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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='color:#1F497D'>Joshua is referring to the abbreviated legal description which is part of the required recording information at the top of page 1, which is used for indexing the document. It is metadata, not the full legal used in the conveyance.<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:#1F497D'>A few cases mention the statute but do not address this question. An unpublished 9<sup>th</sup> Cir. case mentions that statute and substantial compliance:<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:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>In light of the Washington statutes at issue in this case, we affirm. See Wash. Rev. Code §§ 4.64.030, <b><u>65.04.045</u></b>, 65.04.047, 26.18.020, 26.18.055, 26.21.480, 26.21.490. Because Ramsum did not identify or describe her ex-husband's former property in the documents she filed with the Whatcom County Auditor's Office, she did not substantially comply with the requirements for recording liens against real property.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>See Kim v. Lee, 9 P.3d 245, 249 (Wash. App. Ct. 2000), rev'd on other grounds, 31 P.3d 665 (Wash. 2001) (en banc) ("<u>Washington courts have long upheld actions taken in substantial compliance with statutory requirements, albeit with procedural imperfections. Substantial compliance requires 'actual compliance in respect to the substance essential to every reasonable objective of [the] statute</u>.'" (quoting City of Seattle v. Pub. Emp't Relations Comm'n, 809 P.2d 1377, 1380 (Wash. 1991) (en banc))).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Ramsum v. Frenzel, No. 13-35371 (9th Cir. 2015)<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:#1F497D'><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:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Lenard L Wittlake, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Attorney & Counselor at Law<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>22 East Poplar Street, Suite 202<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>P.O. Box 1233<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Walla Walla, WA 99362<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>(509) 529-1529 voice<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>(509) 850-3515 fax<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><a href="mailto:Lenard@wittlakelaw.com"><span style='color:blue'>Lenard@wittlakelaw.com</span></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='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:#1F497D'>The information contained in this email may be privileged, confidential or<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:#1F497D'>otherwise protected from disclosure. If you received this email in error,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:#1F497D'>please reply to the sender that you have received this information in error<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:#1F497D'>and delete this email.</span><span style='color:#1F497D'><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 #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>sdonahue.sdonahuelaw<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, September 19, 2023 9:28 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'WSBA Real Property Listserv'<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBARP] rejection re Abbreviated Legal Description on recorded document<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sometimes you can get the full legal description by looking the property up on Washington Digital Archives. I always use the full legal description, but I don’t type it out. I copy and paste from some reliable source because in law school it was suggested that typing it out may cause a typo which would invalidate the description.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Susan<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>SUSAN DONAHUE<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Law Office of Susan Donahue<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>125 West 2nd Avenue, Suite "B"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>P.O. Box 81<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Twisp, WA 98856<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:sdonahue@sdonahuelaw.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>sdonahue@sdonahuelaw.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>509-996-5944 (phone)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>509-362-9692 (fax)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></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>Brent Williams-Ruth<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, September 19, 2023 8:45 AM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBARP] rejection re Abbreviated Legal Description on recorded document<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>I would simply add that I have established relationships with a couple different title companies and when I am doing a transfer I am able to obtain a property report from the title company at no charge. Yes, it takes an extra step of me writing to them but what I get in return is their internal report and then a copy of the last recorded Deed or DOT. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The various recording entities are truly modern day examples of a fiefdom that just love to keep people on their toes. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Good luck!!