Court Opinion

ID: 2715121
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-06 17:15:53.660624+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:53:08.631181
License: Public Domain

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      IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

In re the Estate of                                    No. 69608-4-1
                                                       (Consolidated with
J. THOMAS BERNARD,                                       No. 69702-1-1)

                      Deceased.                        DIVISION ONE

                                                       PUBLISHED

                                                       FILED: August 4, 2014

       Cox, J. —A court's paramount duty in construing a testamentary

instrument is to give effect to the maker's intent.1 We determine that intent from

the instrument as a whole.2 Similarly, "[t]he 'touchstone of contract interpretation

is the parties' intent.'"3 We follow "the objective manifestation theory of contracts,

imputing an intention corresponding to the reasonable meaning of the words

used."4

       Generally, a personal representative of an estate has the right to appeal

an adverse decision in a will contest, as it is the duty of the executor to take all

       1 In re Estate of Riemcke. 80 Wash. 2d 722, 728, 497 P.2d 1319 (1972).

       3 Realm. Inc. v. City of Olvmpia. 168 Wash. App. 1, 4-5, 277 P.3d 679
(quoting Durand v. HIMC Corp., 151 Wash. App. 818, 829, 214 P.3d 189 (2009)),
review denied. 175 Wash. 2d 1015 (2012).

       4 Id. at 5.
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1 -l)/2

legitimate steps to uphold the testamentary instrument.5 Likewise, a trustee may

appeal an adverse ruling that goes to the validity of the trust itself.6

         Here, a trial court judge decided on reconsideration of a motion for partial

summary judgment that the First Codicil to the Will of J. Thomas Bernard, dated

August 27, 2009, and the First Amendment to the J. Thomas Bernard Revocable

Trust Agreement of even date were null and void as a matter of law. We

conclude from our de novo review of these and other material documents that

this was error.

         We also conclude that a different trial court judge erred in deciding that the

personal representative of the estate and the trustees of the trust did not have

the right to appeal the adverse ruling we described in the previous paragraph.

The circumstances of this case do not warrant that ruling.

         We reverse and remand for further proceedings.

         In 2008, James Bernard filed a petition for guardianship of his father, J.

Thomas Bernard, and his father's estate. James alleged in the petition that Tom

suffered from dementia and short-term memory loss.7 James also alleged that

Tom's reasoning and judgment were impaired and that Tom was vulnerable to

financial exploitation.

         The following year, Tom executed the Will of J. Thomas Bernard and the

J. Thomas Bernard Revocable Trust Agreement, both of which are dated March

         5 See In re Klein's Estate, 28 Wash. 2d 456, 475, 183 P.2d 518 (1947).

         6 See In re Ferrall's Estate, 33 Cal. 2d 202, 205-06, 200 P.2d 1 (Cal.
1948).

         7 For clarity, we refer to father and son by their first names.
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/3

25, 2009. On advice of counsel, Tom used a revocable living trust "to avoid any

negative tax consequences along with a notice requirement to [James] if Tom

wanted to modify the Trust."8

       On March 27, 2009, the superior court dismissed the guardianship petition

that James filed the previous year.

       The trust agreement provided that the residue of Tom's estate would pass

to James or his issue. It also provided that if James predeceased Tom and left

no issue, the estate would pass to Tom's niece and nephews, Rose Linger, Larry

Emery, and Richard Emery (the "Linger Beneficiaries"), and to various

organizations. Under this instrument, each of the Linger Beneficiaries was to

receive a 20 percent share.

       Tom reserved in this revocable trust the power to revoke, withdraw

property from, or modify the trust. These rights are stated in Article 3.1 of the

trust instrument. Additionally, the instrument included provisions about

exercising these rights:

              3.2 Effectiveness. Any revocation, withdrawal of property,
       or modification shall be valid and fully effective whenever Trustee
       shall receive from Trustor written notice thereof, except that the
       powers and duties of Trustee shall not be changed without
       Trustee's written consent. In the case of revocation or withdrawal
       of property, Trustee shall have a reasonable time to transfer or
       deliver the property.

              3.3 Rights Personal to Trustor Subject to Binding Non-
       Judicial Agreement. The rights reserved by the Trustor are
       personal to Trustor and may not be exercised by Trustor's
       attorneys-in-fact appointed under a duly executed durable power of
       attorney or by any guardian of Trustor's estate absent court order of

       8 Clerk's Papers at 423.
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/4

       a court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any other
       provision of this Agreement, such rights are subject to that certain
       Non-Judicial Agreement regarding the J. Thomas Bernard
       Revocable Living Trust Agreement ("TEDRA") of even date
       herewith and are not exercisable by Trustor unless and until Trustor
       obtains the court order required by such agreement and otherwise
       satisfies all of the requirements imposed by the TEDRA. If and to
       the extent such TEDRA is determined to be unenforceable for any
       reason, the restrictions on Trustor's right to revoke, modify, and/or
       withdraw property from this Trust as stated therein shall be
       incorporated in this Agreement by reference and shall remain fully
       enforceable against the Trustor.191

       Tom and James also executed the "Non-Judicial Agreement Re Trust

Pursuant to RCW 11.96A," effective as of March 27, 2009 (the "March TEDRA

agreement").10 They were the only parties to this agreement.

       The agreement stated that it was "a compromise to certain disputes that

have arisen between Tom and James regarding the current management and

future disposition of Tom's assets."11 It also stated that the parties "agree that

establishing the Trust and agreeing to the terms of this Agreement is a mutually

acceptable less restrictive alternative to a guardianship of the estate and James

will forgo filing for a guardianship of Tom's estate so long as this Trust is in force

and functional."12

       The agreement further provided three requirements to be met before Tom

exercised his modification powers:

       9 Id. at 208 (emphasis added).

       10 Id. at 427-32.

       11 ]d at 428.

       12 Id.
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/5

         [Ajlthough both the Trust and the Will remain revocable and/or
         modifiable by Tom during his lifetime, the Parties agree that no
         exercise of Tom's Modification Powers over either or both of the
         Trust and/or the Will shall be effective unless and until:

                i. Tom files a petition for a hearing under RCW 11.96A in
         King County Superior court which clearly and specifically sets forth
         a particular proposal for an exercise of his Modification Powers,

               ii. timely provides James with a summons for such hearing
         pursuant to RCW 11.96A.100 (and otherwise complies with the
         substantive and procedural provisions of RCW 11.96A), and

               iii. as a result of such a hearing, the court issues an order
         approving the exercise of some or all of the particular Modification
         Power(s) expressly requested in Tom's petition.

                Accordingly, the Parties expressly acknowledge and agree
         that any exercise by Tom of his Modification Powers over the Trust
         and/or the Will without first obtaining such a court order (and
         otherwise complying with the terms of this Agreement) shall be null
         and void.[13]

         In June 2009, Tom's attorney filed with the superior court a memorandum

summarizing the terms of the March TEDRA agreement.

         Tom's relationship with his niece, Rose Linger, deteriorated. In July 2009,

the trustees for the trust sued Linger and her husband to collect outstanding

loans.

