[WSBARP] rejection re Abbreviated Legal Description on recorded document

[TJW]

Hello Joshua,

 

I was taught many years ago to always use the full legal description in all
deeds and contracts, etc. So that has always been my practice. I have never
believed that the abbreviated legal from the Assessor or even a title
company is the correct way to describe the property. But then I'm into this
profession for 50 years now and may just be an old guy that hasn't kept up
with the times.

 

Sincerely,

 

Tom

 

Thomas J. Westbrook

Attorney at Law

 



324 West Bay Drive NW, Suite 201

Olympia, WA 98502

(360) 866-4000 phone

(360) 866--3832 fax

 <http://www.buddbaylaw.com/> www.buddbaylaw.com

 

COVID POLICY:

Our firm continues to follow guidance from the CDC and Governor Inslee's
office regarding social distancing and the wearing of face coverings, and we
encourage the public and our clients to do the same.  Our staff is still
working remotely much of the time so electronic communication by phone and
email continues to be encouraged.  We appreciate your patience and
understanding.

 

 

 

From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>
On Behalf Of Joshua Grant
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2023 3:25 PM
To: wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com
Subject: [WSBARP] rejection re Abbreviated Legal Description on recorded
document

 

I just received a letter from a County Auditor who advised that an
abbreviated legal description I used "is not accurate" citing RCW 65.04.045.
I looked at that statute and see that it was last amended in 2005.
Notwithstanding using, what the county shows as an abbreviated legal on
their Assessor's website, hundreds of times since 2005,  the Auditor now
advises that what must be used is "the name of the Plat, do not use Org. or
Orig Add".  The statute reads"  "abbreviated legal description of the
property" means lot, block, plat, or section, township, range, and
quarter/quarter section,"..  The name of many of the Town "plats" in this
area are shown as Original Addition to the Town of ______.  Or "Railroad
Addition to the Town of ______."  The auditor goes on to say "The Assessor's
website should not be used to obtain property descriptions.  If you need
help with a legal description or an abbreviated legal description, please
contact a title company or surveyor".   My guess is that some memo has come
from the State, possibly the Department of Revenue, Excise Tax section???
Because this isn't a new statute.  It's not bad enough that the recording
fee is now over $200 for the first page. but now we have to get a title
report to record a simple gift deed?

Anyone have any authority to counter the legal advice I have received from
an Auditor's Office?  

Thanks

Josh

 

Joshua F. Grant

P. O. Box 619
Wilbur, WA 99185
509 647 5578

 <mailto:jgrant at advocateslg.com> jgrant at advocateslg.com

 

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