[WSBAPT] Denied Order Opening Probate because of Non-Redacted SSN
Wendy Allard
wallard at prklaw.com
Thu Sep 18 08:28:12 PDT 2025
For years, I have submitted a declaration that I have a copy of the death certificate and have not had an issue (knock on wood).
Wendy
Wendy L. Allard | PRK Livengood
Partner
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Peterson Russell Kelly Livengood PLLC
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Bellevue, WA 98004
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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 6:22 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Denied Order Opening Probate because of Non-Redacted SSN
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<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> /
On Wed, Sep 17, 2025 at 5:42 PM Sandra Perkins <sandra at slplaw.net<mailto: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<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto: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<mailto: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
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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> /
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