[WSBAPT] Original Wills among decedent's client files

[Dalynne Singleton]

I'd love to know the answer as I have Attorney Susan Sampson's original Wills from her safe when she retired several years ago and I have no idea the addresses of these people, only names.
I have put them in my closed files on a box that says DO NOT DESTROY.  My practice in estate planning is that I NEVER keep original Wills, only copies for clients now.
The WSBA didn't really have an answer for me at that time.

Dalynne Singleton
Gourley Law Group
Snohomish Escrow
The Exchange Connection
1002 10th Street / PO Box 1091
Snohomish, WA 98291
360.568.5065
360.568.8092  fax
dalynne at glgmail.com<mailto:dalynne at glgmail.com>
Website:  www.glglawgroup.com

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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Kate Szurek
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2020 3:29 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Original Wills among decedent's client files

We are handling the probate of a deceased attorney.  Among the files and records of his law firm were five original Wills, all dated in the early 80s.  Although the Wills were given to us, they were not accompanied by any client files, as the firm went under receivership and was eventually purchased by decedent's associates.

My question is what responsibility does the PR have relative to these original Wills.  All suspect that most, if not all, are Wills of decedent's relatives and friends (all of whom will know he is deceased), as his practice focused on condo law.  We have no information readily available to us regarding the address or location of any of the testators/testatrices.

I will also check with WSBA - so just coming to the listserv to see what experience anyone might have had with this kind of situation.

Thanking you in advance for any insights!

Kate

Kate Szurek, J.D., LL.M. (in Taxation)
kate at skagitlaw.com<mailto:kate at skagitlaw.com>

[SkagitLaw_Signature (2)]
Skagit Law Group, PLLC
P.O. Box 336 / 227 Freeway Drive, Suite B
Mount Vernon, WA  98273
360.336.1000
360.336.6690 (fax)
http://www.skagitlaw.com<http://www.skagitlaw.com/>


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