[WSBAPT] Denied Order Opening Probate because of Non-Redacted SSN

[Brent Williams-Ruth]

To be clear - if I were FILING the Death Certificate with the Court to stay
as part of the docket, I would absolutely redact.

Out of nearly 300 probates, I have never filed nor have I ever redacted any
information. It is presented to the Court to verify that they have passed
but is not made part of the record.

*Brent Williams-Ruth* (pronouns: he/him)
*Attorney-At-Law*

*Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth, **a division of BWR Consulting, PLLC*

*Physical Address: 500 S 336th Street, Suite 214; Federal Way, WA 98003*

*Mailing Address: **PO BOX 3319; Federal Way, WA 98063 *

Office/Scheduling Phone: (253) 285-7751

For All Meetings & Scheduling: info at williams-ruthlaw.com

e-mail <Brent at Williams-RuthLaw.com> / website
<http://www.williams-ruthlaw.com/> / facebook
<http://www.facebook.com/bwrlaw> /


On Wed, Sep 17, 2025 at 5:02 PM Mike Jacobs <mikej at riachgese.com> wrote:

> We always redact the SSN and mother’s maiden name and file the DC
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Michael P. Jacobs
>
> Riach Gese Jacobs, PLLC
>
> 7331 196th St. SW | PO Box 1067 | Lynnwood, WA 98036
>
> Phone: (425) 776-3191 | Fax: (425) 425-775-0406
>
>
>
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> *From:* wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <
> wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> *On Behalf Of *Sandra Perkins
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 17, 2025 4:53 PM
> *To:* WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [WSBAPT] Denied Order Opening Probate because of
> Non-Redacted SSN
>
>
>
> Wow—I have done exactly what Brent does (upload and not file the death
> certificate, without redacting the SSN).  I have not encountered this
> response.
>
>
>
> Sandra Perkins
>
>
>
> *From:* wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <
> wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> *On Behalf Of *Brent Williams-Ruth
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 17, 2025 4:44 PM
> *To:* WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <WSBAPT at lists.wsbarppt.com>
> *Subject:* [WSBAPT] Denied Order Opening Probate because of Non-Redacted
> SSN
>
>
>
> I just had Judge Scott in King County deny an order opening probate
> because I didn't comply with GR 31 and because I did not redact the SSN
> from the death certificate.
>
>
>
> First off - question - does anyone redact the SSN before presenting to
> open for probate? In the 10 years I have been doing this now, I have never
> redacted the SSN. Before COVID, I opened cases in person and would just
> hand up a death certificate.  Then came covid and I would upload BUT NOT
> FILE;  then came the new KC Script portal and they have the "additional
> document" tab where again, I would upload but not file.
>
>
>
> GR 31(e)(1) states that you have to redact any personally identifiable
> information from documents being FILED with the Court.
>
>
>
> Just curious what others do and if you have encountered this before.
>
>
>
> Brent
>
>
> *Brent Williams-Ruth* (pronouns: he/him)
> *Attorney-At-Law*
>
> *Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth, **a division of BWR Consulting, PLLC*
>
> *Physical Address: 500 S 336th Street, Suite 214; Federal Way, WA 98003*
>
> *Mailing Address:** PO BOX 3319; Federal Way, WA 98063 *
>
> Office/Scheduling Phone: (253) 285-7751
>
> For All Meetings & Scheduling: info at williams-ruthlaw.com
>
> e-mail <Brent at Williams-RuthLaw.com> / website
> <http://www.williams-ruthlaw.com/> / facebook
> <http://www.facebook.com/bwrlaw> /
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