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<p class="MsoNormal">Correct, unless the actual Decree is entered, the parties are still married and surviving spouse still retains all rights. A divorce action immediately abates at death of a party.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dissolution actions abate entirely upon the <b>death of a party</b>, unless third party rights in property are involved.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Clingan v. Department of Labor & Indus</i>., 71 Wn. App. 590, 593, 860 P.2d 417 (1993);
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<i>Standard Ins. Co. v. Schwalbe</i>, 110 Wn.2d 520, 526, 755 P.2d 802 (1988)<br>
<i>Crockett v. Crockett</i>, 27 Wn.2d 877, 181 P.2d 180 (1947); <i><br>
Dougherty v. Dougherty</i>, 24 Wn.2d 811, 167 P.2d 467 (1946);<i><br>
McPherson v. McPherson</i>, 200 Wash. 365, 93 P.2d 428 (1939);<i><br>
Masterson v. Ogden</i>, 78 Wash. 644, 139 Pac. 654 (1914)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A limited partial exception to this rule is if there is a separation contract already executed by all parties. Technically the surviving spouse is still the surviving spouse under the law, but they may have waived or released spousal rights
in the separation contract; it depends on the specific terms in the contract.<o:p></o:p></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>Ryan Castle<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, December 12, 2025 8:58 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Spouse dies during Divorce Proceedings...Survivor still a spouse per will?<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">All,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">A new issue for me that I want to confirm with the group. Spouse dies while in 4 year long dissolution proceeding with surviving spouse. Dissolution still not final. Deceased spouse has will listing deceased spouse's father as PR. Per RCW
11.12.051 and 11.07.010, survivor spouse still inherits under will and nonprobate assets as spouse, and survivor spouse is not revoked as beneficiary, correct? Or does the mere fact of dissolution proceedings revoke the survivor spouse's inheritance under
the will? (will has no provision stating that the survivor still inherits even if divorced).<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><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"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Ryan Castle <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://ryancastlelawfirm.com/" target="_blank">https://ryancastlelawfirm.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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