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><div><div><p><b>Brent Williams-Ruth</b> (pronouns: he/him)<br><i>Attorney-At-Law</i><o:p></o:p></p><p><b>Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth, </b><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt'>a division of BWR Consulting, PLLC</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p><b>Physical Address: 500 S 336th Street, Suite 214; Federal Way, WA 98003</b><o:p></o:p></p><p><b><span style='color:red'>**EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY**</span> All mail sent through the USPS should be sent to the following address: PO BOX 3319; Federal Way, WA 98063 </b><o:p></o:p></p><p>Office/Scheduling Phone:<span style='color:#004080'> </span><span style='color:red'>(253) 285-7751</span><o:p></o:p></p><p>Direct:<span style='color:red'> (253) 285-7453</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="mailto:Brent@Williams-RuthLaw.com" target="_blank">e-mail</a> / <a href="http://www.williams-ruthlaw.com/" target="_blank">website</a> /<span style='font-size:9.5pt'> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/bwrlaw" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:9.5pt'>facebook</span></a><span style='font-size:9.5pt'> / </span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Tue, Sep 19, 2023 at 8:33 AM Craig Gourley <<a href="mailto:craig@glgmail.com">craig@glgmail.com</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-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal>As another old guy, I am with Tom. I never use an abbreviated legal description except on the first page if the true legal is large and needs to be an exhibit. I also never trust anything on the assessor's web site as having any legal authority. If I can't get a legal description from the title company I use the legal contained in the last recorded deed or DOT with the disclaimer to the client that it may not be accurate due to BLA's or easements recorded subsequent to the recording of the source document and they instruct me to use it anyway. <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div id="m_7712504765434646188ms-outlook-mobile-signature"><p class=MsoNormal>Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone<br>Get <a href="https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg" target="_blank">Outlook for Android</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=2 width="98%" align=center></div><div id="m_7712504765434646188divRplyFwdMsg"><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>From:</span></b><span style='color:black'> <a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>> on behalf of TJW <<a href="mailto:tjw@w3net.net" target="_blank">tjw@w3net.net</a>><br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, September 18, 2023 5:44:22 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'WSBA Real Property Listserv' <<a href="mailto:wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBARP] rejection re Abbreviated Legal Description on recorded document</span> <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></div><div><div><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Hello Joshua,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I was taught many years ago to always use the full legal description in all deeds and contracts, etc. So that has always been my practice. I have never believed that the abbreviated legal from the Assessor or even a title company is the correct way to describe the property. But then I’m into this profession for 50 years now and may just be an old guy that hasn’t kept up with the times.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Sincerely,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Tom</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Thomas J. Westbrook</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Attorney at Law</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='color:#1F497D'><img border=0 width=152 height=62 id="_x0000_i1027" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D9EA57.C1D534D0"></span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:#1F497D'>324 West Bay Drive NW, Suite 201</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:#1F497D'>Olympia, WA 98502</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:#1F497D'>(360) 866-4000 phone</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:#1F497D'>(360) 866--3832 fax</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://www.buddbaylaw.com/" target="_blank">www.buddbaylaw.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='color:red'>COVID POLICY:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><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><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Joshua Grant<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, September 18, 2023 3:25 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] rejection re Abbreviated Legal Description on recorded document<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p> <o:p></o:p></p><p><a name="m_7712504765434646188_x_OLE_LINK2"></a><a name="m_7712504765434646188_x_OLE_LINK1"></a>I just received a letter from a County Auditor who advised that an abbreviated legal description I used “is not accurate” citing RCW 65.04.045. I looked at that statute and see that it was last amended in 2005. Notwithstanding using, what the county shows as an abbreviated legal on their Assessor’s website, hundreds of times since 2005, the Auditor now advises that what must be used is “the name of the Plat, do not use Org. or Orig Add”. The statute reads” <span style='font-family:"Open Sans";color:black;background:white'> "abbreviated legal description of the property" means lot, block, plat, or section, township, range, and quarter/quarter section,”.. The name of many of the Town “plats” in this area are shown as Original Addition to the Town of ______. Or “Railroad Addition to the Town of ______.” The auditor goes on to say “The Assessor’s website should not be used to obtain property descriptions. If you need help with a legal description or an abbreviated legal description, please contact a title company or surveyor”. My guess is that some memo has come from the State, possibly the Department of Revenue, Excise Tax section??? Because this isn’t a new statute. It’s not bad enough that the recording fee is now over $200 for the first page… but now we have to get a title report to record a simple gift deed?</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Open Sans";color:black;background:white'>Anyone have any authority to counter the legal advice I have received from an Auditor’s Office? </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Open Sans";color:black;background:white'>Thanks</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-family:"Open Sans";color:black;background:white'>Josh</span><o:p></o:p></p><p> <o:p></o:p></p><p><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;color:#004080'>Joshua F. Grant</span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#004080'><br></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'><img border=0 width=166 height=34 id="_x0000_i1026" src="cid:image003.png@01D9EA57.C1D534D0"><br></span><span style='color:#004080'>P. O. Box 619<br>Wilbur, WA 99185<br>509 647 5578</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="mailto:jgrant@advocateslg.com" target="_blank">jgrant@advocateslg.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p> <o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal>***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>