         In August 2009, Tom and his son, James, executed a second "Non-

Judicial Agreement Pursuant to RCW 11.96A," effective as of August 27, 2009

(the "August TEDRA agreement"). They were the only parties to this second

agreement.

         13
              Id. at 429.
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/6

       This August TEDRA agreement acknowledged the three modification

requirements set out in the March TEDRA agreement. It also stated that "this

Amended Agreement will satisfy the [March TEDRA] Agreement's requirement to

obtain a court order prior to any exercise of Tom's Modification Powers."

        The August TEDRA agreement included, as attached exhibits,

unexecuted copies of the First Amendment to the J. Thomas Bernard Revocable

Trust Agreement and the First Codicil to the Will of J. Thomas Bernard.

       The first amendment to trust and the first codicil state that they are also

effective as of August 27, 2009.

      The substance of the changes from the March 2009 trust was to reduce

the shares of the Linger Beneficiaries from 20 percent each to $20,000 each.

Moreover, the first amendment to trust added additional contingent beneficiaries:

Leah Karp, Diane Viars, and Daniel Reina (collectively the "Karp Beneficiaries").

These beneficiaries are also to receive shares of the trust estate, two of them

receiving 15 percent shares each, and one receiving a 25 percent share.

      This record indicates that the trust estate is substantial. Thus, the

distributive scheme—shares of $20,000 or percentages of the trust estate—has a

substantial impact on the amounts that the contingent beneficiaries may receive

from the estate.

       In February 2010, Tom's attorney filed with the superior court a

memorandum summarizing the terms of the August TEDRA agreement.

      James predeceased Tom in September 2010, leaving no issue. Tom died

in January 2011.

                                             6
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/7

       Afterthe filing of Tom's testamentary documents with the court, the Linger

Beneficiaries, by amended petition, contested the March TEDRA agreement, the

Will of J. Thomas Bernard dated March 25, 2009, the J. Thomas Bernard

Revocable Trust Agreement dated March 25, 2009, the First Codicil to the Will of

J. Thomas Bernard, dated August 27, 2009,14 and the First Amendment to the J.

Thomas Bernard Revocable Trust Agreement, dated August 27, 2009.

       The Linger Beneficiaries moved for partial summary judgment. They

requested that the court invalidate the "March Agreement." They identified this

agreement as including the March TEDRA agreement, the will, and the revocable

trust. They also sought to invalidate the "August Agreement." They identified

this agreement as including the August TEDRA agreement, the first codicil, and

the first amendment to trust.

      Alternatively, the Linger Beneficiaries argued that the "August 2009

Amendment"—the first amendment to trust and the first codicil—was void. The

personal representative of the estate, the trustees of the trust, and the Karp

Beneficiaries opposed the motion.

      The trial court denied the motion for partial summary judgment, concluding

that there were genuine issues of material fact related to the March TEDRA

agreement. The court deferred making any decision "involving the validity and

       14 The parties erroneously stated that these documents were dated August
22, 2009. The record indicates that the first amendment to trust and the first
codicil were executed on August 27, 2009 and that the effective date of the
August TEDRA agreement was also August 27, 2009. See Clerk's Papers at 11,
239-42, 422, 440.
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/8

effectiveness of subsequent agreements reached between the testator, [Tom],

and his son [James], specifically the August TEDRA agreement."

        The Linger Beneficiaries moved for reconsideration of the denial of

summary judgment. They requested the court to reconsider its deferral of the

legal issues related to the validity of the August TEDRA agreement, the first

amendment to trust, and the first codicil.

        By its order dated October 19, 2012, the trial court granted the motion for

reconsideration. It concluded that the first codicil, effective as of August 27,

2009, and the first amendment to trust of even date were "null and void as a

matter of law." This order incorporated the court's oral ruling of October 12,

2012.

        The Karp Beneficiaries moved for reconsideration of the October 19, 2012

order. The personal representative of the estate and the trustees joined in their

motion. The court ultimately denied reconsideration.

        The personal representative of the estate and the trustees of the trust

petitioned for instructions. They sought a determination whether they had a right

to appeal the October 19, 2012 order. The Karp Beneficiaries supported this

petition. A court commissioner decided that the personal representative and the

trustees "have an absolute right to appeal" this order.

        The Linger Beneficiaries moved for revision of the commissioner's order,

and the matter came before a different superior court judge than the one who

entered the October 19, 2012 order. The revision judge granted this motion,

                                             8
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/9

concluding that the personal representative and trustees "do not have the right to

appeal" the October 19, 2012 order.

       The Karp Beneficiaries appeal. The personal representative of the estate

and trustees of the trust also appeal.

       THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO TRUST AND FIRST CODICIL TO WILL

       The Karp Beneficiaries argue that the trial court erred when it concluded

that the first amendment to trust, effective August 27, 2009, and first codicil to will

of even date are null and void as a matter of law. We agree.

       We review de novo the grant or denial of a summary judgment motion.15

Summary judgment is appropriate only if there is no genuine issue of material

fact, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.16 The court

must consider all facts submitted and all reasonable inferences from the facts in

the light most favorable to the nonmoving party.17

       We review de novo the interpretation of a will or trust instrument.18

"Where the meaning of an instrument evidencing a trust is unambiguous, the

      15 Tiffany Family Trust Corp. v. City of Kent, 155 Wash. 2d 225, 230, 119
P.3d 325 (2005).

       16
            CR 56(c).

       17 Yakima Fruit & Cold Storage Co. v. Cent. Heating & Plumbing Co., 81
Wash. 2d 528, 530, 503 P.2d 108 (1972).

       18 In re Wash. Builders Benefit Trust, 173 Wash. App. 34, 75, 293 P.3d 1206
(citing In re Estate of Curry, 98 Wash. App. 107, 112-13, 988 P.2d 505 (1999)),
review denied, 177 Wash. 2d 1018 (2013).

                                              9
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/10

instrument is not one requiring judicial construction or interpretation ... ,"19

       When construing a testamentary instrument, our paramount duty is to give

effect to the maker's intent.20 That intent must be gathered from the instrument

as a whole, and specific provisions must be construed in light of the entire

document.21

       Similarly, "[t]he 'touchstone of contract interpretation is the parties'

intent.'"22 "Washington courts follow the objective manifestation theory of

contracts, imputing an intention corresponding to the reasonable meaning of the

words used."23

       Here, the trial court did not address whether Tom had the capacity to

make any of the testamentary documents or the two TEDRA agreements that are

before us. Neither do we. The question of his capacity is not properly before us

at this time, despite this argument in the appellate briefing by the Linger

Beneficiaries. Likewise, the question of whether Tom was subjected to undue

influence is not before us.

     19 Templeton v. Peoples Nat'l Bank of Wash., 106 Wash. 2d 304, 309, 722
P.2d63(1986).

       20 Riemcke, 80 Wash. 2d at 728.

       21 jd

       22 Realm, 168 Wash. App. at 4-5 (quoting Durand, 151 Wash. App. at 829).

       23 Jd at 5.

                                              10
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/11

       Rather, the focus of our review is limited to the trial court's decision

declaring the first codicil to will, effective as of August 27, 2009, and the first

amendment to trust of even date void as a matter of law.

