<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Garamond;
panose-1:2 2 4 4 3 3 1 1 8 3;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
p.MsoAcetate, li.MsoAcetate, div.MsoAcetate
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Balloon Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:8.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";}
p.ecxmsonormal, li.ecxmsonormal, div.ecxmsonormal
{mso-style-name:ecxmsonormal;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
p.ecxmsochpdefault, li.ecxmsochpdefault, div.ecxmsochpdefault
{mso-style-name:ecxmsochpdefault;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
p.ecxmsonormal1, li.ecxmsonormal1, div.ecxmsonormal1
{mso-style-name:ecxmsonormal1;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
p.ecxmsochpdefault1, li.ecxmsochpdefault1, div.ecxmsochpdefault1
{mso-style-name:ecxmsochpdefault1;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
span.ecxmsohyperlink
{mso-style-name:ecxmsohyperlink;}
span.ecxmsohyperlinkfollowed
{mso-style-name:ecxmsohyperlinkfollowed;}
span.ecxemailstyle17
{mso-style-name:ecxemailstyle17;}
span.ecxemailstyle18
{mso-style-name:ecxemailstyle18;}
span.ecxmsohyperlink1
{mso-style-name:ecxmsohyperlink1;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.ecxmsohyperlinkfollowed1
{mso-style-name:ecxmsohyperlinkfollowed1;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.ecxemailstyle171
{mso-style-name:ecxemailstyle171;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:windowtext;}
span.ecxemailstyle181
{mso-style-name:ecxemailstyle181;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;}
span.EmailStyle30
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;}
span.BalloonTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Balloon Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Balloon Text";
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";}
span.EmailStyle33
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Thanks to everyone who answered my question. Here are the responses that I received in order of receipt:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Do the Oath in the form of a Declaration.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>_________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I don’t think you can get away with a witness for an oath. The oath isn’t equivalent to “a declaration in lieu of affidavit” situation. RCW 11.28.170 requires the PR to take and subscribe an oath, before some person authorized to administer oaths. The notary is a public official that is authorized to administer oaths and is usually the most convenient.<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'>In Washington, RCW 5.28.010 gives a list of those who may administer oaths:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Every court, judge, clerk of a court, state-certified court reporter, or notary public, is authorized to take testimony in any action, suit or proceeding, and such other persons in particular cases as authorized by law.<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'>For foreign PRs, usually a consulate is the best bet. Maybe there are others officials near her that can administer an oath in lieu of a notary?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>______________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>In my situation, we presented the court with a scanned color copy of the notarized Oath (the original was still in the mail from England). Although the fact that it was a foreign notary seal was perfectly acceptable, the fact that it was a copy was not – it had to be the original. That being said, I cannot imagine the court would accept an oath in declaration format, or one not notarized.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>_______________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Garamond","serif"'>I’m not sure that works. <span style='background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>(Note: Referring to using a declaration)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Garamond","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Garamond","serif"'>RCW 11.28.170<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Garamond","serif"'>Oath of personal representative.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Garamond","serif"'>Before letters testamentary or of administration are issued, each personal representative or an officer of a bank or trust company qualified to act as a personal representative, must take and subscribe an oath, before some person authorized to administer oaths, that the duties of the trust as personal representative will be performed according to law, which oath must be filed in the cause.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Garamond","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Garamond","serif"'>_______________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Garamond","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='color:#595959'>Take a look at RCW 9A.72.085 which would appear to allow a declaration, although there are exceptions which could potentially apply<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Interesting. I have regularly filed PR oath’s signed in declaration form and had no problem with the judge signing the Order appointing PR, but I believe you are correct after reading those statutes. Maybe this is another statutory change that should be made to make probates more user friendly. If my litigation witness can sign a declaration, for example, in support of a motion for summary judgment, and lets assume the litigation involves a million dollar claim, then why can’t my prospective PR, who is appointed to act as such by the testator , sign a binding promise under penalty of perjury etc. to follow the law as a PR without appearing before a Notary? After all we don’t make a prospective PR promise to support and defend the constitution of the US and of the State of Washington anymore.<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'>Note to Probate Secretary, Oaths need to be signed in front of a Notary.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>____________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>The language “This section does not apply to writings requiring an acknowledgment, depositions, oaths of office, or oaths required to be taken before a special official other than a notary public” also appears in 5.50.030. So because the oath can be taken by a notary public under 11.28.170 (some person authorized to administer oaths) then maybe a declaration will work?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>______________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>We have used Declarations of PRs for people who are in remote locations. You need to revise your order to state that Letters Testamentary will be issued upon the filing of a Declaration. We have had no trouble with this in King County. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>_____________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I appreciate the creativity and the advisable step of getting the endorsement of the court to use a declaration in the order of appointment to accommodate a remotely located client. But can a court order waive a statutorily prescribed condition precedent to the issuance of letters? There’s not any permissive language in RCW 11.28.170 allowing for the court’s discretion to waive the requirement, like in setting the amount of the bond or substitute security. I think this is analogous to someone with a felony conviction (not vacated) being disqualified, there isn’t a work around.