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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">You could appoint a GAL under RCW 11.96A.160 to represent the interests of a person whose address is unknown.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">-Marcus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Robin Swanson<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, February 2, 2026 10:53 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Probate: Locating Missing Heir<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">* NOTICE: EXTERNAL EMAIL *</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Dear Listmates, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>I’m working on a King County, Washington probate matter in which the personal representative was a close friend and caregiver of the deceased. The PR is the sole beneficiary under the decedent’s properly executed will. There is an heir under intestate succession
who is not listed in the will. We know the heir’s name but do not have a current address. The PR has already contacted the other heir’s brother, who states that his sister’s address has not been known to him for over 20 years.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>I plan to search public records, online databases/social media, and any available government sources.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>What do Washington courts in King County generally consider “reasonable efforts” for a personal representative to locate an heir in this situation? Are there best practices for documenting diligence before filing a petition for alternative notice or requesting
appointment of an absentee distributee agent under RCW 11.76.200‑.230?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Thank you for any guidance or examples from your experience.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:#222222">Robin Swanson <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:#222222">Secure Legal Legacy, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:#222222">**NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments hereto, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient(s), any unauthorized review, use, copying, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient(s), please contact the sender by reply e-mail immediately and destroy the
original and all copies (including electronic versions) of this message and any of its attachments.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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