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<p class="MsoNormal">Sounds like it was community property. If WA community property was completely disregarded in the FL divorce, then it is likely now held by the ex-spouses as equal tenants in common. Lots of case law on that; see e.g.
<u>Mayo v. Jones</u>, 8 Wn. App. 140, 141, 505 P.2d 157 (1972). In which case ordinary rules of partition and quiet title apply, beginning on the date of the decree.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Watch out for a catch-all provision in the FL decree though. Sometimes a decree will have a provision that deals with property “not otherwise divided,” or “not specifically allocated,” or whatever, which could in theory apply to the WA
property.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think you are right—partition or quiet title, depending on the facts available. Note that rescuing the property from foreclosure does give PC reimbursement rights against ex-wife, but doesn’t cause the ex-wife to forfeit her interest.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Kevin Bukoskey<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, August 31, 2026 9:59 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'WSBA Real Property Listserv' <wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBARP] Removing Ex-Spouse from Title<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Hi Listmates,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">PC contacted me regarding removing his ex-wife from title to their WA home so he can sell it. They purchased the property while married and subsequently divorced in FL. The divorce decree/order
says nothing regarding disposition of the WA real property.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">The ex-wife cannot currently be located and appears to have abandoned the property, which subsequently went into foreclosure. PC recently rescued the property from the trustee’s sale but now wants
to sell it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Would this be a QT action (or partition?), potentially with service by publication, to remove her interest from title? Or would he need to crack open the FL divorce matter to deal with this? Or
is there another mechanism I’m overlooking?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Thanks. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#424242">Kevin A. Bukoskey, Esq., JD, MBA</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#424242"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#424242">Attorney</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#424242"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#424242">GOURLEY LAW GROUP<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#424242">THE EXCHANGE CONNECTION<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#424242">SNOHOMISH ESCROW<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#424242">P.O. Box 1091<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#424242">Snohomish, WA 98291<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#424242">PH: (360) 568-5065 (800) 291-8401<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Fax: (360) 568-1717<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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