Probate in Washington | WA Legal Resources | FastCounsel

How does title transfer for an inherited home when there is no will and multiple heirs in Washington?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Washington for guidance specific to your situation. Detailed Answer When a homeowner in Washington dies without a will (intestate) and multiple heirs exist, the title to the home transfers through the probate process under Washington’s intestate […]

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How to Apply for a Medicaid Hardship Waiver in Washington to Protect Inherited Property from Estate Recovery

Detailed Answer Under Washington law, the Health Care Authority’s Estate Recovery Program may seek reimbursement from the estate of a deceased Medicaid recipient for Medicaid costs paid on their behalf. See RCW 74.09.525 and 42 C.F.R. § 433.36 (eCFR). However, you can request a hardship waiver if estate recovery would cause undue hardship to heirs […]

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How Do I Determine Who the Intestate Heirs Are of My Father's Estate in WA?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney or the local probate court in Washington for guidance. Detailed Answer When someone dies without a valid will in Washington, the court distributes their assets under the state’s intestacy laws, found at RCW 11.04.011 through RCW 11.04.013. […]

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Can I appeal a probate court decision removing a personal representative in Washington?

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Detailed Answer In Washington, you can appeal a probate court’s order removing a personal representative (formerly called an executor or administrator) by filing a petition for review under RCW 11.96.020. This […]

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Does the Personal Representative Have to Provide a Copy of the Accounting in a Washington Probate Matter?

Detailed Answer This is not legal advice. It is intended for educational purposes only. Under Washington law, a personal representative (PR) must prepare, file, and serve accountings to interested persons in a probate estate. The key statutes are: RCW 11.44.100 – Annual accounts and statements RCW 11.44.020 – Duties of personal representative RCW 11.44.033 – […]

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What Options Exist for a Personal Representative with Limited Funds for Handling Creditor Claims in Washington?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Detailed Answer Handling creditor claims can strain a small estate’s budget. Under Washington law, a personal representative with limited funds has tools to streamline administration, reduce costs, and limit personal liability. 1. […]

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How to Manage Estate Administration When Assets Are in Multiple Washington Counties or Jurisdictions

Detailed Answer When a decedent’s assets span multiple Washington counties or other states, the estate administration process may seem complex. Washington law generally allows probate in the county where the decedent resided at death. The personal representative obtains Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from that court. Under RCW 11.28.210, these letters have full force […]

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How to distribute estate assets to heirs using a small estate affidavit process in Washington

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer Washington’s small estate affidavit process lets heirs collect certain personal property without formal probate. You can use it if the decedent’s personal property subject to creditors’ claims has a net value of $100,000 or less, after deducting liens and […]

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What options exist for selling or auctioning personal property to reimburse estate expenses and equalize distributions among heirs in Washington?

Detailed Answer Under Washington law, a personal representative (also called an executor or administrator) may sell personal property to pay estate debts and expenses, then distribute remaining proceeds to heirs. The process follows specific statutory steps to ensure transparency, fairness and compliance with court requirements. 1. Authority to Sell Personal Property RCW 11.40.070 authorizes the […]

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What procedures ensure estate expenses and creditor claims are addressed before distributing assets to heirs in Washington?

Detailed Answer When someone dies in Washington, the personal representative (PR) must follow clear procedures to ensure all estate expenses and creditor claims are resolved before heirs receive assets. Below are the core steps under Washington law: 1. Initiate Probate and Appoint a Personal Representative Under RCW 11.38.010, any interested person files a probate petition […]

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