Matter of Estate of Burmeister

Petitioners Leanne Griffith, Heidi L. Payseno, Tamara J. Benz, and Kim D. Pratt, daughters of the deceased, Kenneth L. Burmeister, seek review of the Court of Appeals decision revoking Burmeister’s will as to his surviving spouse, Respondent Jeanne Mliner Bur meister. They assert the court erred in construing RCW 11.12.050 to provide for the revocation of an antenuptial will as to the surviving spouse unless the "provision” made for that spouse in a marriage settlement is beneficial. We agree and reverse.

Kenneth L. Burmeister and Janet Ann Burmeister executed reciprocal wills in 1977. The…