State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

Question

May a superior court judge serve as the uncompensated executor of an out-of-state estate for close and long time friends and as the uncompensated trustee for an out-of-state trust for their college age grandson, who is also a close long time friend of the judge?

Answer

It is not proper under CJC Canon 5(D) for a superior court judge to serve as the uncompensated executor of an out-of-state estate for close and long time friends and as the uncompensated trustee for an out-of-state trust for their college age grandson, who is also a close, long time friend of the judge, as Canon 5(D) limits a judge’s ability to act as a fiduciary to members of the family only and then only if such will not interfere with the proper performance of the judicial duties.

Opinion 87-07

10/23/1987