{"id":377136,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:16","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/washington-law\/washington-probate-laws.html"},"modified":"2021-04-02T06:57:40","modified_gmt":"2021-04-02T11:57:40","slug":"washington-probate-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/washington-law\/washington-probate-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington Probate Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Washington Probate Laws<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    <p><i>Created by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw&#8217;s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n                | Last reviewed\n        <time>\n                            April 02, 2021\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>Probate is the legal process through which property and other assets pass from you (the &quot;<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/decedent.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">decedent<\/a>&quot;) to your beneficiaries after you die. In Washington, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate.html\">probate<\/a> laws do not always require a probate proceeding to be filed following death, regardless of whether the decedent died with or without a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/wills.html\">valid will<\/a>. It&#8217;s basically a discretionary proceeding, typically because someone wants it to be filed, not because the law requires it.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Reasons for Probate<\/h2>\r\n<p>If the decedent died in with any of the following you may need to file a probate proceeding:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><div>Any real property titled in his or her own name, or<\/div>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><div>Personal property (usually a cash or securities account) titled in his or her own name only whose value exceeds $100,000.<\/div>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Probate Process<\/h2>\r\n<p>If the case is going through a formal probate process, the court will appoint someone to handle the administration of estate, i.e. a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/\">Personal Representative<\/a> . Many times the decedent will already have named the personal representative in his or her will. If not, the court or clerk of the court will appoint someone.<\/p>\r\n<p>He or she must:<\/p>\r\n<p>1) Assemble all the decedents assets;<\/p>\r\n<p>2) Pay the bills (Funeral Expenses, Creditors, Taxes, and general administration expenses);<\/p>\r\n<p>3) Distribute Any Assets that Are Left Over.<\/p>\r\n<h2>File the Will<\/h2>\r\n<p>Washington state law does require a resident&#8217;s valid will to be filed promptly following death. This must happen regardless of whether or not the decedent&#8217;s estate will be probated. The will should be filed with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.courts.wa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clerk&#8217;s Office of the Superior Court<\/a> in the decedent&#8217;s resident county at death, generally within 40 days of decedent&#8217;s death.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Other Types of Estate Administration<\/h2>\r\n<p>The process of administering the estate will vary depending on whether or not the decedent had a valid will and the type of probate administration the decedents estate will have to go through. In Washington, if a decedents estate is small enough, the law allows you to skip probate altogether and use a simplified process. Otherwise, you&#8217;ll need to go through a formal probate process in court.<\/p>\r\n<p>See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/probate-courts-laws.html\">Probate Court<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/state-probate-courts.html\">State Probate Courts<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/avoiding-probate.html\">Avoiding Probate<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/planning-an-estate\/estate-tax-laws.html\">Estate Taxes<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\r\n<table border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"7\">\r\n<tbody><tr><td><b>Code Section<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/apps.leg.wa.gov\/rcw\/default.aspx?Cite=11\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Title 11 RCW<\/a> et. seq.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>Types of Probate Administration<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><p>1) Formal Probate<\/p>\r\n<p>2) Small Estate: Can&#8217;t use this process if:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>For non-residents owning property within in the state<\/li>\r\n<li>If a Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction<\/li>\r\n<li>For a Decedent who died insolvent (i.e., having more debts than assets)<\/li>\r\n<li>In the first 40 days after death<\/li>\r\n<li>By a person who is not a &quot;successor&quot; of the Decedent<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>What Assets Go Through Probate?<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><p>Probate may be necessary when a person dies leaving property in his or her own name (such as a house titled only in the name of the decedent) or having rights to receive property. Also if the estate is worth over $100,000.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>What Assets Skip Probate Entirely<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><ul>\r\n<li>Property in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/trusts\/types-of-trusts.html\">Revocable Trust<\/a>,<\/li>\r\n<li>Real Estate Owned as <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/joint-tenancy-with-rights-of-survivorship-.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Joint Tenants with a Right of Survivorship<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/tenants-by-the-entirety.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tenancy By the Entirety<\/a>,<\/li>\r\n<li>Life Insurance Policies and Retirement Accounts with a Designated <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/beneficiary.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Beneficiary<\/a>,<\/li>\r\n<li>Bank Accounts with Payable on Death (POD) or Transfer on Death (TOD) clause<\/li>\r\n<li>Transfer on Death Deed (Effective June 2014). Your real estate avoids probate and transfers to a beneficiary upon your death. The beneficiary will not have any rights to your property while you are alive, but upon death the property will transfer to your beneficiary<\/li>\r\n<li>Subject to a <a href=\"http:\/\/apps.leg.wa.gov\/rcw\/default.aspx?cite=26.16.030\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Community Property Agreement<\/a> between Decedent and his\/her surviving spouse<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>Estate Taxes<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td>Yes, Washington has an estate tax.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>Where to Order Death Certificates<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.doh.wa.gov\/LicensesPermitsandCertificates\/BirthDeathMarriageandDivorce.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Washington State Department of Health<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<p>Washington probate laws can be tricky. Please consider contacting a local <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/probate-estate-administration\/washington\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">probate lawyer<\/a> who can help you better understand the current rules and procedures.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" 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href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/elder-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Elder Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/trusts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trusts Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/estate-planning\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Estate Planning Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Probate is the legal process through which property and other assets pass from you (the &#8220;decedent&#8221;) to your beneficiaries after you die. In Washington, the probate laws do not always require a probate proceeding to be filed following death, regardless of whether the decedent died with or without a valid will. It&#8217;s basically a discretionary proceeding, typically because someone wants it to be filed, not because the law requires it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":377028,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2743],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[3524],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-377136","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-state","state_laws_tags-statelaws_48_10"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/377136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=377136"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/377136\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/377028"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=377136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=377136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=377136"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=377136"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=377136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}