In WA does a legal heir have a right to a full accounting from the executor of where the estate's money is going?

Question

I'm a legal heir in my deceased dad’s estate that is currently going through probate in Washington State. Under Washington State law does a legal heir have any legal rights to request from the estate's executor an itimized inventory of the estate's liabilities showing who the creditors are and the amounts owed to the creditor( e.g. medical bills, attorney fees, etc) that are being paid out from the estate? In other words where the estate's money is going?  There has to be some Washington State law where an estate's executor has to show to a legal heir a detailing of where the estate's funds are being spent. If no laws exist to protect an estate from being financially taken advantage of by an executor, what recourse do I have then? Thank you

Janta Steele · Answer

Good afternoon, 
 
Yes, it is possible to request an accounting from the the executor (aka "Personal Representative") of the estate under RCW 11.68.065 if your situation meets all of the following criteria: 
 
a) you are a beneficiary with an interest in the estate;  
b) you have not signed anything saying you were fully paid your share of the estate; and 
c) at least a year has passed since the probate opened, or since the last report was delivered.  
 
The accounting should include the following listed items, plus more if the court so orders: 
 
i) A description of the amount and nature of all property, real and personal, that has come into the hands of the personal representative;  
ii) a statement of all property collected and paid out or distributed by the personal representative; 
iii) a statement of claims filed and allowed against the estate and those rejected; and 
iv) any estate, inheritance, or fiduciary income tax returns filed by the personal representative.  
 
If the personal representative has done something wrong, then you would look at RCW 11.48 regarding possible claims against the personal representative. 
 
Does that answer your question?

Q: In WA does a legal heir have a right to a full accounting from the executor of where the estate's money is going?