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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Hi Dwight--I'll bite. I may not be right, but I have an argument from authority.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">If CPA was executed first, and then parties filed for and obtained a Decree of Legal Separation that separated their property interests by Decree, that is evidence of mutual intent to repudiate the CPA, I would
argue under <u>Higgins v. Stafford</u>, 123 Wn.2d 160, 866 P.2d 31 (1994).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I would argue that the whole CPA was repudiated thereby, not just one or another of the prongs of the contract, based on
<u>In re Brown's Estate</u>, 29 Wn.2d 20, 185 P.2d 125 (1947) (CPA contract is not divisible; it stands or falls as a whole).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">See also RCW 26.16.120, "...</span>
<span style="color:#1F497D">Such [CPA] shall not...be construed to curtail the powers of the superior court to set aside or cancel such agreement for fraud or under some other recognized head of equity jurisdiction, at the suit of either party..." and divorce/legal
separation is, I think, a "recognized head of equity jurisdiction."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">However, since the marriage still exists, non-vested spouse still inherits a portion of separate property under RCW 11.04.015(1)(b)-(d). That's not because of the CPA, though; that's just one of the critical
distinctions between divorce and legal separation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:red">Please Note that We Have Moved.</span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">We have moved our Seattle office to Mount Baker Ridge (a small commercial community just above the I-90 tunnel).
<b>Our new address is 1417 31st Avenue South, Seattle WA 98144. </b>All other contact information remains the same.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Bickel, Dwight<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, May 03, 2017 3:18 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property Listserv<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] Effect of Decree of Separation on Intestate Succession<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is unsettling to discover that you may have been wrong about something for decades. Hopefully, one of you can respond confirming the correct answer.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Community property, clearly created by recorded CPA.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then a Decree of Legal Separation. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The relevant real property is vested to one spouse as separate, with only a lien given to the other spouse for specific payment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Vested spouse dies, intestate.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My research today leads me to conclude that the non-vested spouse is a surviving spouse entitled to inherit the property. That is not the answer I expected. The other heirs of vested spouse aren’t going to like that. Can anyone confirm
that is correct, or refer me to authority.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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