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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Unless they established common law marriage in a state that allows for it (Washington doesn’t) and then moved here, they are unmarried and the survivor has no statutory rights of inheritance, whether by small
estate affidavit or otherwise.<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">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</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>Fern Herbert<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, April 25, 2025 2:18 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] QUESTION ON COMMON LAW MARRIAGE AND INTESTATE PROBATE<br>
<b>Importance:</b> High<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Hello Listmates,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Client's partner of 20 years, 6 of them living together, died intestate. No official domestic partnership. Assets of about $67 in the bank. Does he have any right to claim in a Small Estate Affidavit under the
common law, or will this just escheat to the state?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Any thoughts are welcome...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">Fern Herbert</span></b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">Managing Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">Zenith Law Group, PLLC</span></b><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">Business Mailing Address</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">4320 196th St. SW B-712</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black">Lynnwood, WA 98036</span></b><span style="font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">Phone/Fax: (425) 822-6311</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">Office locations in: Arlington, Bellevue, Bothell, Everett, Kirkland, Lynnwood, Mt. Vernon, Renton, downtown Seattle</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">*The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for
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as Domestic and International Laws and Treaties. If you have received the communication in error, please immediately notify Zenith Law Group by telephone call to (206) 686-7373.*<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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