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

Wed Sep 17 18:22:28 PDT 2025

considering that I have opened 15 probates since July 1st and this is the
only one to be denied.....I believe this is Judge Scott.

I was reminded about a prior post from a long time back about an attorney
who submits a declaration regarding their review of the death certificate.
I may make up a standard declaration and do the same thing to avoid this as
it is just ridiculous.

*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 5:42 PM Sandra Perkins <sandra at slplaw.net> wrote:

> 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
>
> Telephone                (360) 452-3323
>
> Facsimile                  (360) 452-3724
>
>
>
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> *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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