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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:blue">I had a case like this, defendant, Seller, who refused to authorize return of earnest money to buyer (tree fell on house prior to closing), argued that the PSA provides that in an action commenced
by buyer or seller, prevailing party entitled to attorney fees, and that the interpleader action was not commenced by buyer or seller, so no atty fees should be awarded. We won the attorney fee issue by arguing attorney fees should be awarded to buyer (prevailing
party) under the small claims statute (RCW 4.84.250) and won, Seller appealed to Div. III and Div. III revered. I don’t recall why because I did not handle the appeal.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"TypoUpright BT";color:blue">Jeanne</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"TypoUpright BT";color:blue">Jeanne J.</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue">
</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Bella Donna";color:blue">Dawes<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">Attorney at Law</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">Gore & Grewe, P.S.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">103 E. Indiana Avenue, Suite A</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">Spokane, WA 99207-2317</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">Voice: 509-326-7500</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>nestor@pplsweb.com<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, September 13, 2018 10:02 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'WSBA Real Property Listserv' <wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBARP] Earnest Money Interpleader Question<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The deposition of the funds is adjudicated between the “defendants” (Buyer and Seller) in the same action.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Nestor Gorfinkel, Attorney at Law<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Licensed in Washington & Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Florida Civil-Law (International) Notary<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">ATTENTION - This e-mail message and any attachment to this e-mail message may contain confidential information that is legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not
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<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">
wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Wesley C. McMahon<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, September 13, 2018 9:39 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] Earnest Money Interpleader Question<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every earnest money dispute I’ve been involved with was settled prior to being sent to interpleader…until now. I was wondering if someone out there has experience with the process of an interpleader action pertaining to an earnest money
dispute. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I understand the escrow company is the plaintiff, and the buyer and seller are the defendants in the initial interpleader action. Is the case then completely adjudicated in that action, or is another complaint by the buyer/seller necessary
to adjudicate disposition of funds?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Wesley C. McMahon<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Partner<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Moultray & McMahon, PS<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><a href="http://www.moultray.com/"><span style="color:#1F497D">www.Moultray.com</span></a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#17365D">11661 SE 1<sup>st</sup> Street<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#17365D">Suite 201<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#17365D">Bellevue, WA 98005<br>
</span><span style="color:#1F497D">Phone: 206-777-1435<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">E-Mail: <u><a href="mailto:Wes@Moultray.com">Wes@Moultray.com</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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