April 2025 — Northwest Justice Project’s Foreclosure Prevention Unit (FPU) was instrumental in uncovering a massive scheme targeting deceased homeowners’ properties. The FPU discovered the scheme in the course of assisting homeowners with foreclosures on homes they had inherited.
In one shocking case, an heir discovered a deceased relative’s home completely emptied. In another, the perpetrators were caught at the home in the act of tossing belongings into garbage bags.
The FPU researched numerous probates (situations in which the deceased did not leave a will). They examined county auditor records to trace property transfers and investigated corporate entities and the revoked licenses of the primary perpetrator.
NJP ultimately presented its findings to the office of the Washington State Attorney General, which launched its own investigation. They identified seven individuals who allegedly manipulated the probate system to gain control of more than 200 estates of deceased individuals, selling at least 90 homes worth over $28 million – with large amounts of money now missing. Some of these homes belong to NJP clients.
NJP’s comprehensive approach to supporting our clients included not only saving the homes of the rightful heirs but also addressing their broader needs to achieve financial stability so that they could afford to remain in their homes after resolving their foreclosures.
The Attorney General’s office filed suit against the alleged perpetrators in February 2025.
The court has since frozen dozens of their bank accounts. The ongoing lawsuit seeks penalties for Consumer Protection Act violations, full restitution for affected heirs, and permanent injunctions against future illegal activities.