<div dir="ltr">Hello, team. <div><br></div><div>I'm so interested in this thread as I have numerous clients that would rather not meet to sign. Here's my analysis on this, and I am hopeful this will trigger someone to remember a case or other law to support this.</div><div><br></div><div>On the DPOA, why can't a webcam notary service be used? I'm basing this analysis on RCW 11.125.060 which states that a DPOA executed other than in this state is valid in WA if it complies with the laws of that other jurisdiction. Arguably, a notary whose state law allows virtual notary complies with his/her own state in performing the act and that should make the DPOA valid. Likewise, RCW 11.12.20 states that wills are valid in WA so long as they comply with state's law where executed. The language is as follows: </div><div><br></div><div>"PROVIDED, That a last will and testament, executed in the mode prescribed by the law of the place where executed or of the testator's domicile, either at the time of the will's execution or at the time of the testator's death, shall be deemed to be legally executed, and shall be of the same force and effect as if executed in the mode prescribed by the laws of this state."</div><div><div><br></div><div>At the very least, it may be a temporary bandaid and then you could have the clients re-sign documents after all this is over. Or maybe I'm nuts. Admittedly it is a bit of a stretch. However, I do know other practitioners (in CA for example, which has similar language to WA) who are implementing this strategy. In any case, I'd love to hear feedback from our more experienced practitioners on this topic! </div><div><br></div><div>Thank you in advance for weighing in.</div><div><br></div><div><i style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria,serif"><font size="4">Kira M. Rubel</font></span></i><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><i><span style="font-family:Cambria,serif"><font size="2">*Licensed in CA and WA</font></span></i></p>
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<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"></p></div></div></div></div><br></div></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 11:25 AM David Faber <<a href="mailto:david@faberfeinson.com">david@faberfeinson.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">Hi Roger,<div><br></div><div>You are correct that notarization is not possible by webcam at this point in time. My question was about witnessing and whether a webcam would sufficiently constitute being "in the presence of the principal" for a POA under RCW. 11.125.050 as the <i style="font-weight:bold">alternative</i> to notarization authorized therein.</div><div><br></div><div><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">Best,</div><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">David J. Faber</div><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">Faber Feinson PLLC</div><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">210 Polk Street, Suite 1</div><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small">Port Townsend, WA 98368<br>(360) 379-4110</div><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><br></div><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><span style="font-family:Helvetica">*** NOTICE: ATTORNEY CLIENT COMMUNICATION - PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL. This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, or believe that you have received this communication in error, please do not print, copy, retransmit, disseminate, or otherwise use the information. Also, please indicate to the sender that you have received this communication in error, and destroy the copy you received.***</span></div></div></div></div><br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 11:14 AM Roger Hawkes <<a href="mailto:Roger@law-hawks.com" target="_blank">Roger@law-hawks.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)">I believe that notarization has to be in the physical presence of the signer; I think that should also be changed by legislation to allow electronic viewing of the signing.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)">Roger Hawkes, WSBA # 5173<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)">Hawkes Law Firm, P.S. and Sky Valley Lawyers, PLLC<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)">Office: 19944 Ballinger Way NE<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"> Shoreline, WA 98155<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"> And<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"> 423 Main, Sultan, WA 98294<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"> Voice: 206 367 5000<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"> Fax: 206 367 4005<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"> <a href="http://www.hawkeslawfirm.com" target="_blank">
<span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">www.hawkeslawfirm.com</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>David Faber<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, March 16, 2020 10:58 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] COVID-19 - Witnessing by Webcam?<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">As we face lockdown due to COVID-19 (and doubly so because our client base is more likely to be in a vulnerable population), I'm exploring how much can be done using technological solutions. Specifically: <u></u><u></u></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">(1) Pursuant to RCW 11.125.050(1), would witnessing a POA signing by webcam sufficiently constitute being "in the presence of the principal"?<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">(2) Similarly, would witnessing a signature on a Will be sufficient for signing a self-proving affidavit?<u></u><u></u></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seems to me the answer to (2) is slightly closer to an easy "yes" than (1) given all the leniency to the witnessing requirements that exist, but I'm in the dark here and wondering if anyone has any specific knowledge or experience that
could prove helpful and instructive at this point in time. I would surmise this entire list would greatly appreciate this knowledge and practice advice while we try to navigate this unprecedented health crisis.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><br clear="all">
<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Best,<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">David J. Faber<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Faber Feinson PLLC<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">210 Polk Street, Suite 1<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Port Townsend, WA 98368<br>
(360) 379-4110<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif">*** NOTICE: ATTORNEY CLIENT COMMUNICATION - PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL. This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended
recipient, or believe that you have received this communication in error, please do not print, copy, retransmit, disseminate, or otherwise use the information. Also, please indicate to the sender that you have received this communication in error, and destroy
the copy you received.***</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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