[WSBAPT] Notarized Will required to admit to probate vs valid > Will

Fri Oct 2 12:54:21 PDT 2026

I also use the sworn statement approach for the same logistical reasons as
others have mentioned. I used to scramble to have two witnesses and a
notary before covid. Then, it seemed more important for folks to have fewer
people in the room and for clients to be able to facilitate at home more
easily if needed. Around the same time, the bar association did a training
on signings during covid and recommended the sworn statement approach. That
was the nudge I needed to stop hassling with the extra person.

*Laura LattaLaw Office of Laura Latta PLLC*

she/her

Phone (206) 841-2344

www.LauraLatta.com

4010 Lake Washington Blvd. NE Ste. 202

Kirkland, WA 98033

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On Fri, Oct 2, 2026 at 11:54 AM Sara Longley <sara.longley at ivylawpllc.com>
wrote:

> I include space for the witness’ printed names and addresses, just in
> case.  I hate seeing a will with only illegible witness signatures and
> nothing more.
>
>
>
> Sara D. Longley, Attorney
>
> Ivy Law PLLC
>
> 1417 NW 54
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1417+NW+54?entry=gmail&source=g>th
> St., Ste. 313
>
> Seattle, WA 98107
>
> (206) 925-2727
>
> Sara.Longley at IvyLawPLLC.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
> <https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/bookwithme/user/9e9bb9a083c94197aafe4f8853f351ce@ivylawpllc.com?anonymous&ismsaljsauthenabled&ep=bwmEmailSignature>
>
> Book time to meet with me
> <https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/bookwithme/user/9e9bb9a083c94197aafe4f8853f351ce@ivylawpllc.com?anonymous&ismsaljsauthenabled&ep=bwmEmailSignature>
>
>
>
> *From:* wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <
> wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> *On Behalf Of *Mark McClure
> *Sent:* Friday, October 2, 2026 11:52 AM
> *To:* WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [WSBAPT] Notarized Will required to admit to probate vs
> valid > Will
>
>
>
> Makes sense.  Thanks for the input.  I have always been a little sketched
> out by signature only wills without being able to verify that the witnesses
> ever really existed..
>
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1103+West+Meeker+Street,+%23101+%0D%0AKent,+WA+98032+%0D%0A+Office:+253?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
>
>
> *Mark C. McClure* *| *
> *Managing Attorney  *Law Office of Mark McClure, PS
>
> *"Why Retire With Debt?" *1103 West Meeker Street, #101
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1103+West+Meeker+Street,+%23101+%0D%0AKent,+WA+98032+%0D%0A+Office:+253?entry=gmail&source=g>
> Kent, WA 98032
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1103+West+Meeker+Street,+%23101+%0D%0AKent,+WA+98032+%0D%0A+Office:+253?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Office:
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1103+West+Meeker+Street,+%23101+%0D%0AKent,+WA+98032+%0D%0A+Office:+253?entry=gmail&source=g>
> 253.631.6484 <(253)%20631-6484> (Leave Msg - Will be returned within 24
> hours)
> Email: Mark at McClureLawGroup.com
> Web: www.McClureLawGroup.com <http://www.mcclurelawgroup.com/>
>
> *Notice of Unavailability:*  *TBD*
>
> ***NOTE** All visits must be scheduled in advance for access to the
> building.  Call *253-631-6484 <(253)%20631-6484> * to schedule.*
>
> *CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:* This email contains legal stuff. If you are not
> the intended recipient you could get into a lot of trouble if you read it,
> and even more trouble if you tell someone else about it. So, the best thing
> to do is ignore it and forget you ever saw it. Thank you.
>
>
>
> *From:* wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <
> wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> *On Behalf Of *Ann Manley
> *Sent:* Friday, October 2, 2026 10:45 AM
> *To:* WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [WSBAPT] Notarized Will required to admit to probate vs
> valid > Will
>
>
>
> That's what I do Sara.
>
>
>
> Ann Manley, Esq.
>
> The Manley Law Firm, P.S., Inc.
>
> PO Box 16324
>
> Seattle, WA 98116
>
> (206)292-3064 <(206)%20292-3064> / (206)292-3914 <(206)%20292-3914> fax
>
> www.manleyfirm.com
>
> *The Manley Law Firm practice areas include Bankruptcy*, Estate Planning,
> Auto Accidents, Civil Litigation, Construction, Commercial and Contract
> Law, Personal injury, Small Business, Unemployment Claims, Wage Loss and
> Compensation claims*
>
> ** The Manley Law Firm is a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file for
> bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.*
>
> *This email and any files transmitted with it are privileged,
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>
>
> On Fri, Oct 2, 2026 at 10:43 AM Sara Longley <sara.longley at ivylawpllc.com>
> wrote:
>
> As a solo attorney, it is far easier to bring in one person to witness
> than two.  I usually act as the second witness for the Will, and if the
> client is doing Powers of Attorney I can be the notary for those
> documents.  The alternative is asking the client to bring disinterested
> witnesses, which usually involves a scheduling nightmare and quite a bit of
> un-billable time.
>
>
>
> Sara
>
>
>
> Sara D. Longley, Attorney
>
> Ivy Law PLLC
>
> 1417 NW 54
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1417+NW+54?entry=gmail&source=g>th
> St., Ste. 313
>
> Seattle, WA 98107
>
> (206) 925-2727
>
> Sara.Longley at IvyLawPLLC.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
> <https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/bookwithme/user/9e9bb9a083c94197aafe4f8853f351ce@ivylawpllc.com?anonymous&ismsaljsauthenabled&ep=bwmEmailSignature>
>
> Book time to meet with me
> <https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/bookwithme/user/9e9bb9a083c94197aafe4f8853f351ce@ivylawpllc.com?anonymous&ismsaljsauthenabled&ep=bwmEmailSignature>
>
>
>
