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<p class="MsoNormal">Interesting scenario, which is usually a bad answer for a client.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Lien statute is strictly construed so there is an argument that failure to comply results in loss of lien rights. However, if your client can show substantial compliance and a good faith effort then I think you have a strong argument for
a relaxing of the lien statute’s strict compliance based on King County’s failure to record timely based on COVID impacts. Was the property owner served or provided with a certified copy of the unrecorded claim of lien? If so, then I think you have a stronger
chance of maintaining the lien claim.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’d like to hear others’ thoughts or experiences regarding this scenario.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><b>Daniel Berner<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none">Attorney<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><a href="mailto:dberner@phillipsburgesslaw.com"><span style="color:blue">dberner@phillipsburgesslaw.com</span></a> |</span><a href="http://www.phillipsburgesslaw.com/"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:blue">website
</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">Our offices are CLOSED to the public through December 14, 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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</span><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt">WE RECENTLY MOVED: 111 21<sup>st</sup> Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98501</span></b><span style="font-size:8.0pt"> | 360.742.3500 (Office) | 360.999.0306 (Cell)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:black">915 S I Street, Tacoma, WA 98405 | 253.292.6640</span><span style="font-size:8.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><img border="0" width="268" height="72" style="width:2.7916in;height:.75in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D6BDAD.54CFBA60"></span><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;background:white"><br>
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REAL ESTATE | LAND USE | ENVIRONMENTAL LAW</span></b><o:p></o:p></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>Samuel M. Meyler<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, November 18, 2020 11:22 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'WSBA Real Property Listserv' <wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] Contractor Liens in times of Covid-19<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listmates,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here is the scenario… Contractor performed work, didn’t get paid and sent a Claim of Lien for recording with tracking. Tracking confirms that the Claim of Lien was delivered to the King County recorder’s office prior to the expiration
of the 90 day period for recording but it has not been processed yet. King County indicates that, as of today, they are processing materials that they received on 9/24/2020 (Wow!).
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With County Recorder offices backed up, materials sent by mail are not being processed/recorded for weeks after the Recorder receives them in some cases. If a Claim of Lien was delivered to the Recorder’s Office prior to the expiration
of the 90 day window but is not processed until many weeks after, is there any basis for the contractor to argue that the 90 day limitation period was stayed or that the recording should be retroactive to the date of delivery? Is there any authority on this?
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for your input! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sam<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">Samuel M. Meyler</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">Meyler Legal, PLLC </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">1700 Westlake Ave. N., Ste. 200<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">Seattle, Washington 98109</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">Tel:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue"> 206.876.7770<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">Fax:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue"> 206.876.7771<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">Email:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue"> </span><a href="mailto:samuel@meylerlegal.com"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">samuel@meylerlegal.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">NOTICE:</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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Communications Privacy Act 18 USC 2510. The information is intended to be for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, please be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this
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