Estate Planning & Probate in King County, Washington
King County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. Start with your situation below; both paths use King County's actual court and recording details.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Superior Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in King County →Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a King County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in King County →The Probate Process in King 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 King County, probate runs through the Superior Court at 516 3rd Avenue, Room C-203, Seattle. King County runs probate e-filing through kingcounty.gov, the only Washington county on that system.
Full King County probate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
King County Superior Court
King County
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Self-represented filing
How to file probate in King County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
King County
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Recording fee
E-recording
Verified October 17, 2026 · Source
Vital Records Office Record
Local Health Department
King County · King County Vital Records
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Certified copies
Order online
Certified copy fee
Full death certificate details →
Verified November 1, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Medical Examiner
King County · King County Medical Examiner's Office
Hours
Office
Website
Release of remains
Full coroner or medical examiner details →
Verified November 1, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the Superior Court
King County files electronically through the Clerk's KC Script Portal instead of the statewide eFileWA system, and attorneys must use it. The portal has no separate attachment upload, so exhibits are merged into the document before it is e-filed. The personal representative's name is typed or printed on the oath as it appears in the order appointing them, and a personal representative who changes their name obtains an order for new letters. Bonds are signed by the principal and give the surety's address, and a change of address is filed within 30 days.
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.
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.
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Washington allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 2RCW 11.125.050; RCW 11.125.400; RCW 70.122.030; RCW 7.70.065Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
Financial Power of Attorney
Washington requires explicit durability language for a power of attorney to survive incapacityRCW § 11.125.050Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and it is signed before 2RCW § 11.125.050Verified Oct 21, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
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 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.
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.
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.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Washington is a community property state, so the surviving spouse already owns half of what the couple acquired during the marriage. Without a will in Washington, descendants divide what passes to them per capita with representationRCW §§ 11.04.015(2)(a), 11.02.005Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and an heir must survive the decedent by 120 hoursRCW § 11.05A.020Verified Oct 21, 2026View source to inherit.
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.
Washington Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in King County.
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