<div dir="ltr"><div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:"trebuchet ms",sans-serif;font-size:large">I was in Island County superior court a while back - I think it was last year - when one of the judges rejected another attorney's petition to open a double probate, on the basis that there is no statutory authority or case law supporting it. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:"trebuchet ms",sans-serif;font-size:large"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:"trebuchet ms",sans-serif;font-size:large">There may be a growing trend among judges to reject these. I wonder if they have set up their own listserv. ;) </div><br clear="all"></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt"><b><span style="color:black"><font face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif">Sarah O’Farrell McCarthy</font></span></b></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt"><font face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif"><font color="#000000"><b>(Pronouns: she / her)<br></b></font>Attorney*, Partner | <font color="#000000">Kelly, Arndt & Walker, <font color="#000000">Attorneys at Law, PLLP</font></font><font color="#000000"></font><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><br></span><span style="color:black"><span style="color:black"><font color="#000000">P.O. Box 290 | </font></span></span></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)">6443 Harding Avenue |</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)"> </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)">Clinton, WA 98236</span></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000" face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif"><span style="color:black"><span style="color:black"><font color="#000000"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"></span></font></span></span>(Located on Whidbey Island, Island County, Washington)</font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000" face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif">* Licensed to practice in Washington (active) and California (inactive)<br><span style="color:black">Phone: (360) 341-1515 | Fax: (360) 341-3272<br><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><a><font color="#222222">sarah@kawlawyers.com</font></a> <font color="#000000">| <span style="color:black"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><font color="#000000"><a href="http://www.kawlawyers.com" target="_blank">www.kawlawyers.com</a></font></span></span></font></span></span></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></p><font size="3"><font size="3"><font size="3"><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt"><font color="#0000ff" face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:7.5pt"><b>IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR DELIVERIES TO THIS OFFICE: </b></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt"><font color="#0000ff" face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:7.5pt"><b>For delivery by USPS, please send to PO Box 290, Clinton, WA 98236.</b></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt"><font color="#0000ff" face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:7.5pt"><b>For delivery by UPS or FedEX, please send to 6443 Harding Ave, Clinton WA 98236.</b></span></font></p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);margin:0in 0in 0pt"><font face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125);font-size:7.5pt">This electronic message transmission contains information from the law firm of Kelly, Arndt & Walker, PLLP which may be confidential or privileged. This information is intended to be for the use of the individual or entity named above, If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any further review, disclosure, printing, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this transmission is prohibited. If you have received this electronic message transmission in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and delete the original message. Thank you</span><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125);font-size:8pt">. </span></font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif"></font><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);margin:0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color:rgb(68,84,106);font-size:7.5pt"><font><font face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif">We do not accept service of any kind by e-mail unless expressly authorized in writing by the attorney of record. This e-mail is NOT a contract and is not binding upon the author pursuant to CR 2A. This e-mail is, at most, a negotiation under ER 408.</font><br></font></span></p></font></font></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Jun 1, 2026 at 7:03 AM Ryan Castle <<a href="mailto:ryan@ryancastlelawfirm.com">ryan@ryancastlelawfirm.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">I don't do double probates for this reason. You never know what you're going to get from the court because there is no authority on point either way, that I am aware of. Sure, it is an extra filing fee, but worth avoiding the risk of headache and more fees down the line to clean it up. You could try lack of probate affidavit for spouse 1, but some title companies have trouble with that. I just keep it clean and kosher with two separate probates. I explain these options to my clients and they always want to go the clean and kosher route to avoid risk. </div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, May 31, 2026 at 1:58 PM Diane Kiepe <<a href="mailto:diane@kiepelaw.com" target="_blank">diane@kiepelaw.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">Oh my - I have done it but I also completed two separate filings in one of my cases because of creditor claim issues. I haven't received pushback to date but you never know what will come from the bench.</div><br clear="all"></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="color:rgb(56,118,29);font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:large">Diane Kiepe</span></div><div><font color="#38761d" face="georgia, serif" size="4">Kiepe Estate and Probate, PLLC<br></font><div><font size="4" face="georgia, serif" color="#38761d"><a href="mailto:diane@kiepelaw.com" target="_blank">diane@kiepelaw.com</a></font></div><div><font size="4" face="georgia, serif" color="#38761d">200 N. Mullan Rd., Suite 203</font></div><div><font size="4" face="georgia, serif" color="#38761d">Spokane Valley, WA 99206</font></div></div><div><span style="color:rgb(56,118,29);font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:large">509-280-6414</span></div><div><div><span style="color:rgb(105,105,105);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:10px">Confidentiality</span><span style="color:rgb(105,105,105);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:10px"> Notice: This page and any accompanying documents contain information that is </span><span style="color:rgb(105,105,105);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:10px">confidential</span><span style="color:rgb(105,105,105);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:10px">, privileged, or exempt from disclosure under applicable law and is intended for the exclusive use of the addressee. This information is private and protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information in any manner is strictly prohibited.</span></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, May 31, 2026 at 12:07 PM James Dolan <<a href="mailto:jbdolan@jbdolan.com" target="_blank">jbdolan@jbdolan.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div>
<div lang="EN-US">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">I’m recalling that this topic has been discussed some time ago on this listserv:<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">Spouse 1 dies intestate. All finances are jointly owned or have Spouse 2 named as Beneficiary. Their house is jointly owned Community Property. Spouse 1 has
no children. No probate. Spouse 2 goes on living for another 7 years.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">Spouse 2 dies testate.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">We attempt to open probate in the name of both Spouse 1 and Spouse 2 for the purpose of having PR appointed to sell the house. I have done this 10-12 times over
the past 20 years with no problem. Until last Friday. Judge says judge has conducted judge’s own research and cannot find any legal authority that allows a double probate. I ask the judge if the judge has found any legal authority that prohibits it. Nope.
I inform the judge that I have done this several times. Judge says “Because ‘you’ve done it before’ doesn’t mean it is appropriate.”<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">Another attorney who is present on a different matter graciously attempts to rescue me, spontaneously approaches the bench and informs the court, on the record,
that this attorney has also done research on this question, has found no case law or statutes on point, and further informs the court that she also has done several double probates with no problem.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">I ask the judge what alternatives the judge thinks would be appropriate. The judge says that the PR can do a Lack of Probate Affidavit to convey the real property
from Spouse 1 to Spouse 2. I ask the judge what would be the benefit of doing it that way. (Full disclosure – at this point I may have sounded a bit irritated.) Judge ignores my question and calls the next case.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">My questions for all of you smarter than me people:<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1">
<li style="color:rgb(14,40,65);margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Have any of you done this before?<u></u><u></u></span></li><li style="color:rgb(14,40,65);margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">If so, have you ever encountered resistance from the bench?<u></u><u></u></span></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">Thanks for your thoughts.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">Jim Dolan<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">=========================<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">Jones Butler Dolan, PS<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">P.O. Box 458<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">10027 SR 532<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">Stanwood, WA 98292<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">(tel) 360-336-2939<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(14,40,65)">(fax) 360-336-2949<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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