Court Opinion

ID: 4420992
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-07-29 20:01:54.952912+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:52:50.511721
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

CYNTHIA RUTTER, Personal                           )        No. 77851-0-I consolidated with
Representative of the Estate of Elaine             )        No. 77855-2-I
C. Reeves,                                         )
                                                   )
                          Respondent,              )        DIVISION ONE

                         v.

BRIAN REEVES,                                      )        UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                         Appellant.                )        FILED: July 29, 2019

        MANN, A.C.J.     —    In an attempt to discharge her duties as the personal

representative of the estate of Elaine C. Reeves, Elaine’s daughter, Cynthia Rutter, filed

an action for quiet title and ejectment against her brother, Brian Reeves, seeking his

removal from a Kirkland residence owned by the estate.1 Brian appeals the trial court’s

order denying his attempt to vacate a default judgment entered after he failed to

respond to service by mail of the summons and complaint.2 We affirm.

        1  The parties will be referred to by their first name to avoid confusion, no disrespect is intended.
        2  Brian makes several assignments of error that are not argued in his brief. These include: (1)
that California law should have been applied instead of Washington law, (2) that Brian had a colorable
claim of title to the Kirkland property, since it was gifted to him through the trust, and should have
prevented Cynthia from evicting him, and (3) that it was improper for Cynthia to sell Brian’s personal
property and vehicles after eviction. We decline to address assignments of error that are not supported
by any argument in the brief. State v. James, 36 Wash. 2d 882, 891, 221 P.2d 482 (1950). Moreover,
Brian’s arguments concerning the handling of probate or the trust distribution are not properly before us.
No. 77851-0-1/2

        Elaine died on December 5, 2013. Hours prior to her death, Elaine executed the

Elaine C. Reeves Trust (trust) and a “pour over” will leaving to the trust all of her

probate assets not already transferred to the trust. Elaine made Cynthia the personal

representative and executor of her will and trustee of the trust. The trust provided that,

upon the death of Elaine, the trustee was directed to make four specific distributions

from the trust property: $100,000 each to her two grandchildren, a timeshare in Maui to

Cynthia, and a property in Kirkland to Brian. Brian was living at the Kirkland property

when Elaine died.

        Elaine believed that the gifts to her grandchildren would be funded from her

Boeing VIP savings account, valued at $537,074.22 as of her death. The Boeing VIP

savings account, however, was a payable on death account, governed by ERISA, which

listed Cynthia and Brian as the beneficiaries. Cynthia and Brian each received a little

more than $250,000 from the Boeing VIP savings account.

        Since the Boeing VIP savings account could not be transferred to the trust, the

trust could not pay the estate’s expenses and satisfy the monetary gifts to Elaine’s

grandchildren. To avoid selling the Kirkland property, Cynthia tried to reach a mutual

agreement with Brian where she and Brian would pay, from their portions of the Boeing

VIP savings account, the gifts to the grandchildren and their portions of the estate

The only issue properly before us is the issuance of the default judgment on the estate’s complaint to
quiet title and for ejectment.
                                                 -2-
No. 77851-0-1/3

expenses.3 Cynthia also tried to reach an agreement with Brian where he would pay

the bills associated with the Kirkland property.

        After attempting communications with Brian for two years, Cynthia’s attorney sent

a letter to Brian on July 13, 2015, explaining how he could receive the Kirkland property

free and clear:

                If you and the other trust beneficiaries can reach an agreement to
        use a portion of the VIP assets to augment the trust, it is entirely possible
        that the trust distributions could be made, including distributing the house
        to you. If you wish to explore such an agreement, please contact me, or
        have your attorney do so. If I do not receive a response within seven days
        of your receipt of this letter, I must assume that you do not wish to discuss
        such an agreement.
                Unless the beneficiaries reach such an agreement, the trust simply
        does not have sufficient assets to make the distributions. The Trustee will
        have no choice but to sell the house, and to use the proceeds of the sale
        to pay off the mortgage on the property and then make partial distributions
        to the trust beneficiaries as directed under Washington state law in such
        situations.
The letter also contained a proposed lease agreement, where Brian would pay $2,000 a.

month to the estate for expenses related to the Kirkland property. The letter was sent

certified mail to Brian at the Kirkland property but was returned to sender for being

unclaimed.

        The Kirkland property was encumbered by a mortgage of $48,443.69. Cynthia

paid off the mortgage with her own funds and the bank reconveyed the Kirkland

property to the estate. On September 6, 2016, Cynthia’s attorney sent another letter to

Brian. This letter was sent certified mail to Brian at the Kirkland property but was

returned to sender as undeliverable.

       ~ Cynthia paid all expenses related to the Kirkland property and a credit card in Elaine’s name
that Brian used for his personal expenses. Cynthia expected Brian to repay her for these expenses.
                                                -3-
No. 77851-0-1/4

      As personal representative, Cynthia incurred $78,509.80 in personal expenses

related to the Kirkland property, including payments on the loan, property taxes,

property insurance, utilities, and homeowner association dues. Cynthia also paid other

expenses relating to the estate, totaling $78,486.67— $22,022.52 of which was a credit

card in Elaine’s name that Brian used for his personal expenses.

