[WSBAPT] Declaration of Completion

Wed Sep 23 13:00:05 PDT 2026

When I started this practice area in 2015 and was gifted the base templates
for NIP probate by a colleague, that I then went and read each statute and
cross-checked everything (lots of extra time in those early years before
anyone knew who I was) - I drew the same conclusion that Eric made. Where I
have under penalty of perjury or notarized was only when the statute set
forth those requirements.

As a member of the team who helped the AGO with the Probate for Profit
changes last year, they specifically were concerned about the PETITION
being signed and sworn by the petitioner but never even looked at the
declaration of completion for any revision or adjustment.

The thoughts may be that by the time you are at the Declaration of
Completion, if there is going to be an objection raised it isn't going to
be over that document but the work that was done leading up to that point.

For what it's worth, when I was teaching myself these steps of an NIP
probate this document was a statement that probate was over, not that this
was a Declaration of the PR in support of the notion that probate was
completed.

*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
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On Wed, Sep 23, 2026 at 12:18 PM Eric Nelsen <eric at sayrelawoffices.com>
wrote:

> It’s an interesting question, I’m glad it was raised!
>
> Our office’s practice has always been a declaration under penalty of
> perjury and I’ve never questioned it. But as Mark points out, the word
> “declaration” as used in the statute doesn’t state “under penalty of
> perjury” and doesn’t state anything about affidavit under oath. It’s an
> anomalous use of the term “declaration.” Rules of statutory construction
> would arguably indicate that the court shouldn’t add “under penalty of
> perjury” to the statute when the legislature clearly specifies that in
> other statutes and knows how to do that, but didn’t here.
>
> I may re-think my blanket use of under penalty of perjury for Declarations
> of Completion.
>
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1417+31st+Ave+South+%0D%0A+Seattle+WA+98144-3909?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> 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 *Mark Anderson
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 23, 2026 11:55 AM
> *To:* WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [WSBAPT] Declaration of Completion
>
>
>
> Thanks to all who have responded.  It sounds like this falls in the
> categories of "better safe than sorry" and "belt and suspenders approach."
> In other words, include the penalty of perjury language or have the
> document notarized to include language to the effect of "Signed and sworn
> to (or affirmed) before me this date ….”  c
>
>
> *Mark B. Anderson *ANDERSON LAW FIRM PLLC
> 821 Dock Street, Suite 209
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/821+Dock+Street,+Suite+209?entry=gmail&source=g>,
> PMB 4-12
> Tacoma, Washington 98402
> +1 253-327-1750 <(253)%20327-1750>
> +1 253-327-1751 <(253)%20327-1751> (fax)
> marka at mbaesq.com
> www.mbaesq.com
>
>
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>
> *From:* wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <
> wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> *On Behalf Of *Heather de Vrieze
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 23, 2026 11:09 AM
> *To:* WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [WSBAPT] Declaration of Completion
>
>
>
> I don’t know whether it is required, but I have always either notarized
> these or included the under penalty of perjury language.
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/3909+California+Avenue+SW+%0D%0A+Seattle,+WA+98116-3705?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Heather
>
> Heather S. de Vrieze
> *(she/her)*
>
> *Attorney-at-Law*
>
> 3909 California Avenue SW
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/3909+California+Avenue+SW+%0D%0A+Seattle,+WA+98116-3705?entry=gmail&source=g>
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>
>
> (206)938-5500 <(206)%20938-5500>
>
> heatherd at westseattlelaw.com
>
> www.westseattlelaw.com
>
>
>
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>
> *From:* wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <
> wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> *On Behalf Of *Mark Anderson
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 23, 2026 10:34 AM
> *To:* WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
> *Subject:* [WSBAPT] Declaration of Completion
>
>
>
> Dear All:
>
> Please remind me, is a Declaration of Completion under RCW 11.68.110
> required to be signed under penalty of perjury?  RCW 11.68.110 does not
> address this.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> *Mark B. Anderson *ANDERSON LAW FIRM PLLC
> 821 Dock Street, Suite 209
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/821+Dock+Street,+Suite+209?entry=gmail&source=g>,
> PMB 4-12
> Tacoma, Washington 98402
> +1 253-327-1750 <(253)%20327-1750>
> +1 253-327-1751 <(253)%20327-1751> (fax)
> marka at mbaesq.com
> www.mbaesq.com
>
>
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> protected by the attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine, or other
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> person responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, be advised that
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