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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>This has been an interesting discussion. I agree that generally an attorney should not act as PR. However, I did it once. The client came in on a Friday and begged me to act as PR as he had no one he could think of to act in that capacity. We did not have time to seek out alternate professional personal representative. So I agreed. He died that Sunday. This was in 2014. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I just received the final report from the Asbestos’ attorneys allowing me to wrap up and close the probate. It was a long process and I would not recommend it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jeff Davis<o:p></o:p></p><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> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Sandra Perkins<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 13, 2020 2:47 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv' <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Attorney as Alternate PR?<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Why would any attorney agree to serve as PR of an estate when there are experienced professional fiduciaries who do this as their business at more affordable rates? I would never agree to serve as PR for an estate of any person other than a family member (and even then I would do my best to avoid it). Lawyers are not the best choice as PR; our job is to practice law. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“Don’t let your client’s problem become your problem.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Sandra Perkins<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><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>Laurel Brown<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 13, 2020 1:25 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> Re: [WSBAPT] Attorney as Alternate PR?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>PS - Client had no family, ex husband was deceased; no children, and all her extended family had predeceased her.<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Mon, Apr 13, 2020 at 1:23 PM Laurel Brown <<a href="mailto:laurel.brown8385@gmail.com">laurel.brown8385@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal>Jane,<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for your thoughtful and informative response. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I do have a probate currently where client's named PR would not accept the responsibilities unless I would agree to be named as co-PR. Client's named PR is also the sole beneficiary of the estate and lives out of state.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I agreed, as client was going on hospice, but had independent notary for executing documents.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I also keep extremely detailed activity notes in my timekeeping software and send them to the co-PR/beneficiary for approval prior to payment.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Best,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Laurel<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Mon, Apr 13, 2020 at 1:16 PM Jane Bitz <<a href="mailto:jbitz@whc-attorneys.com" target="_blank">jbitz@whc-attorneys.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>“C 1.8 comment 8: This Rule does not prohibit a lawyer from seeking to have the lawyer or a partner or associate of the lawyer named as executor of the client's estate or to another potentially lucrative fiduciary position. Nevertheless, such appointments will be subject to the general conflict of interest provision in Rule 1.7 when there is a significant risk that the lawyer's interest in obtaining the appointment will materially limit the lawyer's independent professional judgment in advising the client concerning the choice of an executor or other fiduciary. In obtaining the client's informed consent to the conflict, the lawyer should advise the client concerning the nature and extent of the lawyer's financial interest in the appointment, as well as the availability of alternative candidates for the position.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>In the past, when I have agreed to serve as PR, I have the client sign a separate letter explaining that this can result in a potential Conflict of interest and that I will be charging for my time in connection with the Estate Administration which is separate from the attorney fees in connection with opening the probate of the Estate.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>I would NOT do this again. The beneficiaries almost always resent the appointment of the attorney and it almost always is more headache than its worth because you are not supposed to charge your attorney rate for the fiduciary work.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Jane. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Jane G. Bitz<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Of Counsel<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Wolff, Hislop & Crockett, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>12209 E. Mission Ave, Suite 5<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Spokane Vallley, WA 99206-4824<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>(509) 927-9700 x126<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>FAX: (509) 777-1800<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D'><img border=0 width=191 height=96 style='width:1.9895in;height:1.0in' id="gmail-m_2930596977735554259gmail-m_4341963224861625032Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D611AC.FB3A7E10" alt="image001 (4)"></span><span style='color:black'><img border=0 width=115 height=100 style='width:1.1979in;height:1.0416in' id="gmail-m_2930596977735554259gmail-m_4341963224861625032Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.png@01D611AD.382EE4A0"><img border=0 width=273 height=96 style='width:2.8437in;height:1.0in' id="gmail-m_2930596977735554259gmail-m_4341963224861625032Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image004.jpg@01D611AC.FB3A7E10"></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span style='color:#2F5496'>THE CONTENTS OF THIS ELECTRONIC MAIL ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROTECTED BY THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE OR OTHER APPLICABLE PROTECTION.</span></i></b><i><span style='color:#2F5496'> Any review, use, distribution or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. <u>If you have received this electronic mail in error</u>, <b>PLEASE NOTIFY ME BY E-MAIL, FAX OR TELEPHONE and PROMPTLY DELETE</b> this electronic mail. This mail cannot be modified without express written consent of Wolff, Hislop & Crockett, PLLC. Thank You.