                    Terms of the March 25, 2009 Trust and Will

       In order to determine whether Tom complied with the specific method of

modification when he executed the first amendment to trust, we first determine

the modification requirements imposed by the trust itself.

       The following articles in the trust instrument are relevant to this inquiry:

              3.2 Effectiveness. Any revocation, withdrawal of property,
       or modification shall be valid and fully effective whenever Trustee
       shall receive from Trustor written notice thereof, except that the
       powers and duties of Trustee shall not be changed without
       Trustee's written consent. In the case of revocation or withdrawal
       of property, Trustee shall have a reasonable time to transfer or
       deliver the property.

               3.3 Rights Personal to Trustor Subject to Binding Non-
       Judicial Agreement. The rights reserved by the Trustor are
       personal to Trustor and may not be exercised by Trustor's
       attorneys-in-fact appointed under a dully executed durable power of
       attorney or by any guardian of trustor's estate absent court order of
       a court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any other
       provision of this Agreement, such rights are subject to that certain
       Non-Judicial Agreement regarding the J. Thomas Bernard
       Revocable Living Trust Agreement ('TEDRA") of even date
       herewith and are not exercisable by Trustor unless and until Trustor
       obtains the court order required by such agreement and otherwise
       satisfies all of the requirements imposed by the TEDRA. If and to
       the extent such TEDRA is determined to be unenforceable for
       any reason, the restrictions on Trustor's right to revoke, modify,
       and/or withdraw property from this Trust as stated therein shall be
       incorporated in this Agreement by reference and shall remain
       fully enforceable against the Trustor.[24]

       24 Clerk's Papers at 208 (emphasis added).

                                              11
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/12

       Article 3.2 of this trust makes clear that Tom could modify the March 2009

trust and that such modifications "shall be valid and fully effective" on written

notice to the trustee.25 Of course, this provision is subject to other material

provisions of this trust.

       Article 3.3 imposes additional conditions on modification of the trust

beyond written notice to the trustee. Specifically, the Trust instrument states that

modification is "subject to" the March TEDRA agreement.26

       The Linger Beneficiaries point to Article 3.3 to assert that this provision

incorporates the terms of the March TEDRA agreement into the trust instrument.

We disagree.

       "Considerable caution must be exercised in applying the doctrine of

incorporation by reference."27 The reference "must show an intention on the part

of the testator to incorporate or adopt the document referred to. The intention of

the testator to incorporate into a will a paper or document must clearly appear...

."28 Additionally, it "must clearly and definitely describe or identify the documents

intended to be incorporated, or render them capable of identification by extrinsic

evidence, so that no room for doubt can exist as to what papers were meant."29

       25 ]d

       26 ]d (emphasis added).

       27 Baarslag v. Hawkins. 12 Wash. App. 756, 763, 531 P.2d 1283 (1975).

       28 id (quoting 94 C.J.S. Wills § 163 (1956)).

       29 id

                                             12
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1 -l)/13

       Here, Tom's decision to use the term "subject to" in Article 3.3 is

significant. It shows that he intended the primary relationship between the trust

instrument and the March TEDRA agreement to be conditional, not one of

incorporation.

       This conclusion is supported by examining the definitions of these terms.

"Incorporate" is defined as "[t]o combine with something else" and "[t]o make the

terms of another (esp. earlier) document part of a document by specific

reference."30 "Subject" is defined as "[c]ontingent or dependent."31

       Further, the plain words of this article also show that Tom intended that

incorporation of the provisions of the March TEDRA agreement into the trust was

conditioned on the happening of future events. The first clause of the last

sentence of this article conditions incorporation of the March agreement on "if

and to the extent such TEDRA is determined to be unenforceable."32 And the

use of the words "shall be incorporated in this Agreement by reference . . ."

further conditions incorporation on a future event following the effective date of

the trust.33

       Thus, the plain language of the trust shows that the substantive

requirements of the March TEDRA agreement would not be combined into the

       30 Black's Law Dictionary 834 (9th ed. 2009).

       31 American Heritage Dictionary 1788 (3d ed. 1992).

       32 Clerk's Papers at 208 (emphasis added).

       33 k± (emphasis added).
                                            13
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/14

trust instrument itself, absent a determination that the March TEDRA agreement

was unenforceable.

       Accordingly, when we apply the plain meaning of "subject to" in this

context, we conclude that modification of this March 2009 trust was also

contingent on compliance with the provisions of the March TEDRA agreement as

it then existed or was later amended. Tom's intent in Article 3.3 was to require

compliance with such provisions of this agreement as a condition to modifying

the trust.

        A necessary implication of this wording and structure is that the March

TEDRA agreement could be modified without modifying the terms of the trust.

The terms of the trust itself would only be modified upon incorporation, only

triggered by a determination that the agreement was unenforceable.

       Our conclusion is consistent with Tom's counsel's, one of the drafting

attorneys, explanation of the reason for preparing these two instruments in the

ways stated:

       The Three Steps [stated in the March TEDRA agreement] were
       intentionally not incorporated into the [March 2009] Revocable
       Living Trust agreement, except in the unlikely event [that] the
       March TEDRA Agreement was determined to be unenforceable
       (see Revocable Trust agreement, Paragraph 3.3). This was done
       so that, provided the March TEDRA Agreement was not determined
       to be unenforceable, the delivery by Tom to his trustees of "written
       notice thereof" would be all that was required for Tom to
       unequivocally manifest his intention to revoke or modify the Estate
       Planning Documents (see Revocable Trust agreement, Paragraph
       3.2), provided that any such amendment would be "subject to"the
       contractual rights (if any) conferred upon James in the March
       TEDRA Agreement, as it may be amended.[34]

       34 Clerk's Papers at 786 (some emphasis added).

                                           14
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/15

        A related question is whether the March 2009 will incorporates the

provisions of the March 2009 TEDRA agreement. We conclude that the will does

not incorporate these provisions.

       Tom's March 2009 will contains a similar provision to that in the March

2009 trust. Specifically, it states:

       This Will is subject to that certain Non-Judicial Agreement regarding the
       J. Thomas Bernard Revocable Living Trust Agreement of even date
        herewith.[35]

        Noticeably absent is any mention of incorporation of the provisions of the

Non-Judicial Agreement Re Trust Pursuant to RCW 11.96A, effective as of

March 27, 2009. For the reasons we already discussed with respect to the

March 2009 trust, the provisions of the March TEDRA agreement were never

incorporated into the will itself. We conclude that modification of the March 2009

will was also "subject to" compliance with the terms of the March 2009 TEDRA

agreement.

                        Terms of the March TEDRA Agreement

       As just discussed, modification of both the trust and will is conditioned on

satisfying the provisions of the separate March TEDRA agreement as it then

existed or was later modified. Accordingly, we must determine the terms of the

March TEDRA agreement at the time that Tom executed the first amendment to

trust and the first codicil.

