The heirs should be notified when a probate is opened. However, it is not always the case that someone opens a probate. If no probate was opened and nobody was appointed Personal Representative, there would be nothing to give notice of.

I am not aware of any caselaw answering the question directly. The statute likely predates the prevalence of electronic locks and codes, but it certainly raises issues if they only give you a code and not a physical key. If the power goes out/battery dies/tech malfunctions, etc. Not to mention it... View More

RCW 59.18.063 requires that a landlord accept a personal check, cashier's check, or money order. Except that they do not have to accept a personal check if one has been returned NSF in the last 9 months.

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18.063

So, under the... View More

An insolvent estate is an estate where the debts exceed the assets. In other words, the estate is not going to have the ability to pay all of its creditors.

The question of whether money left to a specific beneficiary can be used to pay the debts of the estate (like the mortgage) is... View More

Unless your rental is in a jurisdiction with its own set of rental protections, RCW 59.18.650 is the statute that likely answers your question. The answer is going to depend on the type of lease you have and the language used in the lease.

If your initial lease is what expires on July 31,... View More

An LLC can certainly provide an additional level of protection for your personal assets, when properly set up and properly run. But, as you pointed out, you would likely need to open a new bank account and set up your license, insurance, bond, etc to reflect the LLC. Some of those things you might... View More

I think the answer depends on how the crew is being paid. It is also potentially not a WA answer if the work is being done in Alaska.

In WA, an employer cannot charge an employee for broke/lost equipment unless it was an intentional or dishonest act that caused it to be lost/broken. I... View More

The property owner is ultimately liable for their fence and where it was placed. They may have a claim against the contractor if the contractor was supposed to verify the boundary, but I have never seen a fence contractor take responsibility for the survey or location.

There are a lot of... View More

The typical way to gain control of his probate would be by initiating a probate, but, as you indicated, that requires a final death certificate.

The court can appoint a special administrator if there is something critical that must be addressed before a personal representative can be... View More

If your mom did not have a will, you would have a right to it before your nephew.

However, while your mom is alive, she can do more or less whatever she wants with her property. Likewise, she can leave it to whoever she wants in her will. At that point, you would have no right.

As... View More

There is no requirement that your husband be aware of your will. But there are risks to a secret or surprise will. In the event you died and your husband survived you, he would be likely to open a probate assuming your old will or as if you didn't have one. If nobody brings the secret will to... View More

When somebody passes away without a will, their heirs are determined by what are called the laws of intestacy. Washington's can be found at RCW 11.04.015 (http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=11.04.015).

There will be a question about whether the home is separate or community... View More

Two. See RCW 11.12.020 http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.12.020

Self-proving wills are easier to probate, but slightly more complicated to execute, as they require specific language and a notary. RCW 11.20.020(2). http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.20.020

It could be argued that he was sealing money and committing fraud, especially if he turned in timesheets/employment applications/etc that contained false information.

It likely depends on if/how ownership of the house was dealt with in the divorce.

Every state has a set of laws that dictate how property is distributed if there is no will. Washington's can be found at RCW 11.04.015 ( http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=11.04.015 ). The exact distribution would depend on who the parents of the surviving grandchildren were (i.e, are... View More

You can draft a will without a lawyer, but it is important to follow the formalities required by Washington Law (I am assuming you live in WA). Merely having it notarized is not sufficient to create a will in Washington State.

RCW 11.12.020 contains the requirements for witnesses.... View More

It means, usually, that you try to find a new tenant. If a tenant abandons the premises or breaks the lease 3 months into a one year lease, you can't just do nothing and then demand the next 9 months of rent. You have to make reasonable efforts to find a new tenant.

That is a pretty... View More

If you got a letter from an attorney representing the trust or your sister as trustee, I would try reaching out to that lawyer to check on the status or hiring a lawyer to do it for you. There are any number of reasons it could be taking this long.

The answer to this question likely hinges on whether your neighbor can claim ownership of the property the carport is on by adverse possession. To know how strong a claim your neighbor would have, we would need to know how long the carport has been there and under what circumstances (mainly, was it... View More