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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Yes, I do as well. Especially important here with the equalization provision.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>From: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com> on behalf of Heather de Vrieze <heatherd@westseattlelaw.com><br><b>Reply-To: </b>WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Date: </b>Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 2:31 PM<br><b>To: </b>WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject: </b>Re: [WSBAPT] Another Will witness affidavit scenario<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>My client would be the Personal Representative, and I advise them all (and reflect writing, specifically the TEDRA agreement if one is prepared) the right and opportunity to seek outside counsel. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Heather</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Vladimir Script";color:#1F497D'>Heather S. de Vrieze</span><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:#1F497D'><br></span></b><i><span style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D'>Attorney-at-Law</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D'><img width=189 height=105 style='width:1.9687in;height:1.0937in' id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D71A76.4AE9D320"></span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>3909 California Avenue SW</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>Seattle, WA 98116-3705 </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>(206)938-5500 </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:heatherd@westseattlelaw.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>heatherd@westseattlelaw.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.westseattlelaw.com/"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>www.westseattlelaw.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002E8A'>Click here to connect with de Vrieze | Carney on Facebook: </span><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DeVriezeCarney"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><b><span style='color:blue'><img border=0 width=72 height=21 style='width:.75in;height:.2187in' id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image002.png@01D71A76.4AE9D320" alt="FB Logo"></span></b></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#A6A6A6'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:Nyala;color:#C00000'>For the latest information regarding firm operations and precautions in light of the Coronavirus please visit our firm’s website:</span><span style='font-family:Nyala;color:red'> </span><span style='font-family:Nyala'><a href="http://www.westseattlelaw.com/"><span style='color:blue'>www.WestSeattleLaw.com</span></a><span style='color:#C00000'>.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#7030A0'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#A6A6A6'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#A6A6A6'>CONFIDENTIAL & PRIVILEGED. This e-mail message may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of this e-mail message and any attachment.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </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><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Roger Hawkes<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 16, 2021 12:56 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Another Will witness affidavit scenario<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Who do you represent in seeking admission to probate of the ‘will’ or tedra agreement? Is there any real or potential conflict?</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><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>Heather de Vrieze<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 16, 2021 12:29 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] Another Will witness affidavit scenario<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>I think if you have signed petition by all the kids (or at least consents) asking for the Will (with edits) to be admitted to probate, and the designated sibling to be appointed as Personal Representative, the Court will likely do so. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Alternatively, don’t seek admission of the Will to probate, but appointment of the Personal Representative, and get a TEDRA agreement amongst the kids to follow what the unprovable Will says. Make sure to disclose the existence of the “will” when you petition for appointment of Admin of intestate estate.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Heather</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Vladimir Script";color:#1F497D'>Heather S. de Vrieze</span><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:#1F497D'><br></span></b><i><span style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D'>Attorney-at-Law</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D'><img border=0 width=189 height=105 style='width:1.9687in;height:1.0937in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D71A76.4AE9D320"></span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>3909 California Avenue SW</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>Seattle, WA 98116-3705 </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>(206)938-5500 </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:heatherd@westseattlelaw.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>heatherd@westseattlelaw.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.westseattlelaw.com/"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'>www.westseattlelaw.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#44524E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002E8A'>Click here to connect with de Vrieze | Carney on Facebook: </span><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DeVriezeCarney"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><b><span style='color:blue'><img border=0 width=72 height=21 style='width:.75in;height:.2187in' id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.png@01D71A76.4AE9D320" alt="FB Logo"></span></b></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#A6A6A6'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:Nyala;color:#C00000'>For the latest information regarding firm operations and precautions in light of the Coronavirus please visit our firm’s website:</span><span style='font-family:Nyala;color:red'> </span><span style='font-family:Nyala'><a href="http://www.westseattlelaw.com/"><span style='color:blue'>www.WestSeattleLaw.com</span></a><span style='color:#C00000'>.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#7030A0'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#A6A6A6'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#A6A6A6'>CONFIDENTIAL & PRIVILEGED. This e-mail message may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of this e-mail message and any attachment.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </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><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>Margaret Delp<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 16, 2021 12:09 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] Another Will witness affidavit scenario<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hi Steve:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I thought about the subpoena conversation also. The family really wants to keep things as simple and quick as possible. I do think it’s a valid Will, I just can’t prove it. Do you think the Court would admit the Will with an explanation of the facts and agreement by all the beneficiaries?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>-Margaret<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>From: </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>> on behalf of Stephen Brandli <<a href="mailto:steve@brandlilaw.com">steve@brandlilaw.com</a>><br><b>Reply-To: </b>WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Date: </b>Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 11:55 AM<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] Another Will witness affidavit scenario</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>Can a petitioner ask for him/her (or someone else) to be appointed the administrator of an estate when there is a valid will?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I wonder what would happen if you threatened to subpoena the bank employees for testimony?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Steve<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> <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>Margaret Delp<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 16, 2021 11:36 AM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Another Will witness affidavit scenario<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hello everyone: I have an estate in which a “do-it-yourself” Will was signed in 2016 by the Testator and two witnesses. The Will is partially typed and partially handwritten and no page numbering. The Will does not have a witness affidavit. One month prior to death in 2021, the testator crossed out the name of the first named Personal Representative and references to property he no longer owned and he initialed and dated the corner of each page (aside – these changes are all inconsequential to distribution). We have located the witnesses who are employees of a bank. The bank’s compliance department has advised them not to sign an affidavit because of the handwritten redactions and initialing added after the original signing. I have asked if they could attest to the Will as written without the redactions and have not yet heard back. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The four beneficiaries of the Will are the same as the heirs at law (decedent’s four children). The only wrinkle is that the Will includes an equalization provision reducing one beneficiary’s share of the estate. The beneficiary/heirs will agree to proceed in whatever way I recommend. I believe they would agree to admit the Will as written, or proceed with intestacy without the equalization provision, or proceed with intestacy proceeding but implement equalization provision through a TEDRA agreement.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Should I proceed with an intestacy petition because even though the witnesses signed the Will, they now are refusing to sign an affidavit so I cannot prove the Will is valid? Would a court admit the Will with the agreement of heirs/beneficiaries and the administrator’s explanation of the reason that the witnesses refused to sign an affidavit? If I proceed with intestacy petition, should I file the purported Will and all the facts?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I appreciate your thoughts. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks,<br>Margaret<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>--</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Law Office of Margaret Delp</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Mailing Address: PO Box 292, Langley, WA 98260</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Physical location: 2815 Howard Rd., Langley, WA, Second Floor</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Phone: 360-579-4530</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Fax: 360-512-3114</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="http://www.delp-law.com">www.delp-law.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><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.*** _______________________________________________ WSBAPT mailing list <a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com">WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt">http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</a><o:p></o:p></p><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.*** _______________________________________________ WSBAPT mailing list WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>