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<p class="MsoNormal">Notarization is of the witnesses’ signatures, rather than the testator. If the will has an attestation signed by the two witnesses but they didn’t sign an actual notarized affidavit formalizing their testimony, then you might need to track
down one or both witnesses and have them sign an affidavit.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">See <a href="https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=11.20&full=true#11.20.020">
RCW 11.20.020</a> et seq.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<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>
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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;mso-ligatures:none">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Timothy Lehr<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 30, 2026 10:38 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Notarized Will required to admit to probate vs valid Will<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have what is likely a dumb question, but have not came across this before. PC filed a Petition to admit decedent’s Will and open probate, pro se. The Will was signed by two witnesses but not notarized. The court denied the petition and
stated that the Will needs to be notarized and cannot be admitted. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My office always notarizes our Wills but I did not think that was required to admit a Will to probate. My research found that a Will does not need to be notarized to be a valid Will under RCW 11.12.020, but a notarized Will creates a self-proving
Will. Does a Will need to be notarized to admit to probate or if not notarized, are there additional requirements to admit the un-notarized Will to probate?
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Timothy C. Lehr<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Attorney & Partner<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><img border="0" width="191" height="69" style="width:1.9895in;height:.7187in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DD50C8.F392FA40"></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">p: 360.855.0131<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">e: <a href="mailto:timothy@stileslaw.com">
timothy@stileslaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">w: <a href="http://www.stileslaw.com/">
www.stileslaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Please Note:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"> Our office closes at 12pm on Fridays. If I receive your email after that time, I will respond as soon as possible
the following Monday. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">NOTICE</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">: The information contained in this email is proprietary and/or confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the
intended recipient of this communication, you are hereby notified to : (i) delete the email and all copies; (ii) not disclose, distribute or use the email in any manner; (iii) notify the sender immediately. Thank you.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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