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<p class="MsoNormal">We do same as Amy, and I switched from notary to Declaration for the self-proving affidavit for the same reason.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s true that the statute allows skipping the attestation clause and using only the self-proving affidavit, but it seems to create a theoretical risk: what if the self-proving affidavit becomes separated from the remainder of the will?
It must be affixed to the will to validate the will. Seems safer to have the attestation clause as part of the will right under the testator’s signature, and the self-proving affidavit as a separate page attached to the will. But the risk also depends on the
binding used. Lately I’ve seen a regrettable number of original wills held together only by a paperclip.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#467886">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></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>Lewis, Amy C.<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, March 6, 2026 11:17 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Witness Attestations and Self-Proving Affidavits<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We also have witnesses sign the Will and a separate self-proving witness declaration. During Covid we switched from a notarized affidavit to the declaration format.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">Amy Lewis, Attorney<br>
Pronouns she/her/hers<br>
<img border="0" width="211" height="68" style="width:2.1979in;height:.7083in" id="_x0000_i1027" src="cid:image003.png@01DCAD5B.93C458E0"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">909 A Street, Suite 600 | Tacoma, WA 98402<br>
phone 253.572.4500 | fax 253.272.5732 |</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#777777">
</span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:#777777"><a href="http://www.eisenhowerlaw.com/"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#C00000;text-decoration:none">www.eisenhowerlaw.com</span></a></span>
<o:p></o:p></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">
<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>Kokie Adams<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, March 6, 2026 11:14 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Witness Attestations and Self-Proving Affidavits<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#215E99">I agree with Inge – my practice is also the belt and suspenders approach.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#215E99"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2F5496">Best regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2F5496"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2F5496">Kokie Adams<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2F5496">(pronouns she/her/hers)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#4472C4"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2F5496">7127 - 196th Street S.W.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2F5496">Suite 201<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2F5496">Lynnwood, WA 98036<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2F5496">425.774.0444 (phone)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2F5496"><a href="mailto:kokie@adamslawgroupnw.com"><span style="color:#467886">kokie@adamslawgroupnw.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#2F5496"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#2F5496">CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#2F5496"> This communication is private and confidential. It is intended
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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">
<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>Inge Fordham<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, March 6, 2026 11:00 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Witness Attestations and Self-Proving Affidavits<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">I ask the witnesses to sign below the testator/trix’s signature and also have them sign the affidavit. A notary notarize the witnesses’ signatures. Belt and suspenders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#203864">Inge A. Fordham | Attorney</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:black">3218 Sixth Avenue | Tacoma, WA 98406</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:black">Office: (253) 348-2657 | Fax: (253) 276-0280</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#0563C1"><a href="http://www.fordhamlegal.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">www.fordhamlegal.com</span></a></span></u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><b><span style="color:black">From:
</span></b><span style="color:black"><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>> on behalf of Kaitlin Miller <<a href="mailto:Kaitlin@jmg-law.com">Kaitlin@jmg-law.com</a>><br>
<b>Date: </b>Friday, March 6, 2026 at 10:44</span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> </span><span style="color:black">AM<br>
<b>To: </b><a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject: </b>[WSBAPT] Witness Attestations and Self-Proving Affidavits<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message">Good morning:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message">Quick practice question under RCW 11.12.020:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message">When using a compliant self-proving affidavit, do you also include a separate witness attestation clause and witness signature lines in the will itself, or do you have the witnesses sign only the self-proving affidavit?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message">In other words, is the common practice to (1) have witnesses sign both the will and the self-proving affidavit, or (2) rely solely on the self-proving affidavit permitted by RCW 11.12.020?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message">I am more frequently seeing Last Wills which only have a self-proving affidavit and I am curious what others are doing in practice and whether anyone has encountered probate issues using affidavit-only witness
signatures.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Kaitlin Miller<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Associate Attorney<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Law Office of Jeffrey M. Grieff, P.S.<o:p></o:p></p>
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