[WSBAPT] attorneys are officers of the court--therefore essential

[Thomas Fiscus]

Hi Susan -
I have been conducting Will signings on my porch in very much the manner you outlined.  Given the enhanced risk to those 60 and above, I have taken the same position as you, that as officers of the Court, we are essential workers and the need to provide these particular services to clients is critical.
Good luckTom
Law Office of Thomas J. Fiscus
Box 1167Eastsound, WA 98245Ph 360-376-3988
WSBA # 44741
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    On Friday, March 27, 2020, 12:10:43 PM PDT, Susan Donahue <sdonahue at sdonahuelaw.com> wrote:  
 
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Hello everyone,

  

I have someone who wants to execute his will.  So, I’m faced with the actual situation now.  On page 10 of the list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers’ issued by Governor Inslee on March 23, 2020, “The Courts, consistent with direction from the Washington State Chief Justice” are listed as part of the “essential workforce”.  As an attorney, I am an officer of the court, therefore, I argue, I can conduct a will signing if the participants always stay 6’ away from one another by approaching a table outside on my office’s porch one at a time to sign, with the table wiped down and the pen wiped down, etc.

  

Has anyone figured out a way to conduct will signings under these conditions?  Is my argument too novel?  If I did this, could I be in violation of the governor’s order?

  

I know this has been discussed but in previous threads the issue of notarizing was the issue—not the issue of witnessing a will.

  

Any thoughts would be helpful.

  

Thank you.

  

  

  

Susan Donahue

Law Office of Susan Donahue

125 West 2nd Avenue, Suite “B”

P.O. Box 81

Twisp, WA 98856

(509) 996-5944 (phone)

(509) 362-9692 (fax)

sdonahue at sdonahuelaw.com

www.sdonahuelaw.com

  
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