Bellingham estate planning practice serving Whatcom County, handling probate and trust administration for families settling an estate. Planning work includes wills, revocable living trusts, bypass trusts, special needs trusts, community property agreements, powers of attorney, and health care directives. Attorney Erin Mae Glass also practices elder law.
Bellingham is in Whatcom County.
Probate in Whatcom County
Probate Court Record
Whatcom County Superior Court
Whatcom County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 501, Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Whatcom County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Whatcom County? →Settling an estate in Whatcom County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Washington
Free Washington forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Washington.
$12/month
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Last Will and Testament
In Washington, a will is signed before 2RCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyRCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Washington
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Washington: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Washington.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Washington costs an estimated $27,599RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2.2%Modeled estimate under RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.5%Modeled estimate under RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Washington: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysRCW 11.44.015; RCW 11.44.025Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsRCW 11.40.020, 11.40.040, 11.40.051, 11.40.100, 11.76.110Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
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How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Washington pays executors reasonable compensationRCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation set by the court; no statutory percentage; compensation provided in the will controls unless renounced in writing before qualifying)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate.
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Do I Need Probate?
In Washington, estates valued at $100,000RCW 11.62.010Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitRCW 11.62.010Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, 40 daysRCW 11.62.010Verified Sep 9, 2026View source after death.
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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Washington, creditors have 4 monthsRCW 11.40.051Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
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