WASHINGTON STATUTES AND CODES

11.12.091 - Omitted child.

Omitted child.

(1) If a will fails to name or provide for a child of the decedent who is born or adopted by the decedent after the will's execution and who survives the decedent, referred to in this section as an "omitted child," the child must receive a portion of the decedent's estate as provided in subsection (3) of this section, unless it appears either from the will or from other clear and convincing evidence that the failure was intentional.

     (2) In determining whether an omitted child has been named or provided for, the following rules apply:

     (a) A child identified in a will by name is considered named whether identified as a child or in any other manner.

     (b) A reference in a will to a class described as the children, descendants, or issue of the decedent who are born after the execution of the will, or words of similar import, constitutes a naming of a person who falls within the class. A reference to another class, such as a decedent's heirs or family, does not constitute such a naming.

     (c) A nominal interest in an estate does not constitute a provision for a child receiving the interest.

     (3) The omitted child must receive an amount equal in value to that which the child would have received under RCW 11.04.015 if the decedent had died intestate, unless the court determines on the basis of clear and convincing evidence that a smaller share, including no share at all, is more in keeping with the decedent's intent. In making the determination, the court may consider, among other things, the various elements of the decedent's dispositive scheme, provisions for the omitted child outside the decedent's will, provisions for the decedent's other children under the will and otherwise, and provisions for the omitted child's other parent under the will and otherwise.

     (4) In satisfying a share provided by this section, the bequests made by the will abate as provided in chapter 11.10 RCW.

[1994 c 221 § 9.]

Notes: Effective dates -- 1994 c 221: See note following RCW 11.94.070.