<div dir="ltr">Thank you so much, Eric! Have a great weekend! <br><br>Setareh </div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Feb 11, 2022 at 4:18 PM Eric Nelsen <<a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
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<p class="MsoNormal">Briefing from a petition I did about 6-7 years ago:<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0.5in"><b><u>Proof of Execution and Contents of Lost Will</u></b>. The execution and contents of a lost Will must be proved by "clear, cogent, and convincing" evidence. RCW 11.20.070(2);
<u>Estate of Black</u>, 153 Wn.2d 152, 163, 102 P.3d 796 (2004). Execution of a Will requires that it be (a) signed by the testator, (b) attested by two or more competent witnesses, by subscribing their names to the will, or by signing an affidavit that complies
with RCW 11.20.020(2), while in the presence of the testator and at the testator's direction or request. RCW 11.12.020. Here, declarations are available from witness 1 and from the drafting attorney, who also was the Notary on the self-proving affidavit. Both
of them confirm that witness 2, the other witness, was a receptionist at the firm who routinely witnessed Will signings, and they recognize her signature on the Will and on the affidavit. A true, correct, and complete photocopy of the signed Will was maintained
in the attorney's records and is submitted here in proof of said Will. The "clear, cogent, and convincing" standard has been met as to both execution and contents of the lost Will.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">. <b><u>Original Will Lost - Rebuttal of Presumption That Will Was Revoked</u></b>. 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). Here....<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">....<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0.5in"><b><u>Notice re Proof of Lost Will</u></b>. Notice of hearing "to all interested persons" is required before the Court may take proof of the execution and validity of a lost Will. RCW 11.20.070(1). Notice has been
given and proof of service is on file with the Court.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric C. Nelsen<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1417 31st Ave South<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206-625-0092<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: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.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Setareh Mahmoodi<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, February 11, 2022 3:51 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" target="_blank">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Admitting a copy of the will to probate<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hello, <u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I have not had this issue come up in many years where PR can't find the original Will, but we have found a copy of a will. Has anyone had to deal with this issue recently and can give any pointers/ language in the petition/ etc that you
utilize to be able to use the copy of the will instead would be much appreciated. <u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you so much, <br clear="all">
<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">-- <u></u><u></u></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Best regards, </span></b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;background:white">
<b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Setareh Mahmoodi </span></b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Attorney at Law </span></b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Bothell, WA 98011</span></b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<a href="mailto:SM@LawOfficesofSM.com" target="_blank">SM@LawOfficesofSM.com</a></span></b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</a></blockquote></div><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Best regards, </span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Setareh Mahmoodi </span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Attorney at Law </span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">18222 104th Ave NE, Suite 103</span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Bothell, WA 98011</span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Phone: 425-806-1500</span></b><b><span style="font-size:10pt"><br></span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt">Fax: 425-489-4142 (Please email documents if at all possible)</span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><span style="font-size:10pt"><b>Email: SM@LawOfficesofSM.com</b></span></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><span style="font-size:10pt">Website: </span></b><span style="font-size:13.33px"><b><a href="http://www.lawofficesofsm.com/" target="_blank">http://www.lawofficesofsm.com/</a></b></span></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b><span style="font-size:10pt"><br></span></b></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><span style="font-size:10pt">CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:</span></b><span style="font-size:10pt"> This email message and any attachments is a transmission from the law firm and is intended for the </span><span style="font-size:13.33px">recipient</span><span style="font-size:10pt"> only. It may contain information that is confidential and legally protected by the attorney-client, work product and/or other privileges. If you are not the designated or intended recipient, please destroy the message without disclosing any of its contents and notify us immediately by reply email or by calling (425) 806-1500.</span></p><p style="margin:6pt 0in 0pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><span style="font-size:10pt">Pursuant to U.S. Treasury Department Regulations, we are now required to advise you that, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any federal tax advice contained in this communication, including attachments and enclosures, is not intended or written to be used, and may not be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matters addressed herein.</span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>