[WSBARP] rejection re Abbreviated Legal Description on recorded document

Tue Sep 19 08:45:11 PDT 2023

I would simply add that I have established relationships with a couple
different title companies and when I am doing a transfer I am able to
obtain a property report from the title company at no charge. Yes, it takes
an extra step of me writing to them but what I get in return is their
internal report and then a copy of the last recorded Deed or DOT.

The various recording entities are truly modern day examples of a fiefdom
that just love to keep people on their toes.

Good luck!!

*Brent Williams-Ruth* (pronouns: he/him)
*Attorney-At-Law*

*Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth, **a division of BWR Consulting, PLLC*

*Physical Address: 500 S 336th Street, Suite 214; Federal Way, WA 98003*

***EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY** All mail sent through the USPS should be sent to
the following address: **PO BOX 3319; Federal Way, WA 98063 *

Office/Scheduling Phone: (253) 285-7751

Direct: (253) 285-7453

e-mail <Brent at Williams-RuthLaw.com> / website
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<http://www.facebook.com/bwrlaw> /

On Tue, Sep 19, 2023 at 8:33 AM Craig Gourley <craig at glgmail.com> wrote:

> As another old guy, I am with Tom. I never use an abbreviated legal
> description except on the first page if the true legal is large and needs
> to be an exhibit. I also never trust anything on the assessor's web site as
> having any legal authority.  If I can't get a legal description from the
> title company I use the legal contained in the last recorded deed or DOT
> with the disclaimer to the client that it may not be accurate due to BLA's
> or easements recorded subsequent to the recording of the source document
> and they instruct me to use it anyway.
>
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> Get Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <
> wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> on behalf of TJW <tjw at w3net.net>
> *Sent:* Monday, September 18, 2023 5:44:22 PM
> *To:* 'WSBA Real Property Listserv' <wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [WSBARP] rejection re Abbreviated Legal Description on
> recorded document
>
>
> 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
>
> www.buddbaylaw.com
>
>
>
> COVID POLICY:
>
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>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *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
>
> jgrant at advocateslg.com
>
>
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