Washington — How to Compel a Spouse to Sell a House and Distribute Proceeds
Can I force a surviving spouse to sell the house and distribute the proceeds under Washington law? Short answer: Possibly — but the answer depends on how the house is titled, whether the will gives the executor a power to sell, and whether the surviving spouse has statutory protections (homestead, family allowance, or ownership rights). […]
Read article →Recovering a Cash Bequest in Washington: Steps When an Executor Won't Cooperate
How a Beneficiary Can Enforce a Cash Bequest in Washington When the Personal Representative Is Unresponsive This FAQ-style article explains practical steps a beneficiary can take under Washington law to recover a cash gift left in a will when the personal representative (executor) will not cooperate. This is educational information only and not legal advice. […]
Read article →How to File a Notice to Creditors in Washington
Filing a Notice to Creditors in Washington: What You Need to Know Short answer: When someone dies and a personal representative (executor or administrator) is appointed or is handling the estate, Washington law requires that creditors be notified so they can present claims against the estate. The personal representative must prepare a Notice to Creditors, […]
Read article →Washington: Why an Inherited House May Be Outside Probate and Whether You Can Pay the Mortgage to Prevent Foreclosure
Detailed answer — How a house can skip probate in Washington and whether you can make mortgage payments without the administrator Short answer: A house may not be a probate asset in Washington if it passed automatically at death (for example, by joint tenancy, a transfer-on-death deed, trust ownership, or beneficiary designation). Whoever receives the […]
Read article →Washington — Challenging a Sibling’s Use of a Deceased Parent’s Bank Account Before an Administrator Is Appointed
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Washington, money in an account titled solely in a deceased parent’s name generally becomes estate property upon death. Until a court appoints a personal representative (administrator/executor) or another legal mechanism applies, only certain authorized people or court orders may legally use those funds. If a sibling withdraws or uses those […]
Read article →Enforcing or Disputing an Oral Agreement for Division of Wrongful-Death Proceeds in Washington
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Washington, whether an oral agreement splitting wrongful-death proceeds is enforceable depends on who had authority to settle or distribute the claim, whether the agreement is proven by clear evidence, and whether the agreement conflicts with statutory distribution rules that govern wrongful-death recoveries. If someone later challenges the oral deal, the […]
Read article →Serving as Administrator of an Intestate Estate in Washington
Disclaimer: This is general information only and is not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Washington attorney. Detailed answer — How to be appointed to administer a Washington estate when the decedent died without a will If your parent died without a will (intestate) in […]
Read article →Washington Probate: Bonds for Administrators (Intestate) — What You Need to Know
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Washington, courts generally require a bond from a personal representative (the person appointed to administer an estate when there is no will). The court can waive that bond if the law or the court allows it — for example, if all interested persons (heirs) knowingly and voluntarily consent and the […]
Read article →Selling an Estate Home in Washington When a Co-Administrator Refuses to Sign
Can the estate sell a house if a co-administrator refuses to sign? Short answer: Yes—under Washington law the probate court can authorize a sale of estate real property even if a co-administrator will not sign. You normally start by confirming authority in the letters of appointment, then file a petition with the probate court asking […]
Read article →Releasing Estate Funds During a Dispute in Washington: Court Approval, Steps, and Practical Tips
Short answer Detailed Answer — How the court approves releasing estate funds when beneficiaries or creditors dispute the split (Washington law) When people disagree about dividing estate money, Washington courts will not simply release cash to one side without a formal process that protects creditors, the personal representative, and all beneficiaries. The usual path is […]
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