Estate Planning & Probate in Thurston County, Washington
There are two reasons people look up Thurston County probate: to keep a family out of it, or to get a loved one's estate through it. Start with your situation below; both paths use Thurston 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 Thurston County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Thurston County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Thurston County→The Probate Process in Thurston 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 Thurston County, probate runs through the Superior Court at 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW, Bldg 2, Olympia. Thurston County runs probate e-filing through clerkefile.co.thurston.wa.us, the only Washington county on that system.
Full Thurston Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Superior Court
Thurston County
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Auditor
Thurston 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
A new probate requires a notarized Oath and a certified Death Certificate at filing, along with a Case Cover Sheet, Petition, and the original Will (if any). Effective March 16, 2026, the County Clerk suspended ex parte services until further notice, citing budget constraints.
Washington Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Thurston County.
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