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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The “wife” should complete a small estate affidavit. That provides legal protection from liability for the custodian of a decedent’s asset who transfers personal property in reliance on the affidavit.
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.62&full=true#11.62.020">
RCW 11.62.020</a>.<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"><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>Amy Goertz<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 19, 2025 10:32 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Duty to Deliver Assets to "wife"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Good Morning,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">I had a caller today whose neighbor died several months ago. He had very little, but had an old car and an RV that he gave to the caller and her husband before he died.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">He had a bank account with about $20k, which had a TOD beneficiary of his Aunt, which was paid directly to the Aunt by the bank.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">He had a newer car with an outstanding loan - that vehicle was repossessed by the bank.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">She received a call from a woman who was just released from prison and is purporting to be this man’s wife and says she wants his stuff.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">When they cleaned out his rental home, they found tax returns for the last several years that all indicate “single” as his status. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">They found an Idaho marriage license from 2004 but no marriage certificate.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">She is uncertain of what her duty to deliver or not deliver the assets to the “wife.” She called the police about the situation and the police officer said the wife did not have to prove her status to her.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Any suggestions? She does not want this newly released from prison woman coming around for the belongings but also wants to do what is right.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks in advance for your thoughts.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Amy<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:black">Amy J. Goertz, J.D.</span></i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:black">Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC</span></i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="mailto:amyjgoertz@icloud.com">amyjgoertz@icloud.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">1.888.926.2607 phone<br>
1.877.684.1627 fax<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Address for correspondence:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">2829 S. Grand Blvd., Suite 303<br>
Spokane, WA 99203 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Additional office locations:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">510 Bell Street<br>
Edmonds, WA 98020<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="http://www.goertzlambrecht.com/">www.goertzlambrecht.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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