitable reimbursement, secured by an equitable lien on the separate property real estate.” If the mortgage is just a HELOC or
other non-purchase loan and isn’t related to the purchase, payments on it may or may not be reimbursable to the community.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Refinancing can make the question of “purchase money mortgage or not?” tricky. In general I look at the balances of each refinance to see if they were
taking out cash or just refinancing to get a better interest rate. I do my best to trace the purchase-related balance through refinances.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Other direct contributions of community funds to real estate expenses, like paying property taxes and insurance and performing repairs, maintenance,
and renovations, can also cause a right to reimbursement of the community.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">HOWEVER, if the marital couple lived in the house, all those community contributions of funds must be offset by the value received by the community for
living there. That value could partly or completely offset the equitable right of reimbursement. Generally the measure is something akin to a “rental value” as if the community were renting the property from the decedent’s separate property estate.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">All of this is very fuzzy and arguable—it’s a question of equity, to be sure—and might require a decision by a judge if the parties can’t reach an agreement on what is a fair amount of reimbursable community
interest in the property.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#467886">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><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>Jon Fritzler<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, February 26, 2025 3:55 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Separate or Community Property or both?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Decedent and Surviving Spouse (SS) were married for 22 years. Decedent owned a house prior to marriage but mortgage payments were made throughout the marriage. (There is still a
balance owed on a mortgage.) Is the entire house separate property because decedent purchased it prior to the marriage or is it community property to the extent that mortgage payments were made during the marriage? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">It matters because the decedent died intestate and never had any children but his siblings are entitled to 25% of his separate property pursuant to RCW 11.04.015. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<div id="Signature">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Jon M. Fritzler<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">Attorney at Law</span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p style="background:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">11015 NE Fourth Plain Blvd., Suite D</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Vancouver, WA 98662<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">Tel. 360.818.4431<br>
Eml <a href="mailto:fritzlerlaw@outlook.com" target="_blank">fritzlerlaw@outlook.com</a></span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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