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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Thanks for you response Christopher. Appreciate you thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>The only reference to the easement is in the deed and that simply says, “AN EASEMENT FOR INGRESS, EGRESS AND UTILITIES 60 FEET IN WIDTH, THE CENTER LINE OF WHICH IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:” Then it goes on to describe the easement. There is no language of “subject to” or “together with” that would give any guidance and there is no reference to any parcels being benefited. Since the easement being described in on the property being conveyed, it would not be needed to access the property by the owner, so the mere existence of the easement suggests that the owner’s parcel is burdened, but again, no suggestions as to who is benefited unless you go out to the property and see that it is used by other property owners. Nothing about who maintains, so I can only imagine the burdened property owner is responsible for maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>I am going to reach out to the title company and see what they say, if anything.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Tom<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Thomas J. Westbrook<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Attorney at Law<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><img width=152 height=62 style='width:1.5833in;height:.6416in' id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D92809.362CE970"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1F497D'>324 West Bay Drive NW, Suite 201<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1F497D'>Olympia, WA 98502<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1F497D'>(360) 866-4000 phone<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1F497D'>(360) 866--3832 fax<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:#1F497D'><a href="http://www.buddbaylaw.com/">www.buddbaylaw.com</a><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:red'>COVID POLICY:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='color:#1F497D'>Our firm continues to follow guidance from the CDC and Governor Inslee’s office regarding social distancing and the wearing of face coverings, and we encourage the public and our clients to do the same. Our staff is still working remotely much of the time so electronic communication by phone and email continues to be encouraged. We appreciate your patience and understanding.</span></i><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><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>Britt, Christopher<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, January 13, 2023 8:55 AM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBARP] Deed signed in counterpart and other issues<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>I would say that the first two points you are ok on. <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>With regard to the first: Because of the warranties - both implied and explicit - there is nothing retained by the couple to pass via survivorship. To that end, they have transferred their interest except for their survivorship interest which is moot because they no longer have the equity or possessory interest in the land.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>With regard to the second: Deeds signed in counterpart could be looked at as individuals signing different deeds but it would have the same effect. They are perfectly allowed to divest themselves individually. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>The last point gives me pause, however. I would want to see some document referencing this easement. Further, I would examine this more if it is troublesome to the client and get something in writing.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Christopher G. Britt, M.A., J.D.</span><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Attorney at Law</span><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img border=0 width=200 height=36 style='width:2.0833in;height:.375in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:~WRD0100.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender."></span><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>1403 S. Grand Blvd., Suite 201-S</span><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Spokane, WA 99203-2278</span><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><br>P: 509.455.3713<br>D: </span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222'>509.316.2131</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><br>F: +1.509.455.3718 (must dial 1 before area code)</span><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>E: </span><u><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1155CC'><a href="mailto:christopher@lucentlaw.com" target="_blank"><span style='color:#1155CC'>christopher@lucentlaw.com</span></a></span></u><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Web: <a href="http://www.lucentlaw.com/" target="_blank"><span style='color:#1155CC'>www.lucentlaw.com</span></a></span><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Fri, Jan 13, 2023 at 8:37 AM TJW <<a href="mailto:tjw@w3net.net">tjw@w3net.net</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in'><p class=MsoNormal>Good morning list mates,<br><br>I have 3 primary questions regarding one transaction:<br><br>1. Property deeded to A and B as H&W. A and B later sell to C and D by SWD<br>as tenants in common. No recorded Deed from A and B as H&W to A and B as<br>TIC. Does that make the deed from A and B as TIC to C and D ineffective or<br>does it even matter?<br><br>2. When A and B sign SWD to C and D, it is signed in counterparts, not as<br>one document with both signatures. Is a SWD signed in counterparts an<br>effective deed? <br><br>3. Legal description from A and B to C and D also includes an easement for<br>ingress, egress and utilities over the property being transferred, but does<br>not identify who has the benefit of the easement. There are 11 households<br>that are currently using the easement for access but none of them are<br>identified as the beneficiary of the easement and there is no easement<br>document or roadway agreement. Can there be an legally effective and binding<br>easement for the 11 households without each parcel being identified? To make<br>matters worse, the title company wants to change the prelude to the legal<br>description of the easement as "a nonexclusive easement"; that language is<br>not in any of the prior deeds in the chain of title. Does the title company<br>get to change the description sua sponte?<br><br>Am I over thinking? The title company does not seem to care.<br><br>Sincerely,<br><br>Tom<br><br>Thomas J. Westbrook<br>Attorney at Law<br><br><br>324 West Bay Drive NW, Suite 201<br>Olympia, WA 98502<br>(360) 866-4000 phone<br>(360) 866--3832 fax<br><a href="http://www.buddbaylaw.com" target="_blank">www.buddbaylaw.com</a> <<a href="http://www.buddbaylaw.com/" target="_blank">http://www.buddbaylaw.com/</a>> <br><br>COVID POLICY:<br>Our firm continues to follow guidance from the CDC and Governor Inslee's<br>office regarding social distancing and the wearing of face coverings, and we<br>encourage the public and our clients to do the same. Our staff is still<br>working remotely much of the time so electronic communication by phone and<br>email continues to be encouraged. We appreciate your patience and<br>understanding.<br><br><br><br>***Disclaimer: Please note that RPPT listserv participation is not restricted to practicing attorneys and may include non-practicing attorneys, law students, professionals working in related fields, and others.***<br><br>_______________________________________________<br>WSBARP mailing list<br><a href="mailto:WSBARP@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">WSBARP@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><br><a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbarp" target="_blank">http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbarp</a><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div></div></body></html>