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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">An excellent summary of the law from Eric. Very helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Phil Jones<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Philip N. Jones<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Duffy Kekel LLP<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">900 S.W. Fifth Ave. Suite 2500<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Portland, OR 97204<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:pjones@duffykekel.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">pjones@duffykekel.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">(503) 226-1371 – office<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">(503) 853-1482 – cell<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">(503) 226-3574 - fax<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Eden Rubenstein Toner<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, January 28, 2021 11:02 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv' <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Probating copy of will<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Thank you, Eric. And Jeff and Dalynne and Colby and Laurel. Your comments have provided excellent guidance and will save me a lot of time and grief. I appreciate you, and this list, so much!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Eden<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"><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>Eric Nelsen<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, January 28, 2021 10:56 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Probating copy of will<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size:12.0pt">I agree with Jeff Davis and Dalynne Singleton—it would really help if you can get any testimony from someone who witnessed the will or notarized the will, who can confirm that they recognize the
copy as true and correct of the original, and that they were present when it was executed, and they also recognize the other signatures. The two things to be proved are (1) contents of the lost Will and (2) proper execution and attestation. I have had the
drafting attorney support the copy to prove <i>contents</i>, as you did, but so far I’ve always been able to also have at least one witness or the notary who can testify concerning the process of
<i>execution and attestation</i> as well. As a last resort, if you can get someone who was personally acquainted with the witnesses and can recognize their signatures, that would be something. Anything to have some direct testimony relating to proper process
of execution and attestation of the Will. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size:12.0pt">Also, I have typically heavily emphasized the very low evidentiary standard necessary to prove that the lost Will wasn’t revoked. This is my standard briefing:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">A Will that cannot be found nevertheless may be proved "if...lost or destroyed under circumstances such that the loss or destruction does not have the effect of revoking the will." RCW 11.20.070(1). At common
law, a Will that cannot be found is presumed to have been destroyed <i>animo revocandi</i>–with intent to revoke.
<u>Estate of Bowers</u>, 132 Wn. App. 334, 341-342, 131 P.3d 916 (2006); <u>Estate of Nelson</u>, 85 Wn.2d 602, 607, 537 P.2d 765 (1975). The presumption may be rebutted and the Will deemed simply lost
<i>without</i> intent to revoke, on evidence that "need not be 'clear and distinct' and will often be largely circumstantial."
<u>Nelson</u>, 85 Wn.2d at 607. The rebutting evidence may be "evidence as to the testator's attitude of mind, as indicated by [her] declarations made between the time of executing the will and the time of [her] death . . ."
<u>Id</u>. "Recognizing that the fundamental concern is the fulfillment of the testator's intent, we have in previous cases found evidence showing that a will was in existence at the time of the death adequate, although it was far from overwhelming."
<u>Id</u>., <u>citing</u> <u>Auritt</u> (decedent's oral reaffirmations of her affection for and desire to devise to her brother, shortly before her death),
<u>Estate of Harris</u>, 10 Wn. 555, 39 P. 148 (1895) (decedent's statements two weeks prior to death that he had a valid will similar to that offered for probate).</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background:aqua;mso-highlight:aqua">Covid-19 Update -
</span></b>All attorneys are working remotely during regular business hours and are available via email and by phone. Videoconferencing also is available. Signing of estate planning documents can be completed and will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please
direct mail and deliveries to the Seattle office.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<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>Eden Rubenstein Toner<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, January 28, 2021 10:00 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA PT list <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Probating copy of will<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Colleagues: I am trying to get a copy of a Will admitted to probate. I have filed a Petition noting that it’s a copy, and Waivers and Consent to Entry of an Order Admitting the Will from all the heirs, and a Declaration from the drafting
attorney to the effect that it had not been changed and that it represented the decedent’s last wishes. The court rejected the Petition, noting that “the Will is a copy”. I have had copies admitted a few times over the past 30 years using these procedures.
I don’t know if policy has changed, or if we have some unseasoned commissioners, or what. The Will would distribute the estate differently from an intestate administration, so it is important to get the Will admitted. I’m looking for any suggestions on how
to proceed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eden<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Californian FB",serif">Eden Rubenstein Toner<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Californian FB",serif">Attorney at Law<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Californian FB",serif">Mail only: 21301 Hwy 410 E, #140<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Californian FB",serif">Bonney Lake, WA 98391<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Californian FB",serif">Phone 206-953-4485<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Californian FB",serif"><a href="http://www.edenrtoner.com">www.edenrtoner.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Californian FB",serif"> IMPORTANT: This e-mail message is intended to be confidential, only for the use of the intended recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient, or if this message has been addressed
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