<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Listmates,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WAC 458-61A-203(2) provides the following excise tax exemption: “The real estate excise tax does not apply to any transfer, conveyance, or assignment of property or interest in property from one<b> spouse </b>or<b> domestic partner</b> to the other in fulfillment of a settlement agreement incident to a decree of dissolution, declaration of invalidity, or legal separation.” I emphasize the words “spouse” and “domestic partner” because it is distinguishable from the language in Subsection 4, which references “ex-spouses” and “former domestic partners.” <a href="https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=458-61A-203">https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=458-61A-203</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>In order for WAC 458-61A-203(2) to apply, is it necessary for the transfer to take place prior to the divorce decree/order being entered by the court, such that the grantor and grantee are still technically married? Or does WAC 458-61A-203(2) apply even after the divorce decree/order has been entered as long as the transfer is in fulfillment of a settlement agreement incident to the divorce decree/order? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks in advance!<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><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><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><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><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'>This electronic message contains information which may be Confidential or Privileged and constitutes an electronic communication within the meaning of the Electronic 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 information is prohibited. If you received this transmission in error, please notify the sender and delete the copy you received together with any attachments. Thank you.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>