[WSBAPT] Hand written Will with two witnesses, a notary seal but no jurat or witness declaration

[Joshua McKarcher]

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.12.020 is all you need. If the two witnesses were in his presence, you've got a "will" as defined by Washington law. (The notary seal is irrelevant, like a brush mark of paint or a smiley face or a smudge of chocolate.)

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Jeff at bellanddavispllc.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 10:39 AM
To: 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv' <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Hand written Will with two witnesses, a notary seal but no jurat or witness declaration

Listmates:

Decedent wrote his own Will.  Two disinterested witnesses signed it, but with no declarations what so ever.  There is a notary seal but no jurat; the notary did not sign any where on the document.  I think the Will is no good.  However, its so new the notary and witnesses can probably be found.  If the witnesses sign new declarations, as if it was a lost Will, and the notary property signs a jurat, would that save this thing?

Jeff Davis

W. Jeff Davis
BELL & DAVIS PLLC
Attorneys at Law
P.O. Box 510
720 E. Washington Street, Suite 105
Sequim WA 98382
Phone: (360) 683.1129
Fax: (360) 683.1258
email: jeff at bellanddavispllc.com<mailto:jeff at bellanddavispllc.com>
www.bellanddavispllc.com<http://www.bellanddavispllc.com/>

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