Colville firm with a branch office in Chewelah that has served Northeast Washington for over half a century. It helps personal representatives through probate and the settlement of a loved one's estate, litigates probate disputes, and prepares wills, durable powers of attorney, health care directives, community property agreements, and guardianships, alongside real estate, business formation, civil litigation, and family law.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Pend Oreille County, Washington
How probate works in Pend Oreille County: the Superior Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Pend Oreille County Superior Court
Pend Oreille County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-4:30 PM
Office
229 South Garden Avenue, Newport, WA 99156
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
E-filing
OptionalThe Clerk takes e-filings through its own Box upload link, which needs a free Box account, rather than eFileWA; counter and mail filing remain open. Each e-filing is prepaid, with any filing fee paid before the document is sent, and the Clerk emails a receipt confirmation. Original wills cannot be e-filed. On paper: Original wills; Negotiable instruments.
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe Clerk's forms page links the statewide forms on the Washington Courts site, and the Clerk sells form packets for family law cases. The Family Law Court Facilitator, booked through the Clerk, helps self-represented parties in family law cases only.
Hearing schedule
- Civil, probate and guardianship matters are heard on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.
P.O. Box 5020
Newport, WA 99156-5020
Fax
1-509-447-2734
Departments
- County Clerk1-509-447-2435 · Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-4:30 PMProbate cases are filed with the County Clerk in the Hall of Justice in Newport. The Clerk's office closes from noon to 1:00 p.m.
About the court
- Three Superior Court judges serve Ferry, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties jointly, with court administration in Colville. Pend Oreille cases are heard and filed in Newport.
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Pend Oreille 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 Pend Oreille County, probate runs through the Superior Court at 229 South Garden Avenue, Newport. Pend Oreille County runs probate e-filing through pendoreille.gov, the only Washington county on that system.
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 Pend Oreille County
What probate costs in Pend Oreille 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 229 South Garden Avenue, Newport.
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 Pend Oreille 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 Pend Oreille County Self-Filing Assessment.
Pend Oreille 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
Agreed and ex parte orders are presented through the Clerk
Agreed, final and other routine ex parte orders are presented off the docket by giving or mailing them to the Clerk with the ex parte fee paid in advance, and the Clerk forwards them to a judicial officer. A self-addressed stamped envelope returns conformed copies or a rejected order.
SourceCourt Appearances
Probate heard Thursday afternoons
Pend Oreille County Superior Court sits every Thursday, and civil, probate and guardianship matters are called at 1:30 p.m. The calendar on the Clerk's page shows which judge hears each date.
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 Medical Examiner in Pend Oreille County
In Washington a death is registered locally, and in Pend Oreille County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Northeast Tri County Health District Vital Records, Pend Oreille County as well as by Washington State Department of Health - Center for Health Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
Local Health Department
Pend Oreille County · Northeast Tri County Health District Vital Records
Phone
1-509-684-2262 (option 3)
Hours
Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM-noon and 12:30 PM-4:30 PM; Friday 7:30 AM-11:00 AM
Office
486 South Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114
Website
Certified copies
At the counter, issued while you wait
Order online
Fax
1-509-684-9878
Local rule
- Death certificates are issued at the Colville office only, for Ferry, Pend Oreille and Stevens county deaths from 2014 on. A mailed order costs less than the walk-in fee.
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $37 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Medical Examiner
Pend Oreille County · Spokane County Medical Examiner
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
102 South Spokane Street, Spokane, WA 99202
Website
Serves this county
Spokane County Medical Examiner
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Pend Oreille 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 Pend Oreille County are recorded with the County Auditor at 625 West 4th Street, Newport, WA 99156. Phone: 1-509-447-6473. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 5015, Newport, WA 99156.
The County Auditor charges $304 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page.
Pend Oreille County does not offer e-recording.
Recording Office Record
County Auditor
Pend Oreille County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM
Office
625 West 4th Street, Newport, WA 99156
Website
P.O. Box 5015
Newport, WA 99156
Fax
1-509-447-2475
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 Pend Oreille 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 Pend Oreille 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.
Multi-state firm with Washington offices in Seattle, University Place, Olympia, Spokane, Richland, Kennewick, and Dayton. Guides personal representatives through probate and estate administration, from gathering assets and paying debts to transferring ownership, and handles elder law matters including Medicaid planning and guardianship. Consultations are available by phone or video.
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.
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.
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.
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
- Pend Oreille County Superior Court, official page
- Pend Oreille County Auditor, official page
- Pend Oreille 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
Browse vetted Washington attorneys handling probate matters.
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