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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Resist disclosure of your file to anyone not within your attorney-client privilege. A copy of a Will is not a Will; only the original instrument qualifies.
A copy of a Will in a lawyer's file is a record of work done, and it's confidential and privileged.<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">There is no duty to file a
<b><i>copy</i></b> of a Will with the Court; otherwise, every single possessor of a photocopy would be required to file it, and every lawyer would be required to file a copy of every single Will they ever kept a copy of, whenever that client died.<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">Also, technically, note that a copy of a Will is not proved
<b><i>as a valid Will in and of itself</i></b>; the photocopy is simply evidence used to prove the
<b><i>contents</i></b> of the lost original instrument. The "Will" is simply lost; the copy helps prove what it said. (And the petitioner additionally must rebut the legal presumption that the lost Will was actually destroyed with intent to revoke it.)<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">All that said--what kind of case is that ex parte order issued from? If it's not a proceeding establishing a PR, then what is it?<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>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="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">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="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">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<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>Rick Hoss<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, May 30, 2019 3:27 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv'<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] duty to deliver will - RPC 1.6<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D">Dalynne,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D">I have a copy only. “Will” means an instrument validly executed. RCW 11.02.005(20).
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D">Rick<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<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>Dalynne Singleton<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, May 30, 2019 3:16 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] duty to deliver will - RPC 1.6<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:3.75pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white">
<b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black">File the Will as directed in the RCW. Inform the heir that you have done so.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:3.75pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white">
<b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black">RCW <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.20.010"><span style="color:#7DAB8A">11.20.010</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black">Duty of custodian of will</span></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black">—</span></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black">Liability.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;background:white"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black">Any person having the custody or control of any will shall, within thirty days after he or she shall have received knowledge of the
death of the testator, deliver said will to the court having jurisdiction or to the person named in the will as executor, and any executor having in his or her custody or control any will shall within forty days after he or she received knowledge of the death
of the testator deliver the same to the court having jurisdiction. Any person who shall wilfully violate any of the provisions of this section shall be liable to any party aggrieved for the damages which may be sustained by such violation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D">Dalynne Singleton<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Gourley Law Group<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Snohomish Escrow<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">The Exchange Connection<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D">1002 10<sup>th</sup> Street / PO Box 1091<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D">Snohomish, WA 98291<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D">360.568.5065<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D">360.329.4079<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D">360.568.8092 fax<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#0563C1"><a href="mailto:dalynne@glgmail.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">dalynne@glgmail.com</span></a></span></u><span style="font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:Californian;color:black">LICENSED IN WASHINGTON AND OREGON</span></i><span style="font-family:Californian;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">IMPORTANT/CONFIDENTIAL: This e-mail message (and any attachments accompanying it) may contain confidential information, including information protected by attorney-client privilege. The information
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<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">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Rick Hoss<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, May 30, 2019 3:09 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> [WSBAPT] duty to deliver will - RPC 1.6<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listmates, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If a lawyer has a copy of a will must it be provided to an heir who is not the personal representative?
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RPC 1.6 (a) says that a lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent, the disclosure is impliedly authorized in order to carry out the representation or the disclosure
is permitted in RPC 1.6(b). RPC 1.6(b)(6) says the lawyer may reveal information relating to the representation of a client to comply with a court order.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My client agreement authorizes me to disclose information to the personal representative. Seattle lawyer for heir obtains ex parte court order requiring me to deliver copy of will. He threatens the estate will suffer loss if I don’t comply
now.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ethics hotline response is generally don’t disclose and resist court order. We have tried hard to find the personal representative and back up with no luck.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Suggestions?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rick Hoss<o:p></o:p></p>
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