Washington couple leaves large estate to Uncle Sam

SEATTLE (AP) — While many complain about how much the government is taking out of their paychecks, one Seattle couple decided it hadn't been enough.

The Seattle Times reports that Peter and Joan Petrasek left their total accumulated wealth, of cash in the bank and sale of their West Seattle home, to the United States government. The couple had no next of kin.

A cashier's check for $847,215.57 was made out to the Department of Treasury.

Peter Petrasek died on May 5, 2015 at age 85. His wife Joan died 13 years earlier at age 79.

A spokesman for the Treasury says it doesn't specifically track how many people have willed their estates to the government, but it does happen. The money will go into the general fund.