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<div class="pre" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: monospace">Law Office of F. Andrekita Silva<br />______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ <br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">June 17, 2026</span></div>
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<div class="pre" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: monospace"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Diane,</span></div>
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<div class="pre" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: monospace"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The spousal privilege is set out at RCW 5.60.060. I would not say it's narrow, it's actually pretty broad. However, there are exceptions big areas of exception. Like if one is suing the other in a family law matter like divorce, etc. or it's a crime against the other spouse, etc. (like DV). </span></div>
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<div class="pre" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: monospace"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Spouse 1 can testify if Spouse 2 consents to it. This privilege is like any other privilege that can be waived if Spouse 2 "opens the door." For example, testifies "On Friday night, I told Spouse 1 xyz ( a private privileged communication)." If they call spouse to testify on their behalf, they can be cross-xed as to those subjects. </span></div>
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<div class="pre" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: monospace"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So, not really narrow exception. If I understand your case, Mr. Smith is in a real estate dispute with Mr. Jones, who are adverse parties. Mr. Jones discusses some details of the dispute with his wife, Ms. Jones. Unless you find an exception like opening the door, or an 803 hearsay exception, etc. I think there would be limitations on calling Ms. Jones to impeach testimony by Mr. Jones. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Andrekita Silva</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Law Office of F. Andrekita Silva</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 940</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Seattle, Washington 98101-2509</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">206-224-8288</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:ak@seattle-silvalaw.com">ak@seattle-silvalaw.com</a></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">On 2026/06/16 08:56 AM, Diane Kiepe wrote:</span></div>
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<blockquote type="cite" style="padding: 0 0.4em; border-left: #1010ff 2px solid; margin: 0"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I have read information on when spousal privilege exists. It seems to</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">me that it is a very narrow privilege. If I am reading correctly (and</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I just did a quick read), if a spouse discusses a civil case with his</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">or her spouse (for example, matters discussed in a probate, a TEDRA,</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Real Estate dispute with a neighbor, etc.), then that spouse can be</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">called as a witness in that case. Has anyone experienced this</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">situation where the non-client spouse was called as a witness at</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">trial? I am likely going to just have spouses together be the client</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">but the facts I am dealing with have me thinking.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Any insights any of you may have are appreciated.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry for multiple emails if, like me, you're in multiple sections.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Diane Kiepe</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Kiepe Estate and Probate, PLLC</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:diane@kiepelaw.com">diane@kiepelaw.com</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">200 N. Mullan Rd., Suite 203</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Spokane Valley, WA 99206</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">509-280-6414</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Confidentiality Notice: This page and any accompanying documents</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">contain information that is confidential, privileged, or exempt from</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">disclosure under applicable law and is intended for the exclusive use</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">of the addressee. This information is private and protected by law. If</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">information in any manner is strictly prohibited.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">***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.***</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">_______________________________________________</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">WSBAPT mailing list</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com">WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</a></span></blockquote>
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