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</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'>As I heard one estate litigation attorney say, the drafting attorney is already a witness, and probably there is no better one. So they might as well sign the declaration/affidavit. That said, if I suspect potential trouble down the road, I usually try to have someone other than myself sign so I am an additional witness to the other two regarding execution, capacity, etc. <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'>On the probate side of Wills I’ve witnessed where I now represent the PR, I always advise the PR I may have to resign if someone contests the validity of the Will. FWIW, a local judge told me no additional disclosure was warranted in the Petition, if attorney representing proposed PR also witnessed the offered Will (and volunteered the fact he had done it numerous times while in private practice himself). Hope that helps, Cy <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><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Cyrus W. Field, Attorney at Law (admitted in Washington and Oregon)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>phone: 360-472-1223 Mail: POB 367, Shaw Island, WA 98286 Office: 640 Mullis St. Friday Harbor, WA</span></i><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:8.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>******************************************************************<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The information contained in this e-mail message, including attachments, may be privileged, confidential and protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or copying is strictly prohibited. If you think you have received this e-mail in error, please e-mail the sender at cyfield@rockisland.com and destroy or delete the original and any copies. <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 #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"'> Sara D. Longley [mailto:sara@longley-law.pro] <b>On Behalf Of </b>author.nameemail<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, May 24, 2018 2:01 PM<br><b>To:</b> Elder Law Section<br><b>Subject:</b> RE: [elder-law-section] last will and testament witnesses/newbie question<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_MailEndCompose"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I often witness for my estate planning clients. The exception to this would be if you are named in the will as a beneficiary or to serve as an alternate Personal Representative.</span></a><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'>Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Sara<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='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><img width=23 height=27 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D3F36B.1CD46C50" alt="cid:image001.jpg@01D1F8A6.19C81E60"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif";color:#1F497D'>Sara D. Longley, J.D., LL.M.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif";color:#1F497D'>L</span><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif";color:#1F497D'>ONGLEY</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif";color:#1F497D'> L</span><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif";color:#1F497D'>AW</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif";color:#1F497D'> PLLC <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif";color:#1F497D'>1734 NW Market Street<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif";color:#1F497D'>Seattle, WA 98107<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="tel:%28206%29%20434-5644" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif"'>(206) 434-5644</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Sara@longley-law.pro" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif";color:#0563C1'>Sara@Longley-law.pro</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.longley-law.pro/" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Century","serif";color:#0563C1'>www.longley-law.pro</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Century","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'>This email is intended only for the individual to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and/or exempt from disclosure. If you have received this message in error, please inform the sender by telephone or reply email and delete this message and all attachments. Thank you.<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 #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"'> Mark Vohr [<a href="mailto:mcv@ohanafc.comelder-law-section@list.wsba.org">mailto:mcv@ohanafc.comelder-law-section@list.wsba.org</a>] <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, May 24, 2018 1:50 PM<br><b>To:</b> Elder Law Section <<a href="mailto:elder-law-section@list.wsba.org">elder-law-section@list.wsba.org</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: [elder-law-section] last will and testament witnesses/newbie question<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'>Yes. It is our experience that attorneys witness wills for their clients all the time. See RCW 11.12.160 and RCW 11.12.020. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Baskerville Old Face","serif"'>Mark<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=629 style='width:6.55in;margin-left:14.0pt;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=161 valign=top style='width:120.6pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC";color:#1F497D'>Ohana Fiduciary Corp.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC";color:#1F497D'>A Washington Trust Company<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=468 valign=top style='width:351.0pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC";color:#1F497D'>Mark C. Vohr, J.D., CPG, Principal<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC";color:#1F497D'>PO Box 33710 Seattle, WA 98133<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC";color:#1F497D'>T: (206) 782-1189 F: (206) 782-1434<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Calisto MT","serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="mailto:mcv@ohanafc.com"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#0563C1'>mcv@ohanafc.com</span></a></span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-family:"Calisto MT","serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://www.ohanafc.com/"><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#0563C1'>www.ohanafc.com</span></a></span><span style='font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC";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'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><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"'> Harkiran Sekhon [<a href="mailto:harkiran@sekhonlawpllc.com">mailto:harkiran@sekhonlawpllc.com</a>] <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, May 24, 2018 1:44 PM<br><b>To:</b> Elder Law Section <<a href="mailto:elder-law-section@list.wsba.org">elder-law-section@list.wsba.org</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [elder-law-section] last will and testament witnesses/newbie question<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Hi All, <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I had a witness fall through for the signing of a last will and testament. Would I be able to stand in as a witness if i can't find a replacement? <br clear=all><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Harkiran<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>-- <o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#3D85C6'>Harkiran Sekhon</span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Attorney <o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Sekhon Law, PLLC</span></b><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#3D85C6'>P: </span>(253) 237-6163 | <span style='color:#3D85C6'>W: </span><span style='color:black'><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.sekhonlawpllc.com&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=K1mLMC1eFjwfeeMM-AC6zQ&m=zkBWplYROZzHXvOZ5yKuH4lLl98aoNbIH9TKdSQs4LI&s=La0o9gRxdnxRwxNVeEhenA4pktks84QCIYuNYgZN-6c&e=" target="_blank">www.sekhonlawpllc.com</a> | </span><span style='color:#3D85C6'>A: </span>707 S. Grady Way STE 600 Renton, WA 98057<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>---</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>You are currently subscribed to elder-law-section as: <a href="mailto:mcv@ohanafc.com">mcv@ohanafc.com</a>. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>To receive the Daily Digest format, send an email to: <a href="mailto:digest-elder-law-section@list.wsba.org">digest-elder-law-section@list.wsba.org</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p>If you wish to unsubscribe, please contact the <a href="mailto:sections@wsba.org?subject=Unsubscribe%20from%20Elder%20Law%20List%20Serve">WSBA List Administrator</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:green'>---</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>---</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>You are currently subscribed to elder-law-section as: <a href="mailto:sara@longley-law.pro">sara@longley-law.pro</a>. </span><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>To receive the Daily Digest format, send an email to: <a href="mailto:digest-elder-law-section@list.wsba.org">digest-elder-law-section@list.wsba.org</a>.</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>If you wish to unsubscribe, please contact the <a href="mailto:sections@wsba.org?subject=Unsubscribe%20from%20Elder%20Law%20List%20Serve">WSBA List Administrator</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:green'>---</span></b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>---</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>You are currently subscribed to elder-law-section as: <a href="mailto:cyfield@rockisland.com">cyfield@rockisland.com</a>. </span><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>To receive the Daily Digest format, send an email to: <a href="mailto:digest-elder-law-section@list.wsba.org">digest-elder-law-section@list.wsba.org</a>.</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>If you wish to unsubscribe, please contact the <a href="mailto:sections@wsba.org?subject=Unsubscribe%20from%20Elder%20Law%20List%20Serve">WSBA List Administrator</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:green'>---</span></b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>