Notice that the Legislature 
did not provide for your cats. 

That is your job! 

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

 Well, if you don't execute a will before you leave this mortal coil, the Washington State Legislature (RCW 11.04.015, et seq.) has decreed that this is where it goes: 

1. If you have a spouse and he or she survives you, then he or she receives all of your net community estate, and 1/2 of your net separate estate if you are survived by issue, or 3/4 of your net separate estate if you are not survived by issue but are survived by one or more of your parents, or one or more of the issue of one or more of your parents, (sometimes referred to as brothers and sisters) or all of your net estate if you have no surviving issue, nor parent, nor issue of parent. 

2. If you don't leave a surviving spouse, your entire net estate will descend and be distributed to your issue; if your issue are all of equal degree of kinship, they shall take equally, but if of unequal degree, then those of more remote degree shall take by representation. (What they are saying here is that your grandchildren aren't usually going to do as well as your children.) 

3. If you don't leave any issue, then to your parent or parents who survive you. 

4. If you are not survived by spouse, issue, or either parent, then to the issue of your parent or parents who survive you; if they are all of the same degree of kinship to you, then they shall take equally, but if of unequal degree, then those of more remote degree (your nieces and nephews are getting in the act) shall take by representation. 

5. If you are not survived by spouse, issue, either parent, or the issue of either parent, then we are going to drag your grandparents on both sides into this; if you have no surviving grandparents, then we are dealing with the issue of your grand-parents, but I am sure you are getting tired of this. 

I think you will agree that it is rude to die in the State of Washington without a will, because you make it necessary for somebody to have to figure this all out. 

By the way, none of the above is legal advice. 

If you would like to talk to me about the preparation of your will, or other estate planning, call me at (206) 363-1000, or email me at: carroll@attyatlaw.com