Probate in Whatcom County

Probate Court Record

Whatcom County Superior Court

Whatcom County

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

Office

311 Grand Avenue, Suite 501, Bellingham, WA 98225-4038

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 →

Tax Planning Firms Serving Whatcom County

Serves King and Snohomish counties from Redmond, covering Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Sammamish, and Woodinville, and works with clients remotely across Washington. Handles wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, probate, and tax planning for estates; planning is sold as flat-fee packages and probates are billed hourly. Intake starts with a free telephone consultation.

Solo PracticeSince 2022Serves the whole stateFree consultationVirtual consultationsEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningAsset Protection

Spokane firm, formerly Moulton Law Offices, with offices in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Kennewick, and Yakima and virtual meetings for clients across Washington. Guides personal representatives, executors, heirs, and trustees through probate and trust administration, and also handles guardianships, Medicaid planning, and revocable living trusts.

Serves the whole stateVirtual consultationsEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawTax Planning+4

Serves Benton, Franklin, and Yakima counties from offices in Kennewick and Yakima, including Richland and Pasco. Handles probate, paying the decedent's debts and distributing assets under the will or Washington intestacy law, along with wills, trusts, health care directives, and estate tax planning. The firm's other main practice is personal injury.

Serves the whole stateEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningPersonal Injury

Bellevue solo practice serving King and Snohomish counties and clients throughout Washington. Handles probate and trust administration, estate and gift tax planning, and wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. Initial consultations are held by phone.

Solo PracticeServes the whole stateVirtual consultationsEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planning

Spokane firm that works primarily by phone, video conference, and email with clients throughout Washington. Handles probate, advises trustees on their duties, notice to creditors, and paying creditors, and represents clients in court in trust, estate, and probate disputes. The firm does not offer free consultations.

Solo PracticeServes the whole stateVirtual consultationsEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation+2

Serves clients statewide from Seattle, with a second office in Yakima. Represents personal representatives, executors, and trustees through probate and trust administration — court filings, asset gathering and valuation, tax return preparation, and fiduciary duties — and handles trust and estate litigation and estate tax planning.

Serves the whole stateEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation+4

All 8 Washington tax planning firms serving 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.

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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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Pour-Over Will

In Washington, a pour-over will is signed before 2RCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.

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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 Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

Washington levies an estate taxRCW 83.100.020(1)(a)(x), 83.100.040(2)(a)(iii); ESB 6347 (Ch. 209, Laws of 2026)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $3,000,000RCW 83.100.020(1)(a)(x), 83.100.040(2)(a)(iii); ESB 6347 (Ch. 209, Laws of 2026)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source (top rate 20%RCW 83.100.020(1)(a)(x), 83.100.040(2)(a)(iii); ESB 6347 (Ch. 209, Laws of 2026)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source) and no inheritance tax; the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

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What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?

In Washington, beneficiaries owe no inheritance tax and the estate pays any estate taxRCW 83.100.020(1)(a)(x), 83.100.040(2)(a)(iii); ESB 6347 (Ch. 209, Laws of 2026)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $3,000,000RCW 83.100.020(1)(a)(x), 83.100.040(2)(a)(iii); ESB 6347 (Ch. 209, Laws of 2026)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate.

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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?

Inherited assets in Washington take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces a 7% excise tax above $278,000, rising to 9.9% above $1,000,000; individuals only — estates and trusts are not subject to itRCW Ch. 82.87 (esp. § 82.87.040 rate, § 82.87.050 exclusions); ESSB 5096 (2021); SB 5813 Ch. 421 (2025 Laws) — added 9.9% tier on gains > $1MVerified Sep 15, 2026View source.

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When Do I Have to Withdraw an Inherited IRA?

See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.

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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Washington runs $3,400Estimate: 10 hours at $340, Clio's Washington Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,100Estimate: 15 hours at $340, Clio's Washington Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $1,164Estimate: 3 hours at $388, Clio's Washington Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,328Estimate: 6 hours at $388, Clio's Washington Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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