      On November 9, 2016, Cynthia posted a three-day notice for Brian to surrender

the premises at the Kirkland property. On November 22, 2016, Cynthia filed a

complaint for quiet title and ejectment. Cynthia hired a process server to personally

serve Brian. The process server made four unsuccessful attempts at the Kirkland

property. On November 23 at 4:04 p.m., the process server noted “No answer, dog

barking inside.” On November 28 at 5:12 p.m., the process server noted “No answer,

dog barking inside.” On November29 at 5:13 p.m., the process server noted “Same as

previous attempt.” On November30 at 2:10 p.m., the process server noted

      No answer, dark. Dog inside. All windows totally obscured. Per neighbor
      to the right, he comes out rarely during the day and usually leaves at eight
      or nine or 10 o’clock at night and returns in the middle of the night. Per
      neighbors, he drives a black Jeep. There was a black Jeep parked on the
      street with license number AMF3882. Neighbors believe he may be
      armed.
      Cynthia provided the process server with Brian’s last known place of

employment, the Horseshoe Saloon. The process server called the Horseshoe Saloon

on December 2 at 5:15 p.m. and spoke with Jim, the owner. Jim said that Brian no

longer worked there. On the same day, another service processor went to the

Horseshoe Saloon and noted “No sign of defendant or his vehicles. Interacted with Jim,

                                         -4-
No. 77851-0-1/5

AJ, Austin, and Michelle. None of the regulars mentioned Brian Reeves (aka Baron).

The undersigned was on-site from 4:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.”

       On December 8, 2016, a superior court commissioner granted Cynthia’s motion

for an order allowing service by mail. The summons and complaint were then mailed to

Brian at the Kirkland residence and his last known place of employment, allowing 90

days to respond. Brian did not respond. On March 23, 2017, a superior court

commissioner entered a default judgment quieting title and directing issuance of a writ

of execution for the Kirkland property. Cynthia posted a bond, allowing the sheriff to

break and enter under the writ of execution. On May 16, 2017, the sheriff executed the

writ and found that Brian had vacated the property.

       Brian’s attorney filed a notice of appearance on May 17, 2017. On September

29, 2017, Brian answered the complaint and moved to vacate the default judgment.

      On October 17, 2017, a superior court commissioner denied Brian’s motion to

vacate the default judgment. Brian’s motion for revision of the commissioner’s order

was then denied by the superior court. Brian appeals.

      Brian does not contest that he received service of the summons and complaint

by mail. Instead he contends the default judgment was void because the order

authorizing service by mail was improper. We disagree.

      A motion for revision of a commissioner’s ruling is reviewed de novo by the

superior court. State v. Ramer, 151 Wash. 2d 106, 113, 86 P.3d 132 (2004). Under RCW

2.24.050, the findings and orders of a court commissioner not successfully revised

                                         -5-
No. 77851-0-1/6

become the orders and findings of the superior court, On appeal, we review only the

superior court’s decision. Ramer, 151 Wash. 2d at 113.

       Brian challenges the superior court’s denial of his motion for revision based on

CR 60(b)(5), contending that the default judgment was void for inadequate service. We

review CR60 challenges to default judgments for lack of jurisdiction de novo. Dobbins

v. Mendoza, 88 Wash. App. 862, 871, 947 P.2d 1229 (1997). “A default judgment entered

without personal jurisdiction is void.” Ha v. Signal Elec. Inc., 182 Wash. App. 436, 447,

332 P.3d 991 (2014). “Proper service of the summons and complaint is essential to

invoke personal jurisdiction.” Scanlan v. Townsend, 181 Wash. 2d 838, 847, 336 P.3d
1155 (2014).

       RCW4.28.100 authorizes service by publication, including service by mail.

Jones v. Stebbins, 122 Wash. 2d 471, 479, 860 P.2d 1009 (1993). When a defendant is

avoiding service of process the plaintiff may file an affidavit for approval of service by

mail. RCW4.28.100 states in relevant part:

       Service of summons by publication—When authorized. When the
       defendant cannot be found within the state, and upon the filing of an
       affidavit of the plaintiff, his or her agent, or attorney, with the clerk of the
       court, stating that he or she believes that the defendant. cannot be
                                                                       .   .

       found therein, and that he or she has deposited a copy of the summons
         and complaint in the post office, directed to the defendant at his or her
       place of residence. the service may be made by publication of the
                             .   .

       summons, by the plaintiff of his or her attorney in any of the following
       cases:

      (2) When the defendant, being a resident of this state, has departed
      therefrom with intent to defraud his or her creditors, or to avoid the service
      of a summons, or keegs himself or herself concealed therein with like
      intent.~4~

      ~ (Emphasis added.)