       The plain language of the March TEDRA agreement states:

       35 id at 7 (emphasis added).

                                            15
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/16

       [Although both the Trust and the Will remain revocable and/or
       modifiable by Tom during his lifetime, the Parties agree that no
       exercise of Tom's Modification Powers over either or both of
       the Trust and/or the Will shall be effective unless and until:

                i. Tom files a petition for a hearing under RCW 11.96A in
       King County Superior court which clearly and specifically sets forth
       a particular proposal for an exercise of his Modification Powers,

             ii. timely provides James with a summons for such hearing
       pursuant to RCW 11.96A.100 (and otherwise complies with the
       substantive and procedural provisions of RCW 11.96A), and

             iii. as a result of such a hearing, the court issues an order
       approving the exercise of some or all of the particular Modification
       Power(s) expressly requested in Tom's petition.

              Accordingly, the Parties expressly acknowledge and agree
       that any exercise by Tom of his Modification Powers over the Trust
       and/or Will without first obtaining such a court order (and otherwise
       complying with the terms of this Agreement) shall be null and
       void.t36]

       This agreement imposes three further requirements for modification of the

trust beyond the requirement of written notification to the trustees imposed by

Article 3.2 of the trust. Namely, the March TEDRA agreement requires that Tom

petition for a hearing (specifically stating the proposed modifications), serve

James with a summons for that hearing, and obtain a court order as a result of

that hearing.

       The next question is whether these terms were later modified by the

August TEDRA agreement. This inquiry involves two questions. First, whether

the March TEDRA could be modified by a second TEDRA agreement. Second,

       36 id at 429 (emphasis added).

                                             16
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/17

if so, whether the August TEDRA agreement modified the March TEDRA

agreement's three requirements.

       First, we must determine whether the March TEDRA could be modified by

another TEDRA agreement. The Karp Beneficiaries argue that the trial court

erred when it concluded that the March TEDRA agreement expressly required a

court order to modify it and that the March TEDRA agreement could not be

nonjudicially amended. We agree.

       As the trial court correctly recognized in its oral decision, "The case law is

clear that parties to an agreement setting forth restrictions or limitations on

modifications to a contract are free to later waive, supersede or revoke those

limitations and restrictions."37 The court cited to Smyth Worldwide Movers. Inc. v.

Whitney for the following proposition: "If the parties to an action made by

stipulation consent to the entry of a judgment, we know of no reason why they

cannot also consent to its vacation or modification ... ."38

       But after acknowledging these general principles, the court commented,

"[T]hat is not the scenario here."39 It concluded that the March TEDRA

agreement could not be modified, stating:

              The March TEDRA agreement expressly provided that
       the parties could not modify that agreement without prior
       court approval. Under TEDRA, upon filing the agreement, the
       agreement is equivalent to a final court order, binding on all
       persons interested in the estate or trust. Thus, this Court can only

       37 Clerk's Papers at 810-11.

       38 id at 810 (citing 6 Wash. App. 176, 179, 491 P.2d 1356 (1971).

       39 id at 811.

                                             17
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/18

       construe the March agreement as a court order mandating that the
       March agreement could not be modified or rescinded without prior
       court approval. By invoking the jurisdiction and authority of the
       court, the parties could not waive or rescind the court order
       requiring prior court approval for modification.[40]

       But the March TEDRA agreement is silent on whether the parties could

modify that agreement without prior court approval. The court misread this

agreement to say otherwise.

       The plain language of the March TEDRA agreement provides that the

three requirements apply to an exercise of Tom's "Modification Powers" over

"either or both of the Trust and/or the 1V///."41 The March TEDRA agreement

is not either of these two.

       The term "Modification Powers" is expressly defined in the March TEDRA

agreement:

               b. Power to Revoke. Pursuant to Article 3 of the Trust, Tom
       has reserved the right (a) to revoke the Trust in its entirety, (b) to
       partially revoke or modify the Trust, and (c) to withdraw from the
       operation of the Trust any part or all of the Trust estate. Moreover,
       under Washington State law, Tom reserves the right at any time to
       amend or revoke the will. Collectively, the rights described in
       the immediately two preceding sentences shall be referred to
       as Tom's "Modification Powers "[A2]

       Accordingly, Tom's "Modification Powers" include: (1) the right to revoke

the Trust in its entirety, (2) the right to partially revoke or modify the Trust, (3) the

right to withdraw part or all of the Trust estate, and (4) the right to amend or

       40 Id. (emphasis added).

       41 id at 429 (emphasis added).

       42 id 428-29 (emphasis added).

                                               18
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1 -l)/19

revoke the will.43 Thus, modification ofthe underlying March TEDRA agreement

was not an exercise of these "Modification Powers."

       Consequently, the plain language of the March TEDRA agreement

indicates that the three requirements do not apply to modification of the March

TEDRA agreement itself.

       As the Karp Beneficiaries point out, this conclusion is consistent with the

purpose and policies of the TEDRA statute and Washington common law.

       The legislature expressly stated that the "overall purpose" of TEDRA is "to

provide nonjudicial methods for the resolution of matters, such as mediation,

arbitration, and agreement."44 Moreover, this appears to be consistent with the

practice in trusts and estate, as illustrated by the following declaration from

Professor Karen E. Boxx of the University of Washington School of Law:

       Allowing the parties who initially reached a non-judicial resolution to
       a matter involving a trust or estate to subsequently change their
       agreement regardless of whether the original agreement or a
       memorandum of the agreement was filed with the court is without
       question within the intent and purpose of TEDRA.[45]

       The trial court erred when it concluded that the March TEDRA agreement

could not be modified by the August TEDRA agreement.

      The Linger Beneficiaries argue that the express language placing

restrictions on modification also encompasses the March TEDRA agreement

itself. They focus on the words "any exercise" to argue that the March TEDRA

       43
            See id.

       44RCW11.96A.010.

       45 Clerk's Papers at 537.

                                             19
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/20

agreement "explicitly restricted 'any exercise' of Tom's modification powers

without complying with the modification restrictions." But, as discussed

previously, the plain language of the March TEDRA agreement indicates that the

three-step process applies only to Tom's "Modification Powers" over the trust or

the will. The Linger Beneficiaries' argument to the contrary is not persuasive.

       Second, because we conclude that the March TEDRA agreement could

be modified by a second TEDRA agreement, we look to the August TEDRA

agreement to determine if it modified the March TEDRA agreement's

modification requirements.

