Washington Inheritance: Plan an Estate or Settle One

Washington has not adopted the Uniform Probate Code, has not enacted the Uniform Trust CodeRCW 11.98.005 et seq.; RCW 11.103 (revocable trusts)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, and has adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney ActRCW § 11.125.050Verified Sep 20, 2026View source.

Probate of a simple estate in Washington runs 4 months to 6 months; an average estate takes 6 months to 9 months. The court filing fee is $290RCW 36.18.020(2)(f), (5)(c), (6)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source; attorney fees are reasonable compensationRCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source; executor compensation typically runs 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. On a $500,000 estate the estimated total comes to $27,599RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. The personal representative must post a bondRCW 11.28.185Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, which the will may waiveRCW 11.28.185Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.

Certified death certificates come from the Washington State Department of Health - Center for Health StatisticsWashington State Department of Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source at $25Washington State Department of Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source a copy. Processing time: 8-10 weeks by mailWashington State Department of Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. Once appointed, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysRCW 11.44.015; RCW 11.44.025Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment and publishes the notice to creditors for 3RCW 11.40.020, 11.40.040, 11.40.051, 11.40.100, 11.76.110Verified Oct 19, 2026View source consecutive weeks.

Washington has no elective shareRCW 11.02.070; RCW 11.04.060Verified Sep 15, 2026View source for a spouse left out of the will. Property left to a minor under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act is released at 21 yearsRCW 11.114.200Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of age. Washington has no state income taxWash. Const. Art. VII, § 1; RCW 82.87.040 (capital gains excise tax)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source, so an inheritance and the income it earns are taxed only federally.