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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello Everyone:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have a hypothetical low income client who is the sole heir at law to her daughter’s estate. Daughter died intestate. Estate has 2 assets – a home which is slightly “under water” and a very small 401(k) account which designates the client as beneficiary. The lender sent a Notice of Pre-Foreclosure Options to the family because of failure of the decedent to make a mortgage payment. Neither the client nor the estate has the money to pay for a probate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Question 1 – if the client walks away from the estate, and allows the house to go into foreclosure, are there any negative ramifications for the client? She has already received the distribution from the 401(k). <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Question 2 -- Client has access to the house. Can client (who is the only heir) take possession of the personal property of decedent before bank forecloses – in other words, can she and the other family members who all get along clear everything out the house without a probate? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I’d appreciate your thoughts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>--Margaret<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>--<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Law Office of Margaret Delp<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2815 Howard Road, Second Floor<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>P.O. Box 292<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Langley, WA 98260<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(360) 579-4530 (telephone)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(360) 512-3114 (facsimile)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This email is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. Sections 2510-2521, and is legally privileged. This email was sent by an attorney or her agent, is intended only for the addressee's use, and may contain confidential and privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, reproduction or other use of the information contained in this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please delete it and immediately notify the sender by reply email. Thank you for your cooperation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>