[WSBAPT] Witness Attestations and Self-Proving Affidavits

Fri Mar 6 11:17:23 PST 2026

We also have witnesses sign the Will and a separate self-proving witness declaration.  During Covid we switched from a notarized affidavit to the declaration format.

Amy Lewis, Attorney
Pronouns she/her/hers
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909 A Street, Suite 600 | Tacoma, WA 98402
phone 253.572.4500 | fax 253.272.5732 | www.eisenhowerlaw.com<http://www.eisenhowerlaw.com/>
From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Kokie Adams
Sent: Friday, March 6, 2026 11:14 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Witness Attestations and Self-Proving Affidavits

I agree with Inge – my practice is also the belt and suspenders approach.

Best regards,

Kokie Adams
(pronouns she/her/hers)

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7127 - 196th Street S.W.
Suite 201
Lynnwood, WA  98036
425.774.0444 (phone)
kokie at adamslawgroupnw.com<mailto:kokie at adamslawgroupnw.com>

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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 Inge Fordham
Sent: Friday, March 6, 2026 11:00 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Witness Attestations and Self-Proving Affidavits

I ask the witnesses to sign below the testator/trix’s signature and also have them sign the affidavit.  A notary notarize the witnesses’ signatures.  Belt and suspenders.

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Inge A. Fordham | Attorney
Fordham Law, PLLC
3218 Sixth Avenue | Tacoma, WA 98406
Office: (253) 348-2657 | Fax: (253) 276-0280
www.fordhamlegal.com<http://www.fordhamlegal.com>

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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 Kaitlin Miller <Kaitlin at jmg-law.com<mailto:Kaitlin at jmg-law.com>>
Date: Friday, March 6, 2026 at 10:44 AM
To: wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Witness Attestations and Self-Proving Affidavits

Good morning:

Quick practice question under RCW 11.12.020:

When using a compliant self-proving affidavit, do you also include a separate witness attestation clause and witness signature lines in the will itself, or do you have the witnesses sign only the self-proving affidavit?

In other words, is the common practice to (1) have witnesses sign both the will and the self-proving affidavit, or (2) rely solely on the self-proving affidavit permitted by RCW 11.12.020?

I am more frequently seeing Last Wills which only have a self-proving affidavit and I am curious what others are doing in practice and whether anyone has encountered probate issues using affidavit-only witness signatures.
Thank you.

Kaitlin Miller
Associate Attorney
Law Office of Jeffrey M. Grieff, P.S.
1200 5th Avenue, Suite 1950
Seattle, WA 98101
www.jmg-law.com<http://www.jmg-law.com>
(206) 467-6969 Telephone
(206) 467-6738 Facsimile

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