Sequim solo general civil practice in Clallam County, in operation since 1981, that handles probate, administration of decedents' estates and trusts, and collection of assets through small estate procedures. The practice also prepares wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, community property agreements, and health care directives, alongside estate tax planning, real estate, and business law.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Clallam County, Washington
How probate works in Clallam County: the Superior Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Clallam County Superior Court
Clallam County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
223 East 4th Street, Suite 8, Port Angeles, WA 98362-3015
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
E-filing
OptionalClallam County takes e-filings through eFileWA, and documents can also be mailed or filed on paper at the Clerk's Office. Ex parte orders, letters testamentary or of administration, and probate bonds are filed on paper. The Clerk does not accept fax or email filings. On paper: Ex parte orders to be signed in chambers; Letters Testamentary and Letters of Administration; Bonds in probate and guardianship cases; Bench copies; Documents presented during a hearing or trial.
Filing in person
Walk-ins acceptedDocuments are filed in person at the County Clerk's counter in Suite 9 during office hours, or by mail.
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe Clerk's forms page carries the probate case cover sheet and links probate forms at wa-probate.com and the statewide court forms. Clerk staff do not prepare forms or give legal advice; the page lists the Northwest Justice Project and the Pro Bono Lawyers office in Port Angeles.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCredit card, Debit card.The Clerk's Office accepts credit and debit cards and does not accept personal checks.
Hearing schedule
- Civil ex parte matters, including probate, are heard Monday through Friday at 1 p.m., with an 11 a.m. filing deadline. Contested motions are heard on Fridays.
County forms
- Case Cover Sheet, Probate/Mental Health (Case Types 4 and 6)The case information cover sheet that opens a new probate case.
Fax
1-360-417-2581
Departments
- County Clerk1-360-417-2231 · Suite 9 · Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 12:30 PM-4:30 PMProbate cases are filed with the County Clerk in Suite 9, next to the Superior Court.
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Clallam County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Clallam County, probate runs through the Superior Court at 223 East 4th Street, Suite 8, Port Angeles. Probate e-filing in Clallam County goes through efile.courts.wa.gov, a system used by 6 Washington counties.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Washington intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Washington estates take 6 months to 9 months to move through this process. 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 a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Clallam County
What probate costs in Clallam County, Washington comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Superior Court at 223 East 4th Street, Suite 8, Port Angeles.
Washington charges $290RCW 36.18.020(2)(f), (5)(c), (6)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Washington are negotiated, typically 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 estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Washington allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payRCW 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. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under RCW 11.28.185Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Washington typically runs 6 months to 9 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the Superior Court
Probate documents in Clallam County can be filed in person at the Superior Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available.
Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for County Clerk.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Washington has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Clallam County Self-Filing Assessment.
Clallam County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Ex parte orders are mailed or delivered on paper, not e-filed
eFileWA does not take ex parte submissions. To have an order reviewed in chambers, mail the original documents with any copies to be conformed and a postage-paid, self-addressed return envelope.
SourceDocument Requirements
Bench copies reach the court at least 24 hours before a hearing
A document filed within five business days of a hearing also goes to the court as a bench copy, marked "bench copy" with the hearing date and time, at least 24 hours before the hearing. eFileWA does not take bench copies.
SourceWhat to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the Superior Court: Death certificate — county clerk intake practice, NOT a statutory requirement, and not uniformly a certified copy. Nothing in Title 11 RCW or the Superior Court rules requires a death certificate to open probate or obtain Letters. Several counties ask for one anyway and word it differently: Thurston lists "Death Certificate (certified copy)"; Whatcom's official packets list only "Death Certificate". The largest counties do not list it at all — King, Pierce and Kitsap each publish a minimum-documents list that omits it. Confirm with the county Superior Court clerk before assuming a certified copy is neededRCW ch. 11.28 (letters testamentary & of administration); RCW 11.28.110 (petition contents, as amended by 2026 c 204 s 1), 11.28.120 (priority, as amended by 2026 c 204 s 2), 11.28.170 (oath), 11.28.185 (bond, as amended by 2026 c 204 s 3); RCW 11.68.011 (nonintervention powers, as amended by 2026 c 204 s 9)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Coroner in Clallam County
In Washington a death is registered locally, and in Clallam County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Clallam County Health and Human Services as well as by Washington State Department of Health - Center for Health Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
Local Health Department
Clallam County · Clallam County Health and Human Services
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
111 East 3rd Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Website
Certified copies
At the counter, issued while you wait
Local rule
- The office issues deaths from June 2014 on, once the state has finalized the certificate; applications are picked up on Fridays unless expedited same day, for walk-ins only. A Forks office at 140 C St, 360-374-3121, is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $25 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Coroner
Clallam County · Clallam County Coroner's Office
Phone
Website
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Clallam County
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Auditor.
