<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aptos;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#467886;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle20
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ligatures:none;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve proved a will copy a few times. Here’s a starting point—petition, proposed order, and notice. If you have one witness, and the attorney who took over the deceased attorney’s files can produce a copy from their file to confirm contents,
I think you are in pretty good shape. The last evidentiary hurdle, which is to show that the decedent hadn’t deliberately revoked their will and destroyed it, is probably rebuttable by the step-son’s testimony and the brother’s confirmation that he doesn’t
contest. There’s legal briefing in the petition. Feel free to call if you want to discuss.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#467886">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">From:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Anna Van Pelt<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, August 27, 2024 1:43 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] How to remedy a lost will<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have my first probate involving a lost original will. All we have is the “client’s copy,” which unfortunately does not have actual signatures but rather “s/[NAME]” for each signature. One of the signing witnesses has passed away, but
I have located the other witness. Preparing attorney is also deceased, and the attorney who took over his files does not have the original. Prior to passing, decedent showed his step-son the client’s copy of his will and told him probate would be easy (ha!)
because he left everything to his step-son. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I don’t think proceeding intestate works because the decedent named his step-son as the sole heir, but does have a surviving brother (who would inherit under RCW 11.04.015). The brother supports naming the step-son as PR and for the step-son
to inherit everything. The brother will sign a waiver of notice and anything else that supports the step-son being able to inherit. Alternatively, if brother disclaimed his interest, could step-son inherit under RCW 11.04.095? Has anyone had success with this
argument? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Back to the client’s copy of the will -- has anyone had success getting a “client’s copy” admitted in place of a lost will? If someone is willing to share their petition, order, and any supporting documents, I would deeply appreciate it.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jx is King County.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks,<br>
Anna<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Van Pelt Law <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">(206) 635-7250<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><a href="http://www.vanpeltlegal.com/"><span style="color:blue">www.vanpeltlegal.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Pronouns: She/Her<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt">CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: </span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><br>
</span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt">This communication (including any attachments) is confidential and may contain legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient or believe that you may have received this communication in error,
please delete this communication from your computer and do not retransmit, copy, print or otherwise disseminate this communication.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt">ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP:<br>
</span></i></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">This e-mail does not in any way intend to provide legal advice to be relied upon by any recipient and does not create any duty or obligation for legal representation on behalf of the sender Van Pelt Law & Mediation
PLLC on behalf of the recipient of this e-mail without a written engagement agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>