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<p class="MsoNormal">The PR or an heir may waive the attorney–client privilege. <i>
Martin v. Shaen</i>, 22 Wn.2d 505 (1945). But I’m not sure privilege attaches anyway. Privilege protects communications between lawyers and clients for the purpose of legal advice. The will was intended to be disclosed at the decedent’s death and isn’t a communication
between client and attorney.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ethically, the duty of confidentiality continues after death. “After death, the lawyer may disclose confidential information if the client gave informed consent before death, or if the disclosure is impliedly authorized in order to carry
out the representation. For example, depending on the specific facts, disclosure of confidential client information after the client’s death to the personal representative of the client’s estate may be impliedly authorized in order that the estate will be
properly and thoroughly administered.” AO 175.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Jadrian M. Coppieters, Esq.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Phone: 206-236-1500<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Fax: 306-905-5912<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.scarfflaw.com/"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:blue;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="261" height="104" style="width:2.7187in;height:1.0833in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.gif@01D726EF.43D4FCB0"></span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></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>Sarah Duncan<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, April 1, 2021 11:45 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Release copy of Will of Deceased Client<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">Dear List mates:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">I did a Will for a client in 2019, who later changed his Will with another attorney in 2020. The most recent Will of 2020 is now under dispute and a possible will contest.
It is my understanding no probate has been commenced yet. I have been asked by legal counsel for an interested party to release a copy of the 2019 Will.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">It is my understanding that I cannot release a copy of the 2019 Will, even though it was revoked by the 2020 Will, as the PR is the only person who can waive the attorney-client
privilege, correct? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">I don’t want to present roadblocks for anyone, but I don’t want to be in breach of any duties owed to the deceased client.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">Any insight would be helpful. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">Thanks,</span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">Sarah E. Duncan</span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">ADAMS & DUNCAN, INC., P.S.</span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">3128 Colby Avenue
</span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">Everett, WA 98201</span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">Tel: (425) 339-8556</span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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