<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>I generally use declarations these days since our office is lean and mean. I haven't had a problem proving WA law in ancillary situations. </div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">I had an interesting situation last week - a will from 1960 that was labeled a copy, indicating the original was in the office of a now deceased attorney. But this was before Xerox machines, so the "copy" had original signatures in blue ink. Velategui accepted it as an original. </div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">John Sullivan<br><br>Sent from my iPhone</div><div><br>On Oct 18, 2015, at 1:19 PM, Douglas Bratt <<a href="mailto:djbratt@mbavancouverlaw.com">djbratt@mbavancouverlaw.com</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I have done both, given the Washington statute that equates a properly crafted Declaration as being legally equivalent to an Affidavit. I always use the Affidavit if I am involved in having the client sign in the office where there are plenty of potential witnesses. However, upon occasion, with disabled folks, or people in the hospital, to whom I travel, I often choose to use the Declaration, meaning that I only have to involve one neighbor, or a person from down the hall in the hospital, to have the necessary witnesses, assuming I am to be one of the witnesses.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I can echo Martin’s concerns, however, if the will gets probated in another state. It is not all that much trouble (at least for multi-attorney offices) to always have a couple of witnesses, along with me serving as a Notary, that I would think that would be the practical way to do it, with the least probable issues with the PR getting hassled in an out-of-state court, by a judge in whose state the Declaration form is not similarly accepted in lieu of an Affidavit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I simply would not habitually do it just one way, in any circumstance. Each case gets analyzed as to what works best for the convenience of the client, given his/her personal circumstances, and me, in getting the signing accomplished most economically, time-wise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Doug Bratt<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:#1F497D">Douglas J. Bratt</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:#1F497D">Lawyer</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><img width="176" height="179" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D109A7.92662090" alt="Envelope scaled Foster"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D">Office: (360) 213-2040 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"> Fax: (360) 213-2030<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D">CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message may contain confidential or privileged information. If you have received this message by mistake, please do not review, disclose, copy, or distribute the email. Instead, please notify us immediately by replying to this message or telephoning us. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D">NOTE:</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D">I do not use encrypted email. Messages sent to or from my office via email are not secure and may not be protected by attorney-client privilege. This email address is not monitored at all times. If your matter is urgent, please phone my office during regular business hours.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D">TAX ADVICE NOTICE: IRS Circular 230 requires us to advise you that, if this communication or any attachment contains any tax advice, the advice is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding federal tax penalties. A taxpayer may rely on professional advice to avoid federal tax penalties only if the advice is reflected in a comprehensive tax opinion that conforms to stringent requirements. Please contact us if you have any questions about Circular 230 or would like to discuss our preparation of an opinion that conforms to these IRS rules.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> [<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Martin Silver<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, October 16, 2015 10:49 AM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Self proving affidavit/declaration - notarized?<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">I haven't done a will in years, but my only concern was if the estate has to be probated in another jurisdiction, do you want to have to go through the rigmarole of proving up <br>WA law. So I went back to witness affidavits in most cases. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:whitesmoke"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"> <a href="mailto:sherman@shermansnowlaw.com" title="sherman@shermansnowlaw.com">Sherman Snow</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:whitesmoke"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">Sent:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"> Friday, October 16, 2015 10:15 AM<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:whitesmoke"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">To:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"> <a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" title="wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv'</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:whitesmoke"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">Subject:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"> [WSBAPT] Self proving affidavit/declaration - notarized?<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Happy Friday – <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> </span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Just curious if any of you for your wills, for the self-proving affidavit, use a declaration without a notary?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> </span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">I have seen that to satisfy RCW 11.20.020 for a self-proving affidavit for a will, instead of the more traditional affidavit with two witness and a notary, just having a declaration with the two witness signatures. Pursuant to RCW 9A.72.085 the witnesses need to declare under penalty of perjury under the law of the State of Washington true and correct…, but it seems if this is satisfied, no notary is required for the affidavit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> </span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Has anyone used this regularly? Any problems in probate?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> </span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Thanks so much, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> </span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Sherman<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> </span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:#FF8000">Snow Law PLLC</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:#FF8000"><br></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:#212121">(206) 659-2498<br></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:black">3703 S. Edmunds St. #104, Seattle WA 98118</span><span style="color:#212121"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:#212121"><a href="mailto:sherman@shermansnowlaw.com"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif","sans-serif";color:#FF8000">sherman@shermansnowlaw.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> </span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><hr size="2" width="100%" align="center"></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">_______________________________________________<br>WSBAPT mailing list<br><a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com">WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><br><a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt">http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div><span>_______________________________________________</span><br><span>WSBAPT mailing list</span><br><span><a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com">WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</a></span><br><span><a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt">http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</a></span></div></blockquote></body></html>