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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Sarah – <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> I understand Washington law to be clear that the file of a deceased client, including subsequently revoked wills are subject to the attorney client privilege. There are certain
exceptions worthy of note, see RCW 11.12.265 and RCW 11.20.010. Otherwise, only the PR can waive the privilege, although in the context or a will contest I believe the court can as well.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Since revoked wills are generally an issue in a will contest, it is pretty routine, at least in my experience, that the court will authorize their release. So much so that in
most instances the PR, with the advice of counsel, will simply stipulate to the release thereby saving the hassle and expense of going to court, where it is likely the will ends up being released. I would, however, be careful not to open up your file without
authorization. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Regards, <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>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Mark<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"">Ohana Fiduciary Corp.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"">A Washington Trust Company<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"">Mark C. Vohr, J.D., CPG, Principal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"">PO Box 33710 Seattle, WA 98133<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"">T: (206) 782-1189 F: (206) 782-1434<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calisto MT",serif"><a href="mailto:mcv@ohanafc.com"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">mcv@ohanafc.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calisto MT",serif"><a href="http://www.ohanafc.com/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">www.ohanafc.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calisto MT",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://ohanafc.sharefile.com/r-r15ff53eeb574c7a9">Click here</a> to upload files.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:8.0pt">CONFIDENTIAL AND/OR PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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conversations you may have with the sender creates an attorney client relationship with the sender. If you seek legal advice please retain an attorney, but it will be someone else.<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>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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