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>As inconvenient as it might be, I think the statue is pretty clear. The statute doesn’t just say that the person appointed shall take and subscribe an oath that the duties will be performed according to law. If that is all that it said, then a substitute declaration might be allowed – and assuming the exclusions in RCW 9A.72.085(4) don’t apply.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>But I think that this approach ignores the part of RCW 11.28.170 that says the oath “must” be taken and subscribed “before some person authorized to administer oaths.” A declaration under penalty of perjury is not made before another person, it is signed by the declarer alone. So, I think that you still run afoul of the plain language of the statute that requires there to be another person involved, and that other person must have a specific type of authority, i.e. to administer oaths.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>______________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Very truly yours,<br> <br>ADVANCE LEGAL SERVICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Russell L. Mikow</span></b><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>8113 W. Quinault Ave., Ste. 101<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Kennewick, WA 99336 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>(509) 851-7884<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS ABOVE!</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="mailto:russell@alsnorthwest.com">russell@alsnorthwest.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> <a href="http://www.alsnorthwest.com/" target="_blank"><span style='color:#0068CF'>www.alsnorthwest.com</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Executive Committee Secretary, Washington Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association 2015-2016<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:black'>This E-Mail message and any documentation accompanying this transmission may contain privileged and/or confidential information and is intended solely for the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended addressee/recipient, you are hereby notified that any use of, disclosure, copying, distribution, or reliance on the contents of this E-Mail information is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action against you. Please reply to the sender advising of the error in transmission and immediately delete/destroy the message and any accompanying documents. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of this firm shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. Although this message and any attachments are believed to be free of any virus or other defect that might affect any computer system into which it is received and opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it is virus free, and no responsibility is accepted by this firm for any loss or damage in any way from its use. Thank you.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";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"'> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>pugetsoundlaw@gmail.com<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, June 24, 2016 12:04 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv'<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Another Out of Country PR issue<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I appreciate the creativity and the advisable step of getting the endorsement of the court to use a declaration in the order of appointment to accommodate a remotely located client. But can a court order waive a statutorily prescribed condition precedent to the issuance of letters? There’s not any permissive language in RCW 11.28.170 allowing for the court’s discretion to waive the requirement, like in setting the amount of the bond or substitute security. I think this is analogous to someone with a felony conviction (not vacated) being disqualified, there isn’t a work around.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>As inconvenient as it might be, I think the statue is pretty clear. The statute doesn’t just say that the person appointed shall take and subscribe an oath that the duties will be performed according to law. If that is all that it said, then a substitute declaration might be allowed – and assuming the exclusions in RCW 9A.72.085(4) don’t apply.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>But I think that this approach ignores the part of RCW 11.28.170 that says the oath “must” be taken and subscribed “before some person authorized to administer oaths.” A declaration under penalty of perjury is not made before another person, it is signed by the declarer alone. So, I think that you still run afoul of the plain language of the statute that requires there to be another person involved, and that other person must have a specific type of authority, i.e. to administer oaths.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Tara M. Roberts</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Puget Sound Law pllc</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="mailto:roberts@pugetsoundlaw.com">roberts@pugetsoundlaw.com</a></span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>******************************<br></span><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The information contained in this email is intended as a collegial exchange of ideas, may be incorrect, and is made without warranty of accuracy of any kind. The ideas and opinions expressed in this message are offered as unresearched thoughts, may be retracted or changed without notice, and do not create any attorney-client relationship. They should not be relied upon as applicable to any particular fact situation. Thank you.</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><br>******************************</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","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>Marcia Mellinger<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, June 23, 2016 4:06 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Another Out of Country PR issue<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>We have used Declarations of PRs for people who are in remote locations. You need to revise your order to state that Letters Testamentary will be issued upon the filing of a Declaration. We have had no trouble with this in King County. Best, Marcia<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></span></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>From: </span><a href="mailto:jgrant@accima.com"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>jgrant@accima.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br>To: </span><a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br>Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:05:27 -0700<br>CC: </span><a href="mailto:secretary.jgrant@accima.com"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>secretary.jgrant@accima.