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<p class="MsoNormal">This is a recurring theme in my probate practice. As a practical matter, someone goes to court with a motion to resolve the issues that you raise. In my experience, a judge or commissioner will open the file to the parties but not always.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">FWIW, here is the authority commonly argued:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RPC 1.6 applies to both "confidences" and "secrets." Much broader than mere legal advice.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">See Seventh Elect Church v. Rogers, 102 Wn.2d 527 (1984). See WSBA Opinions 183 and 188.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The survival issue is at WSBA Opinion 175 (1982) and the Martin v Shaen and the In re Thomas Estate cases cited.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">True, that the paper files are personal property subject to inheritance, but what happens to the restricted information depends upon the lawyer involved and how they may perceive the issue. A difficult issue, inconsistent outcomes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> -Bruce Moen<o:p></o:p></p>
<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>Philip N. Jones<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, June 2, 2021 4:49 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Attorney-Client privilege lives after death of client with exceptions<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I don’t have an exact cite, but I believe that the answer to your last question is in the rules of evidence.<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">pjones@duffykekel.com</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> <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>Dalynne Singleton<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, June 2, 2021 4:37 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> [WSBAPT] Attorney-Client privilege lives after death of client with exceptions<br>
<b>Importance:</b> High<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">I have been researching this issue and have not found a definitive answer. I need some help or guidance please:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black">Even after your death, your lawyer may not share your communications due to attorney-client privilege. The client owns the privilege and it dies with him/her.</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black">But there is an exception to the attorney-client privilege rules. Your lawyer can reveal communications to the extent necessary to carry out your estate plan such as the lawyer can explain how your will (or trust)
was signed, or what you meant by some provisions.</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;background:white">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black">Your lawyer’s files belong to you. Those files are property which passes in accordance with your estate plan.
</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;background:white"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black">Issues:</span></b><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:.5in;background:white">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black">What happens when the physical files when they include confidential communications?
</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:.5in;background:white">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black">Who gets to decide whether to reveal the contents of those files?</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black"> Where is the authority for the privilege exception for estate plan?</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Dalynne Singleton</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Gourley Law Group</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Snohomish Escrow</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">The Exchange Connection</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">1002 10<sup>th</sup> Street / PO Box 1091</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Snohomish, WA 98291</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">360.568.5065</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">360.568.8092 fax</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1"><a href="mailto:dalynne@glgmail.com" target="_blank">dalynne@glgmail.com</a></span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1">Website:
<a href="http://www.glglawgroup.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">www.glglawgroup.com</span></a></span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">As we face the challenges presented by COVID-19, we have limited staffing in the office to maintain critical functions.
Attorney/client meetings will be handled by teleconference or virtually whenever possible. Be assured that we will continue to advise & support our clients throughout this health emergency. If you would like to set a telephone conference, please call or
email my paralegal <a href="mailto:theresa@glgmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">theresa@glgmail.com</span></a> or
<a href="mailto:dara@glgmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">dara@glgmail.com</span></a>. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">IMPORTANT/CONFIDENTIAL: This e-mail message (and any attachments accompanying it) may contain confidential
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please promptly notify the sender by reply e-mail, and then destroy all copies of the message and its attachments, if any.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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