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

[Diane Kiepe]

LOL - I'm pretty sure that is true and not an urban legend ;)

Diane Kiepe, J.D., LL.M. Taxation
Kiepe Estate and Probate, PLLC
diane at kiepelaw.com
200 N. Mullan Rd., Suite 203
Spokane Valley, WA  99206
509-808-2087
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On Wed, Sep 30, 2026 at 11:03 AM <steve at aitalaw.com> wrote:

> My first boss told me that when he first starting practicing law back in
> the late ‘50s, before self-proving Wills, you would have to bring the
> witnesses in to the courthouse and have them sworn in to provide live
> testimony that they did in fact witness the signing of the Will. Of course,
> he might’ve been telling some tall tales of the “back in my day” nature…
>
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> *From:* wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <
> wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> *On Behalf Of *Timothy Lehr
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 30, 2026 10:38 AM
> *To:* WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
> *Subject:* [WSBAPT] Notarized Will required to admit to probate vs valid
> Will
>
>
>
> All,
>
>
>
> I have what is likely a dumb question, but have not came across this
> before. PC filed a Petition to admit decedent’s Will and open probate, pro
> se. The Will was signed by two witnesses but not notarized. The court
> denied the petition and stated that the Will needs to be notarized and
> cannot be admitted.
>
>
>
> My office always notarizes our Wills but I did not think that was required
> to admit a Will to probate. My research found that a Will does not need to
> be notarized to be a valid Will under RCW 11.12.020, but a notarized Will
> creates a self-proving Will. Does a Will need to be notarized to admit to
> probate or if not notarized, are there additional requirements to admit the
> un-notarized Will to probate?
>
>
>
> *Timothy C. Lehr*
>
> Attorney & Partner
>
>
>
>
>
> p: 360.855.0131 <(360)%20855-0131>
>
> e: timothy at stileslaw.com
>
> w: www.stileslaw.com
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