Can I use an obituary as proof of death to open an estate in WA?
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Washington probate law and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Detailed Answer In Washington, to open an estate you must file a probate petition in superior court and submit proof of the decedent’s death. Under RCW 11.20.010, the personal […]
Read article →How Do I Prepare an Affidavit of Heirship in Washington?
Disclaimer This blog article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for advice tailored to your situation. Detailed Answer An affidavit of heirship is a sworn statement listing a decedent’s heirs and describing property to transfer. In Washington, you typically use a small estate affidavit for personal […]
Read article →Can I elect to receive a life estate instead of an intestate share in Washington?
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Detailed Answer In Washington, intestate succession is governed by Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 11.04. When someone dies without a will, their property passes by statute, not by election. A surviving […]
Read article →How does an executor obtain an EIN for an estate in Washington?
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney in Washington for guidance specific to your situation. Detailed Answer Under Washington law, the personal representative (executor) has authority to manage estate assets, including obtaining a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). RCW 11.36.010 grants the executor power […]
Read article →What is the difference between common and solemn form probate in Washington (WA)?
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer Washington law does not use the terms “common form probate” or “solemn form probate.” Instead, probate in Washington follows either independent administration (unsupervised) or supervised administration. These two models offer different levels of court involvement and procedural requirements under RCW […]
Read article →Washington: Do I Have to List Personal Property Assets When Completing a Year’s Allowance in an Estate?
Washington: Do I Have to List Personal Property Assets When Completing a Year’s Allowance in an Estate? Detailed Answer Under Washington law, a surviving spouse (and in some cases minor children) may claim a “year’s allowance” for support out of the deceased person’s estate. The year’s allowance provides cash or specific property from the estate […]
Read article →How to Determine Which Tasks Are Covered Under an Initial Probate Representation Agreement in WA
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer Understanding the Scope of an Initial Probate Representation Agreement In Washington, a probate representation agreement sets forth the duties an attorney will perform when you begin the estate administration process. The agreement should clearly define what “initial representation” covers […]
Read article →May I Petition a Court to Remove an Estate Administrator Who Refuses to Fulfill Their Duties under Washington Law?
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer In Washington, an estate administrator (also called a personal representative) must manage the decedent’s assets, pay debts, and distribute property to heirs. When an administrator refuses or neglects these duties, interested parties may ask the court to remove […]
Read article →Do I need to open an estate to pursue a wrongful death involving a car accident in Washington?
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for advice tailored to your situation. Detailed Answer Under Washington law, only the decedent’s personal representative may file a wrongful death lawsuit. See RCW 4.20.020. To obtain that status, you generally must open a probate estate and […]
Read article →How do I distribute wrongful death proceeds to rightful heirs in Washington?
Detailed Answer This section explains how Washington law governs distribution of wrongful death recovery and lists the steps to ensure proceeds reach the rightful heirs. Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim? Under RCW 4.20.020 (4.20.020), the following persons may bring a wrongful death action: Surviving spouse. Children or issue of the deceased’s children. If […]
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