Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Probate legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Washington Probate Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Washington on
Q: I am Prep. for my father's estate and I am selling home, I sign my name instead of his on contract is it legally binding

House is in washington state

Janta Steele
Janta Steele
answered on Sep 9, 2024

Good afternoon,

Is it a mobile home? Is there land being sold? What does "Prep." stand for?

You need to start a probate and be appointed by the court to get the authority to sign your name instead of your deceased father's name on a contract to sell his land. If it...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Washington on
Q: In WA State what information does the trustee have to legally disclose to a legal heir on their dad's trust account?

I'm a legal heir in my dad's will. The trustee overseeing his trust account won't provide me with any information on my dad's trust as far as the contents, terms, bank and investments accounts, property and any creditors that have been paid out of my dad's trust account. Thank you

Janta Steele
Janta Steele
answered on Sep 6, 2024

Hello,

RCW 11.98.072 says that a trustee is required to keep beneficiaries of a trust reasonably informed about the administration of the trust. Have you received a copy of the entire trust document yet? Have you sent your request for information to the trustee by letter or email? If so, I...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Washington on
Q: I would like the process of filing an Ancillary Probate/TERDA in Washington State and possible scenarios.

I am trying to find out what COULD happen if I file in Washington. Thank you for your time.

Janta Steele
Janta Steele
answered on Sep 6, 2024

Good morning!

An ancillary probate in Washington is usually needed if the deceased lived in another state and owned property in his or her name in Washington state. A TEDRA action allows you enforce your rights when it comes to a Washington trust, estate, or probate.

Can you...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Washington on
Q: If the (non-lawyer) executor of an estate seems not to be doing enough to complete his duties, what can the heirs do?

My wife is one of six siblings who are heirs to their mother's estate. One of the siblings is the executor. The inventory of assets filed 2 years ago, shows it's worth around $2 million, consisting of a house worth around $1 million and about the same value in cash, in one or more bank... View More

Janta Steele
Janta Steele
answered on Sep 6, 2024

Unfortunately, this sounds like a situation where the other heirs would significantly benefit from hiring a lawyer. Under RCW 11.68.065, the heirs can ask the court to order the executor to provide a report of the affairs of the estate. Anybody living in a residence owned by an estate needs to pay... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Washington on
Q: If my mother is named on the deed and was not married to my currently deceased father, can my siblings fight the sale?

My father and mother were never married. My grandparents transferred the deed to the house to both of them. My father passed before 2000 with no Will in the PR. My parents had split, and my father had other children. My mother is finally going to sell the house. We know about the inheritance law... View More

Janta Steele
Janta Steele
answered on Sep 9, 2024

No, that is not accurate. If someone other than your mother could inherit money from the sale of the house, then the house cannot be sold by your mother alone, and there has to be a probate to sell it. However it's still possible that only your mother inherits the house, and nobody else.... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Washington on
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?

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... View More

Janta Steele
Janta Steele
answered on May 1, 2024

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)...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Real Estate Law for Washington on
Q: How can a widow own property not on deed but on loan . Pays taxes without probate? Do they own 50percent automatically?

The widow pays the loan and taxes no will or trust .

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 1, 2024

If a widow is not listed on the property deed but is paying the loan and property taxes, her ownership rights may not automatically be 50 percent. Ownership of real property is typically determined by the names listed on the property deed. Paying the loan and taxes alone does not necessarily grant... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Landlord - Tenant for Washington on
Q: I have a lease and the house is being sold during probate so I was given 90 days to leave. Why do I have to leave ?

Can I be compensated since I have a lease

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 16, 2023

In Washington state, when a house is being sold during probate, the executor of the estate is generally required to give tenants 90 days to vacate the premises. This is because the executor is responsible for selling the property at the highest possible price, and it is difficult to do this if the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Washington on
Q: Why is the bank refusing to allow me to open an estate account for my mother?

My mother died in oregon and left a will assigning me as executor. I took the original will, the death certificate and the small claims affidavit to the multnomah county court house, paid the fee of 149.00 and paid extra for 5 certified copies.

They kept the original will and sent me the 5... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 13, 2023

In Washington, the process of opening an estate account typically requires specific documentation that proves your authority as the executor or personal representative of the estate. While you filed the small claims affidavit and obtained certified copies of the documents, the bank is specifically... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Washington on
Q: How long do I keep paperwork from parental estates (Colo.)? I was not executor for either.

Both parents passed over 30 years ago. I have been moving the files ever since. Is it ok to shred them now?

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 24, 2023

In Washington, the general rule for retaining paperwork from parental estates, even if you were not the executor, is to keep them for a minimum of seven years. This period allows for the resolution of any potential legal or financial issues related to the estate. However, given that it has been... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Washington on
Q: My brother is personal representative of mom's estate. He is asking to get paid $80 dollars per hour.

To be paid for repairs and as executor. That seems over the top? This is in Clark County Washington. He over drew the estate account and reimbursed himself.