       The August TEDRA agreement acknowledged the three requirements

imposed by the March TEDRA Agreement. It also recognized that TEDRA

permits parties to execute a written agreement and that upon filling the

agreement will be the equivalent of a final court order. It then stated:

              5. Amendment. Tom desires, and James desires for Tom,
      to modify Article 8 [of the March 2009 trust instrument] in the form
      of the attached Exhibit A [first amendment to trust] and his Will in
      the form of the attached Exhibit B [first codicil to will]. The Parties
      agree and acknowledge that because the Modification Restrictions
      are imposed solely by virtue of the Agreement between the Parties,
      the Parties agree and represent that they are the sole necessary
      parties and have the power to modify such restrictions by further
      agreement. Additionally, and in any event, by virtue of RCW
      11.96A.230, once this Amended [August TEDRA] Agreement (or a
      summary memorandum of such agreement) is filed, this Amended
      [August TEDRA] Agreement will satisfy the [March TEDRA]
      Agreement's requirement to obtain a court order prior to any
      exercise of Tom's Modification Powers. Accordingly, the
      Parties agree that this Amended [August TEDRA] Agreement
      is a more efficient method of enabling Tom to exercise such
       powers.[46]

      46 id. at 437 (emphasis added).

                                            20
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/21

       Another provision stated:

              b. Amendment. The Parties agree that the [March TEDRA]
       Agreement is hereby amended to provide that notwithstanding any
       provision of the Agreement, Trust or Will, the Parties agree that the
       Trust and Will are hereby amended as of the effective dates of such
       documents in the manner provided in the attached Exhibits A and
       B, respectively. Following the execution of the First Amendment
       and the First Codicil, the Modification Restrictions shall remain in
       full force, subject to further unanimous amendment of the
       PartiesJ47!

       Overall, these provisions do not substantively change the three

requirements in the March TEDRA agreement. Rather, the use of the term

"satisfy" in the first of the two previous provisions shows that Tom and James

were not trying to change the March TEDRA agreement's requirements but

instead, were trying to comply with them. Thus, we consider whether they did so.

                              Substantial Compliance

       The next question that we decide is whether Tom substantially complied

with the modification requirements set forth in the trust and in the March TEDRA

agreement. By executing the August TEDRA agreement and filing a

memorandum of this agreement, we hold that he did.

       "The rule is that the settlor of a trust has the power to revoke the trust if

and to the extent that, by the terms of the trust, he reserved such a power.

Where the trust instrument specifies the method of revocation, only that method

can be used."48

       47 ]d at 438.

       48 In re Estate of Button. 79 Wash. 2d 849, 852, 490 P.2d 731 (1971)
(citations omitted).
                                             21
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/22

       In Williams v. Bank of California N.A.. the supreme court held that the

doctrine of substantial compliance may be sufficient to validate a trust

amendment.49 The supreme court defined substantial compliance to mean

"closely in conformance."50

       There, the supreme court concluded that there was substantial

compliance to uphold the trust amendment in question.51 The court stated that

"the procedure used in adopting the amendment followed rather closely the

method provided in the trust agreement."52 It also stated that "there is no

question concerning intent, requiring unyielding conformance to [the amendment

provision] in this instance would only frustrate intent."53

       This court also considered the validity of an amendment under the

doctrine of substantial compliance in the case In re Estate of Tosh.54 There, the

trust provided that it could be amended by the trustor "by a duly executed

instrument filed with Trustee."55 The parties attempted to amend the trust by

"simply inserting a new page six into the previously executed document."56

       49 96 Wash. 2d 860, 867-68, 639 P.2d 1339 (1982).

       50 ]d at 866.

       51 id at 868.

       52 id

       53 id at 866-67.

       54 83 Wash. App. 158, 920 P.2d 1230 (1996).

       55 id at 161-62.

       56idat161.
                                             22
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/23

       This court acknowledged that "[t]he record established] the clear intent of

the trustor to effect an amendment to the trust document, and a reasonable belief

on his part that he had done so."57 But it also stated:

       [W]e are satisfied that merely substituting a page of a trust
       agreement is not a 'duly executed instrument.' A more formal
       procedure is required. The substituted page was not initialed,
       signed, or witnessed in writing. The date at the bottom of the
       substituted page remained unchanged. No addendum or
       attachment was added to the trust instrument. Indeed, nothing on
       the face of the document indicated that it had been amended.'581

       In concluding that the amendment in that case was invalid, this court

distinguished Williams on the basis that "no close conformity occurred" and on

the basis that in Williams, "the requirements were eventually complied with."59

This court stated that "[c]lear evidence of both intent and belief cannot substitute

for actually, or substantially, doing what is required."60

       Here, as we previously discussed in this opinion, Article 3.2 of the trust

required Tom to give written notice to the trustees. In this case, there is no

dispute that Tom gave proper written notice of modification of this trust to the

trustees. Thus, Article 3.2 is not at issue here.

       Article 3.3 of the trust and the will both provide that Tom's right to modify

was also subject to the requirements of the March TEDRA agreement. This

agreement expressly required Tom to do three things. First, he had to petition

       57 \±

       58 id at 162.

       59 id

       60 Id.

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No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/24

the court for a hearing under RCW 11.96A and "clearly and specifically" set forth

a particular proposal to exercise his reserved power to modify the March 2009

trust or will.61 Second, Tom was to provide James with a summons for the

hearing.62 This included otherwise complying with RCW 11.96A. Third, Tom

was required to obtain an order approving his exercise of his right to modify.63

Tom's compliance with these requirements is at issue.

       Rather than utilizing the exact procedures set forth in the March TEDRA

agreement, Tom and James substantially complied with these requirements by

executing the August TEDRA agreement and later filing a memorandum of this

agreement. The record indicates that Tom deemed the procedures utilized in

August to be a more efficient method for him to modify the trust and will under

the circumstances.

       In the August TEDRA agreement, the parties expressly acknowledged

"that Article 3.3 of the Trust and the [March TEDRA] Agreement require Tom to

[follow the three-step process] in order to exercise his retained right to modify the

terms of the Trust or Will."64 The August TEDRA agreement also stated:

                5. Amendment. Tom desires, and James desires for Tom,
      to modify Article 8 [of the March 2009 trust] in the form of the
      attached Exhibit A [first amendment to trust] and his Will in the form
      of the attached Exhibit B [first codicil]. The Parties agree and
      acknowledge that because the Modification Restrictions are

       61 Clerk's Papers at 429.

       62 Id.

       63 id

       64 Id. at 436.

                                             24
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/25

      imposed solely by virtue of the Agreement between the Parties, the
      Parties agree and represent that they are the sole necessary
      parties and have the power to modify such restrictions by further
      agreement. Additionally, and in any event, by virtue of RCW
      11.96A.230, once this Amended [August TEDRA] Agreement (or a
      summary memorandum of such agreement) is filed, this [August
      TEDRA] Agreement will satisfy the [March TEDRA]
      Agreement's requirement to obtain a court order prior to any
      exercise of Tom's Modification Powers. Accordingly, the
      Parties agree that this Amended [August TEDRA] Agreement
      is a more efficient method of enabling Tom to exercise such
      powers.[65]

      The emphasized language in this provision shows the parties' clear intent

to satisfy the modification requirements in the March TEDRA agreement. It also

shows that they believed this to be a more efficient method than petitioning the

court, conducting a hearing, and obtaining an order entered by a judge. This

election is completely consistent with the policy of TEDRA, which promotes

efficiency through nonjudicial methods for resolution of matters.66

       Most importantly, the procedures stated in the August TEDRA agreement

and followed by the parties substantially comply with those stated in the March

TEDRA agreement.

