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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>From my point of view, title passes to the heirs and devisees at death, subject to the probate administration.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I view the decree of distribution (or declaration of completion) as the confirmation of the vesting that has already occurred.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>So yes, we would insure title in the heir/devisee upon filing of the decree of distribution without recording the decree or filing an excise tax affidavit.<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='color:#1F497D'>John McCrady<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Counsel<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Puget Sound Title Company<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>5350 Orchard Street West<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>University Place WA 98467<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>253-476-5721<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>j.mccrady@pstitle.com<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 #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Eric Nelsen<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, October 29, 2019 4:29 PM<br><b>To:</b> REALPROP@yahoogroups.com; WSBA Real Property Listserv (wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com) <wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] Decree of Distribution without deed in probate; interaction with REETA requirements<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><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://r.xdref.com/?id=x9TNd8K3031557&from=wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com&to=j.mccrady@pstitle.com&url=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></div></body></html>