Keith Armstrong
PREMIUM
Keith Armstrong
answered on Oct 1, 2023

Your brother may be overstepping his bounds with an $80/hour rate for probate administration. The rate is not set by statute but RCW RCW 11.48.210 provides just and reasonable." If the estate probate is not complex or if your brother is not providing professional services such as legal,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Washington on
Q: When considering the name of an "estate" during probate or on IRS forms - is the name the address of the property itself

IRS form 56 requires two forms to be filed - one with the name of the descendent and another with the name of the estate. Do I list the name of the "estate" as the property address itself?

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 28, 2023

When considering the name of an "estate" during probate or on IRS forms, it is generally not the address of the property itself. On IRS Form 56, you would typically list the name of the decedent for one form and the name of the estate as something like "Estate of [Decedent's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Washington on
Q: When a person passes and there is a will shouldn't all parties be notified? And if there not what do you do?

IT's been a year and a half since the passing and she is now being asked to sign papers to sell property by family members with no reason

given for her to have to sign. A will perhaps she was not made aware of???

Brent Bowden
Brent Bowden
answered on Aug 31, 2023

The heirs should be notified when a probate is opened. However, it is not always the case that someone opens a probate. If no probate was opened and nobody was appointed Personal Representative, there would be nothing to give notice of.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Washington on
Q: When someone passes away and an executor is assigned to the estate. Can a beneficiary just give himself an assignment

Does the beneficiary need an assignee?

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 18, 2023

When someone passes away and an executor is assigned to handle the estate, it's important to follow the proper legal procedures in Washington. As a beneficiary, you can't simply assign assets to yourself without going through the appropriate channels.

The executor is responsible...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Washington on
Q: What constitutes a insolvent estate? My father passed away leaving his property to with a attached mortgage.

He also left a life insurance to me that was to go to pay off mortgage. The Life insurance claim was denied. He has a large amount of money in bank acct he left to another family member. Can that money be used to help payoff mortgage?

Brent Bowden
Brent Bowden
answered on May 4, 2023

An insolvent estate is an estate where the debts exceed the assets. In other words, the estate is not going to have the ability to pay all of its creditors.

The question of whether money left to a specific beneficiary can be used to pay the debts of the estate (like the mortgage) is...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Washington on
Q: The executor of an estate is stating that the beneficiary of an annuity is not who it states on the annuity what can Ido
Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 4, 2023

The named beneficiary of the annuity death benefit needs to make a claim with the insurance co. directly. Usually annuities are not estate assets but an estate fiduciary will administer them as additional duties since they have letters. If no results quickly,then sue the ins. co. for the money... View More

2 Answers | Asked in International Law and Probate for Washington on
Q: My mother lives in Sydney, AU with my brother but is also a legal resident of WA state. We need to file a will. How?

She lives in Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Is a US citizen and has a home in Mill Creek, WA.

Need a will.

How to file? Foreign will and file in WA or have WA will and will a JP suffice as a notary?

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 5, 2023

To create a valid will for your mother, you will need to follow the laws of both Australia and the state of Washington.

First, your mother should consult with an attorney in Australia to create a will that complies with Australian laws. This will ensure that her assets in Australia are...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in International Law and Probate for Washington on
Q: My mother lives in Sydney, AU with my brother but is also a legal resident of WA state. We need to file a will. How?

She lives in Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Is a US citizen and has a home in Mill Creek, WA.

Need a will.

How to file? Foreign will and file in WA or have WA will and will a JP suffice as a notary?

Keith Armstrong
PREMIUM
Keith Armstrong
answered on May 1, 2023

Your mother can file her Last Will & Testament in Washington State under RCW CW 11.12.265 prior to her death. The cost is $20. Your mother or proper attorney-in-fact or guardian can withdraw that Will anytime with proper identification. Having it witnessed with two persons makes it legal,... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Washington on
Q: If I add my life partner to the title of my house and I die, will the house go directly to him without probate?

Also, will the house be assessed at the time of my death so he won’t have to pay capital gains taxes, if he sells it?

Renee Louise Roman
PREMIUM
Renee Louise Roman pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 31, 2022

The answer to your first question is yes, but ONLY IF the proper deed is executed and recorded. There are several types of deeds in Washington, so please consult an attorney who can explain the differences, so you can decide what is best for you and your partner.

The answer to the second...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Probate for Washington on
Q: Do I need to file probate… Mom passed in July, old will in her papers. Attorney no longer around, what do I need to do?

Mom passed 2 mos ago, found 25+year old will in her papers. Attorney no longer around, what do I do? I’m not sure if she had possessions in her name but looking to find the next steps. We live in King County.

Janta Steele
Janta Steele
answered on Sep 10, 2024

First, I'm so sorry for your loss.

A probate is necessary in Washington state if your mom owned land or if what she owned when she passed is worth more than 100,000.

I assist clients with probates from across Washington state, and I would be happy to offer a free 30-minute...
View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.