RCW 11.96A.120
Application of doctrine of virtual representation. (Effective until January 1, 2012.)

(1) This section is intended to adopt the common law concept of virtual representation. This section supplements the common law relating to the doctrine of virtual representation and shall not be construed as limiting the application of that common law doctrine.

     (2) Any notice requirement in this title is satisfied if notice is given as follows:

     (a) Where an interest in an estate, trust, or nonprobate asset or an interest that may be affected by a power of attorney has been given to persons who comprise a certain class upon the happening of a certain event, notice may be given to the living persons who would constitute the class if the event had happened immediately before the commencement of the proceeding requiring notice, and the persons shall virtually represent all other members of the class;

     (b) Where an interest in an estate, trust, or nonprobate asset or an interest that may be affected by a power of attorney has been given to a living person, and the same interest, or a share in it, is to pass to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner or to persons who are, or might be, the distributees, heirs, issue, or other kindred of that living person upon the happening of a future event, notice may be given to that living person, and the living person shall virtually represent the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, distributees, heirs, issue, or other kindred of the person; and

     (c) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, where an interest in an estate, trust, or nonprobate asset or an interest that may be affected by a power of attorney has been given to a person or a class of persons, or both, upon the happening of any future event, and the same interest or a share of the interest is to pass to another person or class of persons, or both, upon the happening of an additional future event, notice may be given to the living person or persons who would take the interest upon the happening of the first event, and the living person or persons shall virtually represent the persons and classes of persons who might take on the happening of the additional future event.

     (3) A party is not virtually represented by a person receiving notice if a conflict of interest involving the matter is known to exist between the notified person and the party.

     (4) An action taken by the court is conclusive and binding upon each person receiving actual or constructive notice or who is otherwise virtually represented.

[2008 c 6 § 928; 2001 c 203 § 11; 1999 c 42 § 305.]

NOTES:

     Part headings not law -- Severability -- 2008 c 6: See RCW 26.60.900 and 26.60.901.

     RCW 11.96A.120
Application of doctrine of virtual representation. (Effective January 1, 2012.)

(1) With respect to a particular matter that affects a trust, probate estate, guardianship estate, or property subject to a power of attorney, in which the interests of such fiduciary estate and the beneficiaries are not in conflict:

     (a) A guardian may represent and bind the estate that the guardian controls;

     (b) An agent having authority to act with respect to the particular question or dispute may represent and bind the principal;

     (c) A trustee may represent and bind the beneficiaries of the trust; and

     (d) A personal representative of a decedent's estate may represent and bind persons interested in the estate.

     (2) This section is intended to adopt the common law concept of virtual representation. This section supplements the common law relating to the doctrine of virtual representation and shall not be construed as limiting the application of that common law doctrine.

     (3) Any notice requirement in this title is satisfied if:

     (a) Where an interest in an estate, trust, or nonprobate asset or an interest that may be affected by a power of attorney has been given to persons who comprise a certain class upon the happening of a certain event, notice may be given to the living persons who would constitute the class if the event had happened immediately before the commencement of the proceeding requiring notice, and the persons shall virtually represent all other members of the class;

     (b) Where an interest in an estate, trust, or nonprobate asset or an interest that may be affected by a power of attorney has been given to a living person, and the same interest, or a share in it, is to pass to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner or to persons who are, or might be, the distributees, heirs, issue, or other kindred of that living person upon the happening of a future event, notice may be given to that living person, and the living person shall virtually represent the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, distributees, heirs, issue, or other kindred of the person;

     (c) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, where an interest in an estate, trust, or nonprobate asset or an interest that may be affected by a power of attorney has been given to a person or a class of persons, or both, upon the happening of any future event, and the same interest or a share of the interest is to pass to another person or class of persons, or both, upon the happening of an additional future event, notice may be given to the living person or persons who would take the interest upon the happening of the first event, and the living person or persons shall virtually represent the persons and classes of persons who might take on the happening of the additional future event; and

     (d) The holder of a general power of appointment, exercisable either during the power holder's life or by will, or a limited power of appointment, exercisable either during the power holder's life or by will, that excludes as possible appointees only the power holder, his or her estate, his or her creditors, and the creditors of his or her estate, may accept notice and virtually represent and bind persons whose interests, as permissible appointees, takers in default, or otherwise, are subject to the power, to the extent there is no conflict of interest between the holder of the power of appointment and the persons represented with respect to the particular question or dispute.

     (4) A party is not virtually represented by a person receiving notice if a conflict of interest involving the matter is known to exist between the notified person and the party.

     (5) An action taken by the court is conclusive and binding upon each person receiving actual or constructive notice or who is otherwise represented under this section.

[2011 c 327 § 9; 2008 c 6 § 928; 2001 c 203 § 11; 1999 c 42 § 305.]

NOTES:

     Application -- Effective date -- 2011 c 327: See notes following RCW 11.103.020.

     Part headings not law -- Severability -- 2008 c 6: See RCW 26.60.900 and 26.60.901.