Back in 2020, I spoke with the Clerk’s office about uploading (and not e-filing) the death certificate. They specifically told me NOT to redact anything from the death certificate. It is not e-filed, so it is not public. It is just for the Court Commissioner to review as part of the Ex Parte submission.
Obviously, Brent is being told something different now. Is this a new rule, or just a quirk of Judge Scott’s?
Sandra Perkins
From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Carl Gay
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 5:04 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <WSBAPT at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Denied Order Opening Probate because of Non-Redacted SSN
For a very long time, I have always redacted the decedent’s Social Security number and mother’s maiden name.
Why invite identity theft?
CARL LLOYD GAY
Non nobis solum nati sumus
“Not unto ourselves alone are we born”
~the motto of Willamette University~
Law Offices
GREENAWAY & GAY
Attorneys and Counselors at Law
(Established 1985)
734 East First Street Suite A
Port Angeles, Washington 98362
Email carl at greenawaylawfirm.com<mailto:carl at greenawaylawfirm.com>
Telephone (360) 452-3323
Facsimile (360) 452-3724
THIS EMAIL TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY TO WHOM IT IS ADDRESSED, AND MAY CONTAIN PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION THAT IS COVERED BY THE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS PRIVACY ACT (18 USC §§ 2510-2521). IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT OR AGENT RESPONSIBLE TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY DISSEMINATION, DISTRIBUTION, OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS COMMUNICATION IN ERROR; PLEASE NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY BY TELEPHONE AND/OR EMAIL AND DELETE THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE. THANK YOU
From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto:info at williams-ruthlaw.com>
e-mail<mailto:Brent at Williams-RuthLaw.com> / website<http://www.williams-ruthlaw.com/> / facebook<http://www.facebook.com/bwrlaw> /
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/wsbapt/attachments/20250918/d5496d4d/attachment.html>