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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Is the following not true?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Husband can devise one-half of the community property, but not necessarily one-half of each asset. The estate can choose to distribute to the wife her one-half interest in the community property using disproportionate asset divisions. See RCW 11.98.070(15); Estate of Ehlers, 80 Wn. App. 751, 763 (1996); see also Estate of Westall, 4 Wn. App.2d 877 (2018) (spouse can sell deceased’s interest in community property with court approval despite contrary provision in deceased’s will). The will does not change this. Further, the wife has a right to administer the community property. See RCW 11.28.030.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RCW 11.04.250 would vest all of the community property in the surviving spouse absent a will of the deceased that says otherwise, which apparently is the case here. See Estate of Haviland, 117 Wn.2d 68, 79—80 (2013).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>So a claw back would be required only if needed to distribute one-half of the total community estate to the trust.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Steve Brandli<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Brandli Law PLLC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Friday Harbor, Washington<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Eric Nelsen<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, September 12, 2019 9:36 AM<br><b>To:</b> wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBARP] TIC or JTWROS?<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I agree you need to claw it back; the husband's half interest should be transferred into the trust. Though if the Will/Trust terms allow it, I suppose you could instead make an alternative agreement with the surviving spouse, to other assets of equivalent value to put into the trust as a substitute.<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'>Some technical supporting points that don't change the result:<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 a parcel of real property is community property between two living spouses, it's not governed by tenant in common rules. Instead, management and control is governed by <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.16.030">RCW 26.16.030</a>. The actual name on the deed, even if it's only in one spouse's name, doesn't actually matter much except for some nuances relating to notice to third parties; see e.g. <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.16&full=true#26.16.095">RCW 26.16.095 and RCW 26.16.100</a>. <u>See also</u> <u>In re Estate of Borghi</u>, 167 Wn.2d 480, 219 P.3d 932 (2009), which states that the names on the deed don't really mean that much when it comes to determining characterization of the property as separate or community.<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'>But once the first spouse dies, real property immediately vests in the surviving spouse as the heir at law to all community property, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.04.250">RCW 11.04.250</a>, but subject to all debts, etc., of the decedent, and if a probate is commenced the PR ends up with control and can effectively divest the spouse.<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'>When the probate commences it acquires jurisdiction over <u>the entirety of community property</u>. The death of a spouse terminates the marital relationship and the "marital community." <u>Bank of Montreal v. Buchanan</u>, 32 Wn. 480, 73 P. 482 (1903); <u>see also</u> <u>Washington State Bar Assn. Community Property Deskbook</u> (4th ed. 2014) (hereinafter "CP Deskbook"), Sec. 4.11. At death of the first spouse, the community "ceases to exist." <u>Sutton v. Hirvonen</u>, 113 Wn.2d 1, 6, 775 P.2d 448 (1989). The first deceased spouse's Estate accordingly has jurisdiction over all community property and community liability, not just the decedent's half, in order to dispose of all community matters. <u>Ruth v. Dight</u>, 75 Wn.2d 660, 670, 453 P.2d 631 (1969) (claim against the community cannot be pursued against surviving spouse if not also properly brought against the deceased spouse's estate); <u>Gilliam v. City of Centralia</u>, 14 Wn.2d 523, 531, 128 P.2d 661 (1942) (deceased spouse's Personal Representative, not the surviving spouse, has authority to pursue a community claim); <u>Magee v. Big Bend Land Co.</u>, 51 Wash. 406, 408, 99 P. 16 (1909) (administration of first spouse's estate had jurisdiction and authority to sell the entire community real property). <u>See also</u> <u>CP Deskbook</u>, Sec. 4.13.<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'>So at the end of the probate the PR, in accordance with the Will and assuming all debts, etc., have been paid, could distribute the decedent's one-half interest in the community real estate into the Trust. At that point, and no sooner, do the tenant-in-common rules apply, to the Trust and the surviving spouse as tenants in common.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><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></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><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'> <a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> [<a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Mark Vohr<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 11, 2019 5:33 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] TIC or JTWROS?<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>I have a title person in Jefferson county telling me it’s common practice in title companies when property is acquired as “husband and wife” (the type of ownership – TIC or JTWROS is not indicated in the deed) to pass the ownership to the surviving spouse without any kind of conveyance since Washington is a community property state, all they require is proof of death of the spouse. Title has always done this, we’ve used death certificates, lack of probate affidavit’s or actual probates as proof of death of the spouse and then just vest the ownership in the surviving spouse.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>My understanding is that a transfer to H&W (or any conveyance to more than one person) without indicating the type of ownership creates a tenancy in common, RCW 64.28.020. In our case the decedent left his entire estate in trust for his surviving spouse, which I would conclude would include his TIC share in real property. Title transferred it all to the surviving spouse. It would seem we have to claw it back. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Thoughts? Thanks in advance. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Regards, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Mark<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='margin-left:8.6pt;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=174 valign=top style='width:130.5pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>Ohana Fiduciary Corp.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>A Washington Trust Company<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=720 valign=top style='width:7.5in;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>Mark C. Vohr, J.D., CPG, Principal<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>PO Box 33710 Seattle, WA 98133<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'>T: (206) 782-1189 F: (206) 782-1434<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calisto MT",serif'><a href="mailto:mcv@ohanafc.com"><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>mcv@ohanafc.com</span></a></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calisto MT",serif'><a href="http://www.ohanafc.com/"><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>www.ohanafc.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calisto MT",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'><a href="https://ohanafc.sharefile.com/r-r48c92bafe5243b0a">Click here</a> to securely upload files<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=894 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:670.5pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:8.0pt'>CONFIDENTIAL AND/OR PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:8.0pt'>This communication may contain information that is confidential. It was intended only for the named or a specific recipient. If you have received this communication in error. Please delete it immediately and contact the sender to advise them of improper delivery.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:8.0pt'>This communication is not intended to provide legal advice to the recipient. The sender does not represent you as legal counsel and neither this communication or any conversations you may have with the sender creates an attorney client relationship with the sender. If you seek legal advice please retain an attorney, but it will be someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>