Deeds and other real property documents for Clallam County are recorded with the County Auditor at 223 East 4th Street, Suite 1, Port Angeles, WA 98362. Phone: 1-360-417-2220. Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 AM-4:30 PM.
The County Auditor charges $304 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page.
Clallam County accepts electronic recording through ePN, CSC, Indecomm and Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
County Auditor
Clallam County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 9:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
223 East 4th Street, Suite 1, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Website
Fees
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $303.5 |
| Each additional page | $1 |
| Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit$5 state technology fee on every transfer, plus $5 more when no tax is due because an exemption is claimed; $10 minimum in fee(s) and/or tax (RCW 82.45.180). Paid to the county treasurer, not the auditor. Not required for a TOD deed | |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax |
RCW 36.18.010; RCW 36.22.170; RCW 36.22.175; RCW 36.22.240; RCW 36.22.250; RCW 36.22.185
Verified October 17, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Clallam County
Washington allows independent administrationRCW 11.68Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, so the personal representative manages, pays and distributes the estate without returning to the court for approval at each step. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Washington are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Clallam County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Superior Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Port Townsend firm with a satellite location in Port Angeles, serving Jefferson, Clallam, and Kitsap counties since 2014. Handles probate and non-probate administration and trust administration for families after a death, and prepares wills, trusts, medical directives, and powers of attorney. Also handles real property matters.
Sequim solo practice focused on elder law and estate planning. Handles Washington probate for families after a death, and prepares wills, testamentary and revocable living trusts, community property agreements, special needs trusts, durable powers of attorney, and health care directives.
Port Angeles solo practice of an attorney in practice for over 30 years, focused on elder law and estate planning. Handles probate for estates with or without a will and guardianships for children and adults, and also works as a mediator. Prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives.
Walla Walla firm, formerly Burkhart and Burkhart, representing families, farms, and businesses. Handles probate and trust administration, including supporting successor trustees who distribute a deceased person's assets, and litigates estate and trust disputes, including will contests. Accepts clients throughout Washington State.
Wenatchee firm, doing business as Northwest Estate Plans, that handles Washington probate and trust administration for families after a death, starting with a free Executor Guidance Meeting to review the options. Also prepares wills and revocable living trusts. Meetings, signings, and notarization can be completed over Zoom for clients anywhere in Washington, or in person at the Wenatchee office.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Legal Sources
(9)·
- RCW 11.40.020, 11.40.040, 11.40.051, 11.40.100, 11.76.110
- RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation set by the court; no statutory percentage; compensation provided in the will controls unless renounced in writing before qualifying)
- RCW 11.68
- RCW 36.18.020(2)(f), (5)(c), (6)
- RCW ch. 11.28 (letters testamentary & of administration); RCW 11.28.110 (petition contents, as amended by 2026 c 204 s 1), 11.28.120 (priority, as amended by 2026 c 204 s 2), 11.28.170 (oath), 11.28.185 (bond, as amended by 2026 c 204 s 3); RCW 11.68.011 (nonintervention powers, as amended by 2026 c 204 s 9)
- RCW 36.18.010; RCW 36.22.170; RCW 36.22.175; RCW 36.22.240; RCW 36.22.250; RCW 36.22.185
- Clallam County Superior Court, official page
- Clallam County Auditor, official page
- Clallam County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from Washington statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Washington
Free tools for settling an estate in Washington: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool.
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.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Washington happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statuteRCW 11.98.005 et seq.; RCW 11.103 (revocable trusts)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysRCW 11.98.072; RCW 11.96A.070Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
Washington has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
Get the Answer
Hire a Washington Probate Attorney
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