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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">The "good cause" requirement is actually for withdrawal of the will
<b><i>before</i></b> death by someone other than the testator, as I interpret the statute anyway.<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 think that <b><i>after</i></b> death, the Will should not need to be withdrawn; one just presents the death certificate and the clerk unseals the file. And voila, the Will is filed for permanent record as required
under <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.20&full=true#11.20.010">
RCW 11.20.010</a>, which has to be done even if no probate is necessary.<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">If you truly need to withdraw it for some reason,
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.20&full=true#11.20.050">
RCW 11.20.050</a> seems to allow that upon court order. If you need an exemplified copy to file elsewhere, that is provided for under
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.20&full=true#11.20.060">
RCW 11.20.060</a>.<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>
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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>Candace Wilkerson<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, October 11, 2019 11:36 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Question about RCW 11.12.265<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black;font-weight:normal">Hi Listmates:<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black;font-weight:normal">I am trying to interpret this statute, which appears to contradict itself, because I have a potential client who is trying to retrieve his deceased wife’s will
from the repository, and may not need to probate the will.<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="mso-margin-top-alt:3.75pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white">
<i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black">RCW <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.12.265"><span style="color:#7DAB8A">11.12.265</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>
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<i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black">Filing of original will with court before death of testator.<o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;background:white"><i><span style="font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black">Any person who has custody or control of any original will and who has not received knowledge of the death of the testator may deliver
the will for filing under seal to any court having jurisdiction. The testator may withdraw the original will so filed upon proper identification. Any other person, including an attorney-in-fact or guardian of the testator, may withdraw the original will so
filed only upon court order after showing of good cause. Upon request and presentation of a certified copy of the testator's death certificate, the clerk shall unseal the file. This section does not preclude filing a will not under seal and does not alter
any duty of a person having knowledge of the testator's death to file the will.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in;background:white"><i><span style="font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
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<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black;font-weight:normal">The statute indicates that only upon a motion and showing of good cause will the original will be withdrawn after the testator’s death. But then it says the
clerk shall unseal the file upon presentation of a certified copy of the death certificate. Does this mean the clerk will take that action only
<u>after </u>receiving the court’s order that the will be withdrawn? And is such a motion filed with notice to all will beneficiaries (if the person knows the contents of the will) and/or heirs of the deceased, or can it be done ex parte with a certified copy
of the death certificate?<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="mso-margin-top-alt:3.75pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black;font-weight:normal">For some reason I’ve never had to deal with this, so any guidance would be appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black;font-weight:normal">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="mso-margin-top-alt:3.75pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black;font-weight:normal">Candace Wilkerson<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">Top Ranked Law Firm for 2015 by Fortune Magazine and American Lawyer Media</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Candace Wilkerson<b> |</b> Senior Associate</span><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:red"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#484848">|
</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Wong Fleming </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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