Estate Planning & Probate in Kitsap County, Washington
Most Kitsap County estate questions come down to one fork: avoid probate before a death, or work through it after one. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the Superior Court.
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 Kitsap County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Kitsap County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Kitsap County→The Probate Process in Kitsap 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 Kitsap County, probate runs through the Superior Court at 614 Division St, MS 24, Port Orchard. Probate e-filing in Kitsap County goes through efile.courts.wa.gov, a system used by 14 Washington counties.
Full Kitsap Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Superior Court
Kitsap County
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Auditor
Kitsap County
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
$303.5 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page; a 2-page TOD deed records for $304.5; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified September 9, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the Superior Court
The Superior Court schedules probate hearings Ex Parte Court: Monday-Friday at 8:30 AM, plus Monday, Thursday, and Friday at 3:30 PM.
Routine probate matters may be presented to the Ex Parte department for immediate review and signature. The Clerk's Office offers an online ex parte check-in upload and also accepts fax filings with a required cover sheet. Bench/working copies must be individually stapled, not stapled together. Arrive about 20 minutes before Ex Parte Court with all documents and the filing fee. The Oath must already be signed and notarized — no notary is available on site. Certified copies of Letters are $5 each.
Washington Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Kitsap County.
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