       First, Tom elected not to petition for a hearing under RCW 11.96A to

obtain approval to modify the trust and his will of March 25, 2009. Instead, he

and James agreed, in writing, to the express terms of the modifications to each,

as evidenced by both signing the August TEDRA agreement. This agreement

      65 ]d at 437 (emphasis added).

        66 See RCW 11.96A.010 ("The overall purpose of this chapter is ... to
provide nonjudicial methods for the resolution of matters, such as mediation,
arbitration, and agreement.").
                                            25
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/26

includes as attachments unsigned copies of the first codicil and the first

amendment to trust, specifying the exact modification to each sought.

       Second, Tom did not provide James with a summons for the hearing

described in the prior paragraph of this opinion. Instead, Tom and James

agreed, in writing, that both the will and the trust should be modified in

accordance with the express terms of the August TEDRA agreement. Because

the only parties to the agreement stipulated to the result, it is unclear what

purpose the hearing that the Linger Beneficiaries argue should have occurred

would have accomplished. We see none.

       Third, there was no hearing and no court order entered by a judge

approving the modifications. Instead, the parties stipulated, in writing, that the

procedures of the August TEDRA agreement were sufficient to satisfy the

requirements of the March TEDRA agreement.

       Significantly, counsel for Tom filed with the court a memorandum

summarizing this agreement. RCW 11.96A.230(2) states, "On filing the

agreement or memorandum, the agreement will be deemed approved by the

court and is equivalent to a final court order. . . ."67 Although this

memorandum is not in the record, the parties do not dispute that it was filed.

       The filing with the superior court of the memorandum made the August

TEDRA agreement, by operation of law, one "deemed approved by the court"

and "equivalent to a final court order."68 Accordingly, the final requirement of the

       67 (Emphasis added.)

       68 RCW 11.96A.230.

                                             26
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/27

March TEDRA agreement, obtaining a court order, was fulfilled by this filing

under the plain words of RCW 11.96A.230.

       In sum, the August TEDRA agreement between Tom and James

substantially complied with the provisions of the March TEDRA agreement.

Although Tom utilized a different method than the one expressed in the March

TEDRA agreement, the method he utilized closely followed the March TEDRA

agreement's process. The first amendment to trust, effective as of August 27,

2009, and the first codicil of even date were not void as a matter of law.

       The Linger Beneficiaries argue that there was no substantial compliance

with the provisions of the March TEDRA agreement. They are wrong.

       First, they argue that the first requirement to petition a court for a hearing

was not substantially complied with because 'Tom desired that a court would

review the modifications sought to be made." That is possible.

       But even if we agreed that Tom desired a court to review the proposed

modifications, it is clear that James reviewed and approved the changes. Why

court intervention under these circumstances would be required is left

unexplained. This is particularly true in view of the fact that TEDRA, to which

Tom specifically referred in both TEDRA agreements, permits an agreement to

be "deemed approved" on the filing with the court of the memorandum of the

agreement.69 In short, TEDRA contemplates that court review of all agreements

is not required.

       69SeeRCW11.96A.230(2).

                                             27
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/28

          Second, the Linger Beneficiaries correctly concede that it "is conceivable

that James' execution of the August TEDRA agreement was substantial

compliance with the notice provision to James." But they then argue that the

notice requirement was not met because "all interested parties" must also receive

notice.

          But the notice requirement in the March TEDRA agreement was imposed

solely by virtue of the March TEDRA agreement, and it only required notice to

James. It did not require notice to anyone else. It states that Tom must "timely

provide[ ] James with a summons for such hearing pursuant to RCW 11.96A.100

(and otherwise compl[y] with the substantive and procedural provisions of RCW

11.96A)." The Linger Beneficiaries fail to explain how the notice requirement of

the March TEDRA agreement requires notice to them. Thus, their argument is

not persuasive.

          Third, they argue that the third requirement in the March TEDRA

agreement was not substantially complied with because the court did not issue

an order before the amendments occurred. They also argue that "equivalent" to

a court order is not the same as "obtaining a court order." This argument makes

little sense in the context of this discussion about the application of the doctrine

of substantial compliance. But as we already discussed, there was substantial

compliance with the court order requirement by the filing of the memorandum of

the August TEDRA agreement.

          Fourth, the Linger Beneficiaries argue that substantial compliance requires

"near perfect compliance" and that the changes to the trust "substantially

                                              28
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/29

changed Tom's estate plan." But substantial compliance does not look to the

substantive changes resulting from the amendment. Rather, it focuses on the

procedures used to institute those changes.70 Thus, this argument is not

analytically relevant.

       Lastly, the Linger Beneficiaries make a number of arguments that the

August TEDRA agreement did not comply with the procedural and substantive

requirements of TEDRA. For the reasons that follow, we reject these arguments.

       These arguments involve interpretation of the TEDRA statute. When

interpreting a statute, we seek to determine and follow the legislature's intent.71

"If the statute's meaning is plain, we give effect to that plain meaning as the

expression of the legislature's intent."72

       First, the Linger Beneficiaries argue that the August TEDRA agreement

did not resolve a "matter" as defined by TEDRA. This is incorrect.

       RCW 11.96A.030(2) states:

                "Matter" includes any issue, question, or dispute involving:

                (c) The determination of any question arising in the
                administration of an estate or trust.. . that may include,
                without limitation, questions relating to: (i) The construction
                of wills, trusts . . . and other writings ....

       70
            See Williams, 96 Wash. 2d at 866.

       71 See Bostain v. Food Express. Inc.. 159 Wash. 2d 700, 708, 153 P.3d 846
(2007).

       72 \±

                                               29
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/30

       The plain words of this definition of "matter" make clear the broad scope of

this term. There simply is no persuasive argument here that the subject of the

TEDRA agreement did not fall within this definition.

       Even if we were required to go beyond the plain words that define the very

broad scope of this term, comments to the Senate Bill by the Washington State

Bar Association Real Property, Probate &Trust Section support this conclusion:

               The term "matter" establishes the issues, questions and
       disputes involving trusts and estates that can be resolved by
       judicial or nonjudicial action under the Act. This term is meant to
       apply broadly and is intended to encompass matters traditionally
       within the exclusive province of the courts. This is consistent with
       the overall purpose of the Act, which is to foster nonjudicial
       resolution of issues confronting estates and trusts.[73]

       Second, the Linger Beneficiaries argue that Tom did not give notice to or

obtain the signatures of "all parties" as required by TEDRA. Specifically, the

Linger Beneficiaries argue that they were entitled to notice under RCW

11.96A.110 and that their signatures were required to create a TEDRA

agreement under RCW 11.96A.220. They are again wrong.

       RCW 11.96A.110 provides that in judicial proceedings requiring notice, the

notice must be personally served on all parties or the parties' virtual

representatives.