                                            -6-
No. 77851-0-1/7

        Service by publication is “in derogation of the common law,” thus a party must

strictly comply with the statute authorizing service by publication. Rodriguez v. James-

Jackson, 127 Wash. App. 139, 143,111 P.3d271 (2005). Thespecificrequirementsof

RCW 4.28.100 must be met. Lepesky v. Farley, 67 Wash. App. 548, 553, 833 P.2d 437

(1992). A declaration filed in support of a motion to serve by mail “that omits the

essential statutory elements is as good as no affidavit at all.” ki. at 553-554 (quoting

Kent v. Lee, 52 Wash. App. 576, 579, 762 P.2d 24 (1988)). The plaintiff’s declaration

“must clearly articulate facts to meet the required conditions, not clearly prove intent to

avoid service.”5 Boes v. Bisiar, 122 Wash. App. 569, 577, 94 P.3d 975 (2004). When a

defendant challenges the sufficiency of service, we consider both the original

declaration and any declarations submitted after the challenge to service by publication.

Boes, 122 Wash. App. at 574. Here, the facts stated in the declarations must demonstrate

that Brian is a Washington resident, was concealing himself for the purposes of avoiding

service, and that Cynthia made reasonably diligent efforts to locate Brian. Jones, 122
Wash. 2d at 482.

      There is ample evidence in the declarations of Cynthia’s attorney, Hans JuhI, the

process servers, Cynthia, and Richard Reeves, Brian and Cynthia’s father to support

service by mail. For example, Brian knew that Cynthia wanted him to vacate the house.

Cynthia and her attorneys sent several letters to Brian outlining a plan to execute

Elaine’s will and transfer to him the Kirkland property. Brian did not respond to any of

these letters. Richard found at least nine unopened letters from Cynthia to Brian at the

      ~ (Emphasis added.)
                                          -7-
No. 77851-0-1/8

Kirkland property. On November 9, 2016, Cynthia posted a three-day notice to vacate.

On November 11, 2016, Richard received a text message from Brian stating

       Happy Veteran’s Day Dad and thank you for your service! Please let my
       sister know that I will not be vacating the home that my Mother wanted me
       to have & that she may proceed with all the legal action against me that
       she likes. .  I am able to reciprocate. Thanks again.
                      .

Brian also disabled the doorbell making it difficult for people to contact him.

       Cynthia hired a process server who attempted to serve Brian at the Kirkland

property on November 23, 2016 at 4:04 p.m., November 28, 2016 at 5:12 p.m.,

November 29, 2016 at 5:13 p.m., November 30, 2016 at 2:10 p.m., and at his last

known employer, the Horseshoe Saloon in Woodinville on December 2, 2016. All

attempts were unsuccessful. During the November 30th attempt, the service processor

noted “No answer, dark. Dog inside. All windows totally obscured. Per neighbor to the

right, he comes out rarely during the day and usually leaves at eight or nine or 10

o’clock at night and returns in the middle of the night.” Brian does not dispute that he

was living at the Kirkland property during that period.

       The declarations demonstrate that Brian was concealing himself to avoid service

and that Cynthia made reasonably diligent efforts to locate him. Thus, the requirements

under RCW4.28.100(2) for service by mail were satisfied. Because Richard does not

argue that he was not served by mail, there is no basis to vacate the default judgment.

                                             Ill.

       The estate prevails on appeal and requests an award of attorney fees.

We may grant an award of reasonable attorney fees on appeal, so long as applicable

law provides for such an award. RAP 18.1. Trial and appellate courts have broad

                                          -8-
No. 77851-0-1/9

discretion to award attorney fees to the prevailing party in litigation involving trusts and

estates. RCW 11.96A.150; In re Estate of Love, 191 Wash. App. 216, 239, 361 P.3d 789

(2015). “RCW 11.96A.150 grants broad discretion to courts to award attorney fees ‘in

such manner as the court determines to be equitable’ in all ‘all proceedings governed by

this title,’ i.e. under Title 11 RCW. The authority granted by RCW 1l.96A.150 to award

attorney fees is not limited to actions initiated under chapter 11 .96A RCW.” In re Estate

of Berry, 189 Wash. App. 368, 379, 358 P.3d 426 (2015).

       We award attorney fees to the estate, to be paid by Brian. The estate is the

prevailing party. RCW 11 .48.020 grants the personal representative the “right to the

immediate possession of all the real as well as personal estate of the deceased.” After

repeated efforts to work with Brian, Cynthia—acting as the personal representative of

the estate—brought this action to discharge her duties as personal representative to

take possession of the estate property in order to carry out Elaine’s intent. Brian does

not contest that he was served the summons and complaint by mail and failed to

respond resulting in a default judgment and~his ejection from the property. The costs of

Brian’s challenge to the order authorizing service by mail should not equitably be borne

by the estate. We award reasonable attorney fees to the estate upon compliance with

RAP 18.1.

                                          -9-
No. 77851-0-1/10

      We affirm.

                          141.4

WE CONCUR:

                   -10-