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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“The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie – – deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth – – persistent, persuasive, unrealistic.”
– John F. Kennedy

Washington has a SuperWill statute which is a unique Washington feature that can override beneficiary designations on certain accounts.  It is dangerous, and it is one of the reasons MULVANEY LAW OFFICES, PLLC does not execute Wills either electronically or on paper.

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The Testator is a person who makes a Will, so if a person dies without a Will, then they are said to die Intestate. Washington has a statute that gives your Estate to your next of kin, which is essentially the Legislature writing a Will for everyone with the most common, logical and fair distributions that only a few people override.

What this means is: Spouse – All Community Property + ½ of Separate Property if Children are alive

¾ of Separate Property if no Children survive and either a Parent or Sibling of of the Deceased survives to take the other ¼; All Separate Property if no Children, no Parents, and no Siblings.

If no living Spouse, then to Children Equally; If none, then to Parents Equally; If none, then to Siblings Equally; If none then to Grandparents Equally… All relations at the same level take equally, relations at a more distant level take by Representation meaning the children of the Predeceased Beneficiary share Equally.

There are many cartoons about wills, probates, and inheritance that use humor to explore the complex emotions surrounding death and estate planning. These cartoons often touch upon topics such as: 

• Inheritance squabbles: Many cartoons depict humorous scenarios where family members bicker or fight over the deceased’s possessions.
• The unexpected terms of a will: Some cartoons poke fun at eccentric or bizarre requests left in wills, such as leaving large sums to pets or specifying unusual burial arrangements.
• The emotional rollercoaster of grief: Humor can be a way to process difficult emotions related to death, and these cartoons offer a lighthearted approach to the topic.
• The role of lawyers and legal processes: Cartoons sometimes humorously depict the complex and confusing nature of probate and inheritance laws. 

Where to find these cartoons:

• Stock illustration websites: Websites like CartoonStock and Shutterstock offer a wide selection of death and family cartoons, many of which focus on wills and inheritance.
• Online cartoon archives: Many cartoonists and publications have online archives where you can find cartoons related to wills, probates, and estate planning. 

Examples of humorous cartoon scenarios:

• A lawyer reading a will to a room full of greedy relatives, who look shocked and disappointed by the contents.
• A deceased person’s ghost observing their family fighting over their belongings.
• A pet inheriting a large sum of money and living a life of luxury. 

These are just a few examples of the humorous ways in which wills and inheritance are portrayed in cartoons. By using humor, these cartoons offer a unique and insightful perspective on a serious and often sensitive topic.

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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.

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