Christopher S. Mulvaney,

Attorney and Counselor-at-Law

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THIS WEBSITE INCLUDES GENERAL INFORMATION & THE OPINIONS OF CHRISTOPHER S. MULVANEY. IT IS INTENDED TO STIMULATE A BASIS FOR QUESTIONS RELATED TO YOUR PARTICULAR FACTUAL CIRCUMSTANCES — BEFORE YOU ACT.  THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU WANT LEGAL ADVICE, PLEASE MAKE A ZOOM APPOINTMENT TO SPEAK WITH ME.

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Gonzaga University School of Law – Spokane, Washington – Class of 2002 – Cum Laude The Latin phrase “Deo patriae, scientiis, artibus” translates to “For God and country through sciences and arts”.  The initials A.M.D.G. on the seal of Gonzaga Law School stand for Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, which is Latin for “For the Greater Glory of God” the Motto of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits): a Catholic religious order founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola.

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It’s crucial to inform your estate administrator (also known as a personal representative in Washington State) in detail about how to manage the contents of your house after you die in Washington State in 2025 for several important reasons: 

• To Ensure Your Wishes Are Carried Out: Your estate administrator is responsible for fulfilling your final wishes, and that includes distributing your personal property (household contents) to the beneficiaries you’ve designated. Providing clear instructions ensures that your valuable or sentimental belongings go to the intended recipients, preventing potential disputes or confusion.
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• To Streamline the Estate Administration Process: A detailed inventory of your household contents, along with specific instructions for their distribution, simplifies the estate administration process.
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• To Avoid Family Conflicts: Household items, especially those with sentimental value, can be a source of disagreement among family members. Providing clear directions can help to avoid these conflicts, ensuring that your loved ones have straightforward instructions to follow.
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• To Protect Your Assets: The estate administrator is responsible for safeguarding your assets until they are distributed. A detailed inventory can help them manage and protect these items during the administration process.
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• To Provide for Specific Bequests: If you want specific items to go to specific individuals, you can create a detailed list (sometimes called a Personal Property Memorandum in Washington State) to be referenced in your will or trust.
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• To Aid in Inventory and Appraisal: The estate administrator must prepare an inventory and appraisal of the estate’s assets, which includes household contents. Providing detailed information can assist them in this task.
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• To Ensure Compliance with Legal Requirements: In Washington State, the estate administrator has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the estate’s beneficiaries and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. 

 

 

How to Provide Detailed Instructions:

• Create a Trust: Include clear instructions in your will or trust regarding the disposition of your personal property.
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• Use a Personal Property Memorandum: Washington law allows you to use a separate writing, called a Personal Property Memorandum, to direct the distribution of tangible personal property.
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• Be Specific: When describing items, provide detailed information to help the estate administrator identify them and ensure they are given to the correct recipients.
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• Keep Your Documentation Up-to-Date: Update your will, trust, and Personal Property Memorandum as needed to reflect any changes in your wishes or circumstances. 

By providing detailed instructions to your estate administrator, you can help ensure that your household contents are managed and distributed according to your wishes, minimizing potential complications and disputes, and easing the burden on your loved ones during a difficult time. 

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Washington State residents can meet with me in Zoom/DocuSign from anywhere in the world, and I can notarize their electronic signatures because I am a remote online notary.  Just email me an image of your photo ID.