      73 WSBA Real Property, Probate & Trust Section, Comments to the
Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act TEDRA § 104(1) (RCW 11.96A.030)
-Matterat 1, (1999), available at www.wsbarppt.com/comments/tedra99.pdf.

                                             30
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-1)731

       RCW 11.96A.220 through 11.96A.250 provide "a binding nonjudicial

procedure to resolve matters through written agreements among the parties

interested in the estate or trust."74

       Whether the Linger Beneficiaries were "parties" for purpose of the August

TEDRA agreement is the issue. We hold they were not.

       TEDRA defines a "party" as any member of a listed category who "has an

interest in the subject of the particular proceeding ... ."75 One of the listed

categories is "trust beneficiaries."76

       In In re Estate of Becker, the supreme court looked to the definition of

"party" in TEDRA and observed that was limited to one "'who has an interest in

the subject of the particular proceeding.'"77 There, the supreme court concluded

that a surviving spouse who received nothing under the decedent's will was a

person interested in the decedent's estate for purposes of TEDRA.78

       Here, the Linger Beneficiaries are contingent trust beneficiaries. This

appears to fall within the category of "trust beneficiaries." But in order to be a

"party," the Linger Beneficiaries must also "[have] an interest in the subject of

       74RCW11.96A.210.

       75 RCW 11.96A.030(5).

       76RCW11.96A.030(5)(e).

       77 In re Estate of Becker, 177 Wash. 2d 242, 247, 298 P.3d 720 (2013)
(quoting RCW 11.96A.030(5)).

       78 id

                                             31
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1 -l)/32

the particular proceeding."79 The statutory language indicates that the interest

must be a present interest. It further indicates that the interest is specific to the

"particular proceeding" at issue. The Linger Beneficiaries had no such interest at

the time of the August TEDRA agreement, which was prior to James's death and

Tom's death.

       In Pond v. Faust, the supreme court concluded that a court has no

authority to inquire into the validity of a will prior to the death of the maker, to

determine the competency of the maker.80 A Florida court cited Pond in

concluding that a guardian cannot contest the validity of a revocable trust during

the settlor's lifetime based on undue influence.81 This is because "a revocable

trust is a unique instrument which has no legal significance until the settlor's

death."82 This result arises from the same principle announced in Pond.

       Further, California courts have noted a difference in a beneficiary's

interest in revocable and irrevocable trusts.83 "With the creation of an irrevocable

trust, trust beneficiaries acquire a vested and present beneficial interest in the

trust property, and their interests are not subject to divestment as with a

       79RCW11.96A.030(5).

       80 90 Wash. 117, 120-21, 155 P. 776 (1916).

       81 Ullman v. Garcia. 645 So. 2d 168, 170 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1994).

       82 Jd

      83 See, e.g., Empire Props, v. County of Los Angeles, 44 Cal. App. 4th
781, 787, 52 Cal. Rptr. 2d 69 (Cal. Ct. App. 1996).

                                              32
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/33

revocable trust. Thus, the nature of a beneficiary's interest differs materially

depending on whether the trust is revocable or irrevocable."84

       Here, it is undisputed that the subject of the August TEDRA agreement

dealt with Tom's first amendment to trust and his first codicil. It is also

undisputed that the trust was revocable and that this transaction was conducted

while the trustor was still alive. Accordingly, the Linger Beneficiaries did not then

have a legally cognizable interest at the time of the August TEDRA agreement.

Moreover, because the subject of the proceeding was modification of the trust

and will, the Linger Beneficiaries fail to show that they had an interest in this

particular proceeding.

       For these reasons, they were not proper parties for purpose of this

agreement.

       Finally, we address two other specific concerns that the trial court

identified when it invalidated the first amendment to trust and the first codicil as a

matter of law. The court stated: (1) "If this court gives full effect to Tom's intent

as set forth in the March TEDRA agreement, then it cannot enforce that August

agreement entered in contravention of the terms of the prior agreement"; and (2)

"[T]he modifications to the trust and will were made prior to the entry of the

TEDRA agreement allegedly giving the authority to modify or revoke."85 Each of

these concerns will be addressed in turn.

       84 id at 787.

       85 Clerk's Papers at 814-15, 811.

                                              33
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/34

       First, as discussed earlier in this opinion, the August TEDRA agreement

stated that it "will satisfy" the March TEDRA agreement requirements. The plain

language of the August TEDRA agreement indicates that Tom recognized the

process set out in March and intended to comply with it, using a more efficient

method. This is not a contradictory intent.

       Second, the trial court concluded that the modifications to the trust and will

were invalid because they were made prior to the filing of the August TEDRA

agreement. In reaching this conclusion, the court noted that the memorandum of

the binding agreement was not filed with the court until February 2, 2010.86 The

trial court also noted that James did not sign the agreement until September 23,

2009.87 Neither reason supports the court's conclusion.

       RCW 11.96A.230(1) states that any party "may file the written agreement

or a memorandum summarizing the written agreement with the court . . . ." It

also states that "[f]ailure to complete any action authorized or required under this

subsection does not cause the written agreement to be ineffective and the

agreement is nonetheless binding and conclusive on all persons interested in the

estate or trust."88

       Accordingly, filing is permissive, not mandatory. But even if the

agreement was not filed until a later date, the plain language of TEDRA shows

that the filing date is irrelevant to the effectiveness of the agreement.

       86idat812.

       87 id

       88RCW11.96A.230(1).

                                              34
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/35

       Further, although James did not sign the agreement until September 23,

by its express terms, the August TEDRA agreement expressly states that it is

effective as of August 27, 2009. The August TEDRA agreement, the first

amendment to the trust, and first codicil were all effective on the same day—

August 27, 2009.

       In sum, the August TEDRA agreement substantially complied with the

modification process set out in the March TEDRA agreement. Further, it

complied with the relevant provisions of TEDRA.

       The Karp Beneficiaries argue in the alternative that the August TEDRA

agreement modified the terms of the March TEDRA agreement and that Tom

strictly complied with the modification requirements. Because we conclude that

the August TEDRA agreement between Tom and James substantially complied

with the provisions of the March TEDRA agreement, we need not address this

argument.

                               RIGHT TO APPEAL

      The Karp Beneficiaries, on behalf of themselves, the estate and the trust,

argue that the trial court erred when it concluded that the personal representative

and trustee cannot appeal a summary judgment ruling invalidating the first codicil

and first amendment to the trust. We agree.

      As a threshold issue, the Linger Beneficiaries argue that the Karp

Beneficiaries do not have standing to appeal this ruling because it was the trust

and estate that petitioned for instructions from the court. But this argument

ignores several facts.

                                            35
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/36

       First, the Karp Beneficiaries supported the petition for instructions by the

personal representative of the estate and the trustees of the trust. Thus, they are

aggrieved parties by virtue of the superior court's order vacating the

commissioner's ruling.89 Second, their briefing on appeal covers their arguments

and those of the personal representative and trustees, who also timely appealed

the orders before us.90 Thus, the standing argument carries no weight.