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br>Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Another Out of Country PR issue<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Interesting. I have regularly filed PR oath’s signed in declaration form and had no problem with the judge signing the Order appointing PR, but I believe you are correct after reading those statutes. Maybe this is another statutory change that should be made to make probates more user friendly. If my litigation witness can sign a declaration, for example, in support of a motion for summary judgment, and lets assume the litigation involves a million dollar claim, then why can’t my prospective PR, who is appointed to act as such by the testator , sign a binding promise under penalty of perjury etc. to follow the law as a PR without appearing before a Notary? After all we don’t make a prospective PR promise to support and defend the constitution of the US and of the State of Washington anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Note to Probate Secretary, Oaths need to be signed in front of a Notary.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Joshua F. Grant, PS<br>Attorney at Law<br>P. O. Box 619<br>Wilbur, WA 99185<br>tel 509 647 5578<br>fax 509 647 2734<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'> </span><a href="mailto:pugetsoundlaw@gmail.com" title="pugetsoundlaw@gmail.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>pugetsoundlaw@gmail.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> <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'> Thursday, June 23, 2016 2:31 PM<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'> </span><a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" title="wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv'</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> <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'> Re: [WSBAPT] Another Out of Country PR issue<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I don’t think you can get away with a witness for an oath. The oath isn’t equivalent to “a declaration in lieu of affidavit” situation. RCW 11.28.170 requires the PR to take and subscribe an oath, before some person authorized to administer oaths. The notary is a public official that is authorized to administer oaths and is usually the most convenient.</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>In Washington, RCW 5.28.010 gives a list of those who may administer oaths:</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Every court, judge, clerk of a court, state-certified court reporter, or notary public, is authorized to take testimony in any action, suit or proceeding, and such other persons in particular cases as authorized by law.</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>For foreign PRs, usually a consulate is the best bet. Maybe there are others officials near her that can administer an oath in lieu of a notary?</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Tara M. Roberts</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Puget Sound Law pllc</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:roberts@pugetsoundlaw.com"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>roberts@pugetsoundlaw.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>******************************<br></span><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The information contained in this email is intended as a collegial exchange of ideas, may be incorrect, and is made without warranty of accuracy of any kind. The ideas and opinions expressed in this message are offered as unresearched thoughts, may be retracted or changed without notice, and do not create any attorney-client relationship. They should not be relied upon as applicable to any particular fact situation. Thank you.</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><br>******************************</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>From:</span></b><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> </span><a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> [</span><a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Russell Mikow<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, June 23, 2016 2:03 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <</span><a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Another Out of Country PR issue<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Dear all:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>I am preparing to file a probate on behalf of a potential PR who lives in a rural part of Mexico. We normally have the PR sign and have notarized the Oath of Personal Representative, but she is having difficulty finding a notary in her locale. Would the Oath be sufficient for RCW 11.28.1701 purposes if it is signed and witnessed (not notarized)? Any bright ideas how to address this issue? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Very truly yours,<br> <br>ADVANCE LEGAL SERVICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Russell L. Mikow</span></b><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>8113 W. Quinault Ave., Ste. 101<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Kennewick, WA 99336 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>(509) 851-7884<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS ABOVE!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:russell@alsnorthwest.com"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>russell@alsnorthwest.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> </span><a href="http://www.alsnorthwest.com/" target="_blank"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#0068CF'>www.alsnorthwest.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Executive Committee Secretary, Washington Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association 2015-2016<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>This E-Mail message and any documentation accompanying this transmission may contain privileged and/or confidential information and is intended solely for the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended addressee/recipient, you are hereby notified that any use of, disclosure, copying, distribution, or reliance on the contents of this E-Mail information is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action against you. Please reply to the sender advising of the error in transmission and immediately delete/destroy the message and any accompanying documents. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of this firm shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. Although this message and any attachments are believed to be free of any virus or other defect that might affect any computer system into which it is received and opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it is virus free, and no responsibility is accepted by this firm for any loss or damage in any way from its use. Thank you.</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></span></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>_______________________________________________<br>WSBAPT mailing list<br></span><a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><br></span><a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</span></a><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br>_______________________________________________ WSBAPT mailing list </span><a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</span></a><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> </span><a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</span></a><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></body></html>