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<p class="MsoNormal">Title and recording experts:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It appears to me that in a probate, the Court can issue a Decree of Distribution that
<u>by itself</u> conveys described real property to the designated beneficiaries. The Decree is a judgment and would be effective on entry, same as a judgment quieting title. So no deed executed by the PR would be required.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If I wanted to record the Decree (not required, I know, but if I did),
<a href="https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=458-61A-303">WAC 458-61A-303(2)(b)</a> says transfer "resulting from a court order" requires an affidavit.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But the Decree is a <u>judgment</u>, and is itself the transfer. It's not an Order requiring the PR to execute a deed, which is what the WAC appears to refer to. That interpretation is consistent with
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=82.45&full=true#82.45.197">
RCW 82.45.197(1)(e)</a>, which states:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> (1) In order to receive an exemption under RCW 82.45.010(3)(a) from the tax in this chapter on real property transferred as a result of a devise by will or inheritance, the following documentation must be provided to the
county treasurer:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> ....<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> (e) If the property is being transferred pursuant to a court order, a certified copy of the
<b><i>court order requiring the transfer, and confirming that the grantor is required to do so under the terms of the order</i></b>;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So I don't think a REETA is required to record a Decree of Distribution.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Am I wrong? Will a title company object if I do it this way? Will the County Treasurer or Auditor?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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