       For a ruling on a motion for revision, the superior court reviews the

commissioner's decisions de novo based on the evidence and issues before the

commissioner.91 On appeal, this court reviews the trial court's ruling, not the

commissioner's.92

       Generally, a personal representative has a right to appeal an adverse

decision in a will contest. The supreme court has stated, "Where a will is

contested, whether before or after its probate, it is the duty of the executor to

take all legitimate steps to uphold the testamentary instrument. .. ."93

       89 See State v. Taylor. 150 Wash. 2d 599, 603, 80 P.3d 605 (2003) (An
"aggrieved party" entitled to appeal is "one whose personal right or pecuniary
interests have been affected.").

       90 See RAP 10.1 (g) "In cases consolidated for the purpose of review and
in a case with more than one party to a side, a party may (1) join with one or
more other parties in a single brief, or (2) filed a separate brief and adopt by
reference any part of the brief of another."

       91 In re Marriage of Moody, 137 Wash. 2d 979, 992-93, 976 P.2d 1240
(1999).

       92 In re Marriage of Fairchild. 148 Wash. App. 828, 831, 207 P.3d 449
(2009).

       93 In re Klein's Estate, 28 Wash. 2d at 475.

                                             36
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/37

       Additionally, the supreme court has held, "A trustee, in his fiduciary or

representative capacity, is aggrieved by a judgment which threatens the

continuance of the trust in the form directed by the trustor, whether or not the

beneficiaries appeal. He is more than a mere stakeholder."94 Trustees "have

standing and indeed a duty to appeal to protect the integrity and fundamental

purpose of the trust."95 Further, "A trustee who is a party to an action in

representative capacity need not have a personal interest in the controversy to

have a right to appeal if it is his duty to appeal in order to protect the interest of

those whom he represents."96

       In re Ferrall's Estate, a case from the Supreme Court of California, is also

instructive.97 There, Faye F. Hamilton petitioned the probate court for an order

requiring the trustees to pay her certain sums.98 The probate court ordered the

trustees to pay from the income and corpus of the trust until further notice, and

the trustees appealed.99 On appeal, the supreme court considered whether the

trustee could appeal such an order.100

       94 Retail Store Emps. Union, Local 1001 Chartered By Retail Clerks Int'l
Ass'n. AFL-CIO v. Wash. Surveying & Rating Bureau. Wash. Bureau. 87 Wash. 2d
887, 893, 558 P.2d 215 (1976).

       95 id at 894.

       96 id

       97 33 Cal. 2d 202, 200 P.2d 1 (1948).

       98 Jd at 203.

       99 Jd at 204.

                                              37
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/38

       The court cited the general rule that "trustees acting in their representative

capacities cannot by an appeal litigate the conflicting claims of beneficiaries."101

But it stated that the rule "has generally been limited, however, to prohibiting

appeals by a trustee from orders merely determining which beneficiaries are

entitled to share in a particular fund."102 The court then stated:

       The trustee is permitted to appeal from an order of termination
       in order to give effect to trust purposes that can be served
       only by the continued administration of the trust. An appeal
       by a trustee may be necessary in order to determine whether
       the trial court properly ordered its termination. If such an
       appeal were not allowed, the trial court, when all beneficiaries
       consent, could completely disregard the provisions of the trust,
       even though there is no justification for a deviation from its terms.
       There is no substantial difference in this respect between an order
       that terminates a trust and an order that modifies it contrary to a
       specific provision. In either case the litigation does not involve
       merely the conflicting claims of beneficiaries to a particular
       fund, but concerns the performance of a duty by the trustees
       to protect the trust against an attack that goes to the very
       existence of the trust itselfSW3]

       Finally, the court concluded, 'To deny the trustees an appeal under these

circumstances would render them helpless to prevent invasions of the corpus

that might defeat the plan of the trustor or even destroy the trust itself."104

       Here, under Washington law, it is the duty of the personal representative

of Tom's will to take legitimate steps to uphold the testamentary instrument,

including the first codicil.

       101 id

       102 id

       103 id at 205-06.

       104 Id. at 206.

                                              38
No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/39

       Additionally, the motion for summary judgment was not litigation involving

conflicting claims of beneficiaries. Rather, the motion for summary judgment

sought to invalidate the first amendment to the trust as a matter of law.

Accordingly, the trustee had a similar duty—to protect the plan of the trustor and

protect the trust itself.

       In sum, both the personal representative and the trustee had a right to

appeal the order that declared the first amendment to the trust and the first

codicil null and void as a matter of law.

       The Karp Beneficiaries also rely on TEDRA for the proposition that the

personal representative and trustee have a right to appeal, but we need not rely

on this argument to conclude that they had this right.

       The Linger Beneficiaries argue that "if the Trust were permitted to appeal

the trial court's grant of summary judgment, it would place the Trustees in direct

conflict with the beneficiaries of the Trust." But, as discussed previously, the

trustee has a right to protect the plan of the trustor or defend the trust itself.

       The Linger Beneficiaries rely on In re Cannon's Estate to argue that

"where the dispute is about who has a right to receive, and there is no

impairment of the estate, the estate itself does not have a right to appeal."105 But

this is not a dispute about who has the right to receive. Rather, it is a dispute

about the validity of the first amendment to trust, a testamentary instrument. The

Linger Beneficiaries' argument is not persuasive.

       105 Respondent's Brief at 46 (citing In re Cannon's Estate. 18 Wash. 101,
50 P. 1021 (1897)).

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No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/40

                                  ATTORNEY FEES

       The Linger Beneficiaries request an award of attorney fees based on

RCW11.96A.150.

       RCW 11.96A. 150(1) states that "any court on an appeal may, in its

discretion, order costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, to be awarded to

any party: (a) From any party to the proceedings; (b) from the assets of the

estate or trust involved in the proceedings; or (c) from any nonprobate asset that

is the subject of the proceedings." Additionally, the court may consider any

factors it deems relevant and appropriate which may include "whether the

litigation benefits the estate or trust involved."106

       Here, the Linger Beneficiaries do not provide any persuasive reason for an

award in their favor. Accordingly, we deny this request.

                                      SUMMARY

       To summarize, neither the first amendment to the trust effective on August

27, 2009 nor the first codicil of even date is void as a matter of law for the

reasons before us. Tom substantially complied with the modification provisions

of the trust and the March TEDRA agreement. Moreover, Tom filed a

memorandum of the August TEDRA agreement, making the agreement one

deemed approved by the court and equivalent to a court order. This agreement

also complied with the relevant provisions of TEDRA.

       We do not address the capacity of Tom to either enter into the two TEDRA

agreements or make the testamentary instruments at issue in this case. Neither

       106 RCW 11.96A.150(1).

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No. 69608-4-1 (Consolidated with No. 69702-1-l)/41

his capacity nor whether he was subject to undue influence at any relevant time

is properly before us at this time. These and other issues are to be determined,

in the first instance, by the trial court on remand.

       We reverse the orders that are before us and remand for further

proceedings.

                                                        ^K,T.
WE CONCUR:

  tA-e«t^A

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