<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">I regularly open probates in Spokane County, where I can file, walk down to ex parte and present my Order, then go back to the Clerk’s office and obtain Letters within the space of an hour. <div><br></div><div>I appreciate being there in open court to answer any questions the Commissioner might have or if there is an error in the Order, then it can often be corrected on the spot rather than have those documents sent back in the mail and have the whole process delayed for a week or more. I had a matter to open in King County last year that they kicked out of the system because of a typo, then we I re-submitted a corrected Order they just sent that back too without explanation. It took two weeks to get sorted out when here in Spokane I could have been done the same day.</div><div><br></div><div>Also, with regard to publishing Notice to Creditors when you open probate in a county other than that of the decedent’s residence, the Notice should be published where the decedent resided per RCW 11.40.020 (2) which states:</div><div><span style="text-indent: 0.5in; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; orphans: 2; widows: 2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></div><div><span style="text-indent: 0.5in; orphans: 2; widows: 2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Open Sans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="3">If the decedent was a resident of the state of Washington at the time of death and probate proceedings are commenced in a county other than the county of the decedent's residence, then instead of the requirements under subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section, the personal representative shall cause the notice to creditors in substantially the form set forth in RCW</font></span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; orphans: 2; widows: 2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.40.030" class="ui-link" style="text-indent: 0.5in; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; orphans: 2; widows: 2; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(43, 103, 77); font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">11.40.030</a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; orphans: 2; widows: 2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> to be published once each week for three successive weeks in a legal newspaper <b>in the county of the decedent's residence</b> and shall file the notice with the superior court of the county in which the probate proceedings were commenced.</span></div><div><div><br><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; line-height: normal; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div><font face="Lucida Calligraphy"><i><br></i></font></div><div><font face="Lucida Calligraphy"><i>Amy J. Goertz, J.D.</i></font></div><div><font face="Lucida Calligraphy"><i>Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC</i></font></div><div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><a href="mailto:amyjgoertz@icloud.com">amyjgoertz@icloud.com</a> </div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><br></div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">1.888.926.2607 phone<br>1.877.684.1627 fax<br><br></div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">Address for correspondence:</div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">2829 S. Grand Blvd., Suite 303<br>Spokane, WA 99203 </div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><br></div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">Additional office locations:</div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">510 Bell Street<br>Edmonds, WA 98020</div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><br></div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC</div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><a href="http://www.goertzlambrecht.com/">www.goertzlambrecht.com</a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; line-height: normal;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;">
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<div><br><blockquote type="cite"><div>On Dec 27, 2023, at 5:09 PM, Diane J. Kiepe <DJKiepe@depdslaw.com> wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div><meta charset="UTF-8"><div class="WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Just a reminder that a probate can be opened in any county under the RCWs. Spokane is still walk in and walk out in most instances – sometimes 2 days and getting more busy. That being said, I have opened probates for residence in other counties here and just add language to my petition that shows the court the basis for its authority and note where the decedent died. Then, my notice to creditors is filed in the location where real property exists. So, for example, I have a Spokane case now where we filed the notice in King County.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "Script MT Bold";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "Script MT Bold";">Diane J. Kiepe<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Douglas Eden, P.S.<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">717 W. Sprague Ave., Suite 1500<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Spokane, WA 99201<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:djkiepe@depdslaw.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">djkiepe@depdslaw.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">509-455-5300<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">KINDLY ALLOW 2-4 WORKING DAYS TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE TO NON-URGENT EMAILS. FEEL FREE TO SEND YOUR EMAIL (OR RESEND YOUR EMAIL AS THE CASE MAY BE) MARKED URGENT IN THE SUBJECT LINE.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">DISCLAIMER: the preceding message and any attachments may contain confidential information protected by law, the attorney-client privilege or other privilege. This communication is intended to be private and may not be recorded or copied without the consent of the author. If you believe this message has been sent in error, REPLY to sender and then DELETE this message. Thank you. </span><o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div><div style="border-width: 1pt medium medium; border-style: solid none none; border-color: rgb(225, 225, 225) currentcolor currentcolor; border-image: none; padding: 3pt 0in 0in;"><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>From:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>On Behalf Of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>Shannon Jones<br><b>Sent:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Tuesday, December 26, 2023 10:32 AM<br><b>To:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Re: [WSBAPT] Ex Parte in King County<o:p></o:p></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I open probates which do not require a hearing in Pierce County completely online. Open the case by filing your petition online thru LINX, then mail original Will to clerk for filing with the new case cause number. As soon as Will is filed, submit your order “exparte through the clerk” for a nominal fee and you’ll have the order electronically signed and emailed to you usually the very same day. Then you can purchase Letters online that are mailed to you by the clerk - Shannon<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="border-width: 1pt medium medium; border-style: solid none none; border-color: rgb(225, 225, 225) currentcolor currentcolor; border-image: none; padding: 3pt 0in 0in;"><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>From:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>On Behalf Of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>Brent Williams-Ruth<br><b>Sent:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Tuesday, December 26, 2023 10:24 AM<br><b>To:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[WSBAPT] Ex Parte in King County<o:p></o:p></div></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Greetings List members who practice in King County - <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I just discovered that there is NO MORE option for a drop-in probate opening. The only way you get in front of a commissioner is through Ex Parte Via the Clerk OR with a scheduled hearing. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Prior to COVID, I would just drop into the Courthouse to open probates, walk out with a signed order and Letters Testamentary. No more. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">ALSO - the cut-off deadline for expedited is 3:30 p.m. Also to know about the expedited offerings, that is just the promise from the Clerk's office that they will take it to a Commissioner/Judge but no guarantee that it will actually be seen that day or the next. Current record for an "expedited" case was five court days before the letters and signed order showed up in my inbox. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Considering that opening a probate in King County, with expedited and getting two letters is now more than $300 - I am curious if Pierce County allows for drop-in ex parte openings. I am more than happy to take my money to another county. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div><div><div><div><p><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Brent Williams-Ruth</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> (pronouns: he/him)<br><i>Attorney-At-Law</i></span><o:p></o:p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth, </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">a division of BWR Consulting, PLLC</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Physical Address: 500 S 336th Street, Suite 214; Federal Way, WA 98003</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; color: red;">**EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY**</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>All mail sent through the USPS should be sent to the following address: PO BOX 3319; Federal Way, WA 98063 </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Office/Scheduling Phone:<span style="color: rgb(0, 64, 128);"> </span><span style="color: red;">(253) 285-7751</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Direct:<span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(253) 285-7453</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="mailto:Brent@Williams-RuthLaw.com" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">e-mail</a> / <a href="http://www.williams-ruthlaw.com/" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">website</a> /</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/bwrlaw" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">facebook</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> / </span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;">***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.***</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); 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text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;">WSBAPT mailing list</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><a href="mailto:WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">WSBAPT@lists.wsbarppt.com</a><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbapt</a></div></blockquote></div><br></div></body></html>