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><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 style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><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>Karl Flaccus<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 13, 2020 12:42 PM<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> Re: [WSBAPT] Attorney as Alternate PR?<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'>I almost never do this, but I have on rare occasions where the person is stuck, in that they don’t have family, or they don’t want to use an agency or company. I have had been appointed PR in these rare circumstances by commissioners in Seattle when starting the probate. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'>Karl</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'> </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'>F</span></i><i><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'>LACCUS</span></i><i><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'> L</span></i><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'>A</span></i><i><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'>W</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'>7010 35th Ave. N.E.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'>Seattle, Washington 98115</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'>206 523-0297</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='color:#0F243E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'>I</span></i><i><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'>nformation in this e-mail message is privileged, confidential, and intended only for the use of the recipient named. If you received this in error, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited – please notify us by telephone immediately at (206) 523-0297, and delete the original message. Thank you.</span></i><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0F243E'> </span><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 style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><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>Inge Fordham<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 13, 2020 12:31 PM<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] Attorney as Alternate PR?<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Listmates,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Client has a question as to whether an attorney may be listed as the alternate personal representative in her will. I’ve never run into this question. Off the top of my head, I don’t see a problem with it. Is there a prohibition I’m not aware of?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Thanks in advance,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=60 valign=top style='width:45.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times",serif;color:black'><img border=0 width=96 height=95 style='width:1.0in;height:.9895in' id="gmail-m_2930596977735554259gmail-m_4341963224861625032Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.png@01D611AD.382EE4A0" alt="uc%3fexport=download&id=1W3rEcChy0_E0cCfV5up02mkhwnL6eWIs&revid=0B4P5JoIHdbFaR29EbHlRWHFseFV5STZpSUVGeUNPWldkVDFVPQ"></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=570 valign=top style='width:427.25pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:3.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#203864'>Inge A. Fordham | Attorney</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:3.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:black'>Fordham Law, PLLC</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:3.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:black'>3218 Sixth Avenue | Tacoma, WA 98406</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:3.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:black'>Office: (253) 348-2657 | Mobile: (206) 778-3131</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:3.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:black'><a href="http://www.fordhamlegal.com" target="_blank">www.fordhamlegal.com</a> </span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#7D888E'>Confidential Communication:</span></b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#7D888E'> This email is sent to a recipient on behalf of an attorney/law firm, and is information intended exclusively for the individual, entity or company to which it is sent. This communication may contain proprietary, privileged or confidential information or may otherwise be legally exempt from disclosure other than to the intended recipient. If you are not the named addressee, you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or otherwise disseminate this message or any part of it. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by email or other communication and delete all copies of the message.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal>***Disclaimer: Please note that RPPT listserv participation is not restricted to practicing attorneys and may include non-practicing attorneys, law students, professionals working in related fields, and others.***<br>_______________________________________________<br>WSBAPT mailing list<br><a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><br><a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt" target="_blank">http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</a><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><p class=MsoNormal><br clear=all><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>-- <o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Laurel Brown<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><i>Attorney and Counselor at Law</i><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><i>5071 SW Waite St.</i><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><i>Seattle, WA 98116</i><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><i>425-361-6286</i><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div><p class=MsoNormal><br clear=all><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>-- <o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Laurel Brown<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><i>Attorney and Counselor at Law</i><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><i>5071 SW Waite St.</i><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><i>Seattle, WA 98116</i><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><i>425-361-6286</i><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>