In re the Estate of Blessing

¶1 The estate of Audrey Blessing appeals the trial court’s ruling that the children of Audrey’s1 deceased second husband were her “stepchildren” within the meaning of RCW 4.20.020 and entitled to participate in a wrongful death action brought by the estate. Audrey had survived her third husband and was unmarried at her death. Because the stepparent/stepchild relationship had legally ended before Audrey’s death, the trial court erred. Accordingly, we reverse.

Brown, J.

FACTS

¶2 Audrey was first married to Alvin Hendricks from 1949 until 1964, when they divorced. While married, the *849couple had…