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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Ah--I misunderstood. Then I think Jackie has it right. If the witnesses were attorneys or other professionals in an office where you might get supporting testimony recognizing the witness signatures and testifying
to office practices on witnessing Wills, maybe you can get it proved. But with both witnesses deceased, it's harder than with only one, because you have to rely on so much more circumstantial evidence. And with neither witness available to testify under oath
to the attestation elements (competence of testator, no undue influence, etc.), it might not be do-able.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<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>JOYCE SCHWENSEN<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, September 24, 2019 3:18 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] How to handle lack of attestation of witnesses<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The witnessed signed, but they did not complete a self-proving affidavit.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">Law Office of Joyce S. Schwensen<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">Joyce S. Schwensen, PS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">12055 15<sup>th</sup> Ave NE</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:navy"><br>
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">Seattle, WA 98125</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:navy">
<br>
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">Tel: (206) 367-1065<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">Fax</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">:
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:#000099">(206) 899-1674</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy"><br>
</span><a href="mailto:Joyce@SchwensenLaw.com"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">Joyce@SchwensenLaw.com</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.schwensenlaw.com/"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">www.SchwensenLaw.com</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:#002060"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">PLEASE NOTE
<u>NEW ADDRESS</u>: <u>12055 15<sup>TH</sup> AVE. NE, SEATTLE, WA 98125</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black"><br>
</span></i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:black">This communication (including any attachments) is confidential and may contain legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient or believe that you may have received this communication
in error, please delete this communication from your computer and do not retransmit, copy, print or otherwise disseminate this communication.</span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP:<br>
</span></i></b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:black">This e-mail does not in any way intend to provide legal advice to be relied upon by any recipient and does not create any duty or obligation for legal representation on behalf of the sender Joyce S. Schwensen,
PS on behalf of the recipient of this e-mail without a written engagement agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>REFERRALS:<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt">Please note that no referral by this law firm to other legal professionals is intended as a guaranty or assurance as to the experience, ability, professionalism or other characteristics of such legal professionals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <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>Eric Nelsen<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, September 24, 2019 2:49 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] How to handle lack of attestation of witnesses<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">If the witnesses didn't sign, how can you know they were witnesses to the Will? I think that's no good, unprovable.<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">To make a Will valid, the witnesses absolutely must sign "while in the presence of the testator and at the testator's direction or request."
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.12.020">RCW 11.12.020</a>. With the alleged witnesses deceased, I don't see any way around it.<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">Only alternative I can think of is a TEDRA agreement between all heirs and Will beneficiaries, agreeing that the Will reflects the true intent of the testator and agreeing that it is valid and should be followed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D">fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<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>JOYCE SCHWENSEN<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, September 24, 2019 2:30 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] How to handle lack of attestation of witnesses<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’d like some suggestions on the best way to approach the court with a Will that has no attestation of witnesses, and both witnesses are known to be deceased.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you, Joyce Schwensen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">Law Office of Joyce S. Schwensen<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">Joyce S. Schwensen, PS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">12055 15<sup>th</sup> Ave NE</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:navy"><br>
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">Seattle, WA 98125</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:navy">
<br>
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">Tel: (206) 367-1065<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">Fax</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">:
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:#000099">(206) 899-1674</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy"><br>
</span><a href="mailto:Joyce@SchwensenLaw.com"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">Joyce@SchwensenLaw.com</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.schwensenlaw.com/"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">www.SchwensenLaw.com</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:#002060"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy">PLEASE NOTE
<u>NEW ADDRESS</u>: <u>12055 15<sup>TH</sup> AVE. NE, SEATTLE, WA 98125</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black"><br>
</span></i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:black">This communication (including any attachments) is confidential and may contain legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient or believe that you may have received this communication
in error, please delete this communication from your computer and do not retransmit, copy, print or otherwise disseminate this communication.</span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP:<br>
</span></i></b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:black">This e-mail does not in any way intend to provide legal advice to be relied upon by any recipient and does not create any duty or obligation for legal representation on behalf of the sender Joyce S. Schwensen,
PS on behalf of the recipient of this e-mail without a written engagement agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>REFERRALS:<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt">Please note that no referral by this law firm to other legal professionals is intended as a guaranty or assurance as to the experience, ability, professionalism or other characteristics of such legal professionals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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