> *From:* wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <
> wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> *On Behalf Of *Lewis, Amy C.
> *Sent:* Friday, October 2, 2026 10:09 AM
> *To:* WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [WSBAPT] Notarized Will required to admit to probate vs
> valid > Will
>
>
>
> For us the downside is tying up the time of three people in the office for
> every Will signing.  When we have multiple attorneys with overlapping Will
> signing appointments, we don’t have enough staff to cover two witnesses and
> the notary.
>
>
>
>
>
> Amy Lewis, Attorney
> Pronouns she/her/hers
>
> 909 A Street, Suite 600 | Tacoma, WA 98402
> phone 253.572.4500 <(253)%20572-4500> | fax 253.272.5732
> <(253)%20272-5732> | www.eisenhowerlaw.com
>
> *From:* wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <
> wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> *On Behalf Of *Mark McClure
> *Sent:* Friday, October 2, 2026 10:00 AM
> *To:* WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [WSBAPT] Notarized Will required to admit to probate vs
> valid > Will
>
>
>
> Why don’t you notarize?  What is the downside?
>
>
>
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1103+West+Meeker%0D%0A+Street,+%23101+%0D%0A+Kent,+WA+98032+%0D%0A+Office:+%0D%0A+253?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> *Mark C. McClure* *|
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1103+West+Meeker%0D%0A+Street,+%23101+%0D%0A+Kent,+WA+98032+%0D%0A+Office:+%0D%0A+253?entry=gmail&source=g>*
> *Managing Attorney
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1103+West+Meeker%0D%0A+Street,+%23101+%0D%0A+Kent,+WA+98032+%0D%0A+Office:+%0D%0A+253?entry=gmail&source=g>*Law
> Office of Mark McClure, PS
>
> *"Why Retire With Debt?" *1103 West Meeker Street, #101
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1103+West+Meeker+Street,+%23101+%0D%0AKent,+WA+98032+%0D%0A+Office:+253?entry=gmail&source=g>
> Kent, WA 98032
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1103+West+Meeker+Street,+%23101+%0D%0AKent,+WA+98032+%0D%0A+Office:+253?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Office:
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1103+West+Meeker+Street,+%23101+%0D%0AKent,+WA+98032+%0D%0A+Office:+253?entry=gmail&source=g>
> 253.631.6484 <(253)%20631-6484> (Leave Msg - Will be returned within 24
> hours)
> Email: Mark at McClureLawGroup.com
> Web: www.McClureLawGroup.com <http://www.mcclurelawgroup.com/>
>
> *Notice of Unavailability:*  *TBD*
>
> ***NOTE** All visits must be scheduled in advance for access to the
> building.  Call *253-631-6484 <(253)%20631-6484> * to schedule.*
>
> *CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:* This email contains legal stuff. If you are not
> the intended recipient you could get into a lot of trouble if you read it,
> and even more trouble if you tell someone else about it. So, the best thing
> to do is ignore it and forget you ever saw it. Thank you.
>
>
>
> *From:* wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <
> wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> *On Behalf Of *Eric Nelsen
> *Sent:* Friday, October 2, 2026 9:39 AM
> *To:* WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [WSBAPT] Notarized Will required to admit to probate vs
> valid > Will
>
>
>
> No crushing required! Looks good to me. So now we’ll both be crushed if
> someone finds a flaw.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1417+31st+Ave+South+%0D%0A+Seattle+WA+98144-3909?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Eric
>
>
>
> Eric C. Nelsen
>
> Sayre Law Offices, PLLC
>
> 1417 31st Ave South
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1417+31st+Ave+South+%0D%0A+Seattle+WA+98144-3909?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Seattle WA 98144-3909
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1417+31st+Ave+South+%0D%0A+Seattle+WA+98144-3909?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> 206-625-0092 <(206)%20625-0092>
>
> eric at sayrelawoffices.com
>
>
>
> *From:* wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <
> wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> *On Behalf Of *Eva Luchini
> *Sent:* Friday, October 2, 2026 9:21 AM
> *To:* wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com
> *Subject:* [WSBAPT] Notarized Will required to admit to probate vs valid
> > Will
>
>
>
>
>
> I do not notarize my Wills.  I do a declaration of witnesses of which I am
> one and my assistant is the other and it should be  *SELF PROVING
> PURSUANT TO RCW 5.50.030, 11.20.020*
>
>
>
> Here’s what it looks like, below.
>
>
>
> Feel free to crush my soul and tell me I’ve been doing it wrong.
>
>
>
> *DECLARATION OF WITNESSES*
>
> *(SELF PROVING PURSUANT TO RCW 5.50.030, 11.20.020)*
>
> Each of the undersigned declares that, on the date written below and, in
> our presence, [CLIENT] declared this document to be their Will and signed
> it as the Testator. At the Testator’s request and in the presence of the
> Testator and each other, we are signing as attesting witnesses. The
> Testator appears to be over 18 years old, of sound and disposing mind and
> memory, competent in every respect to make a Will, and not under any
> restraint, duress, or undue influence. Each of us is over 18 years old and
> competent to be an attesting witness. This declaration is made at the
> request of [CLIENT] for the purpose of proving the foregoing Will.
>
> Each of us further declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of the
> State of Washington that the foregoing declaration is true and correct.
>
> Signed at __, Washington, on____________, 2026.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Witness Signature
>
>
>
> Witness Signature
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Witness Printed Name
>
>
>
> Witness Printed Name
>
> Camas, WA 98607
>
>
>
> Camas, WA 98607
>
> Witness Address
>
>
>
> Witness Address
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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