Centralia firm handling probate and estate planning for clients across southwest Washington and the south Puget Sound region since 1946. Probate work covers estates with or without a will: preparing court documents, contacting creditors, publishing required notices, obtaining the estate's federal tax ID number, and making distributions. Planning work includes wills, trusts, and community property agreements.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Thurston County, Washington
How probate works in Thurston County: the Superior Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Thurston County Superior Court
Thurston County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
2000 Lakeridge Drive Southwest, Building 2, Olympia, WA 98502-6001
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
E-filing
OptionalThurston County takes e-filing through its own ClerkEFile system, not the statewide eFileWA. A document e-filed outside the Clerk's business hours is filed at the start of the next business day. The Clerk delivers a bench copy of e-filed documents to Court Administration for a fee.
Filing in person
Walk-ins acceptedThe Clerk's counters reopened for walk-in service on September 21, 2026: the Main Campus counter in Olympia is open 8:00 AM to noon and the Family and Juvenile Court counter in Tumwater 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Filings may also be mailed or e-filed, and the lobbies open 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM for drop-off.
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe Clerk's Office does not provide probate forms or packets. A new probate is opened with a case cover sheet, the petition, the original will if there is one, a certified copy of the death certificate, a notarized oath, and the order admitting the will and issuing letters or granting letters of administration. The Clerk's Court Facilitators help with domestic relations matters only.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card.In person the Clerk takes cash, cashier's checks, money orders and debit and credit cards. By mail, payment is a cashier's check or money order. Personal checks are accepted only for legal financial obligation payments.
Hearing schedule
- Probate and guardianship calendar: Fridays at 2:00 and 3:00 PM. Ex parte calendar: Monday through Friday at 2:30 PM. Both at the Family and Juvenile Court in Tumwater.
Fax
1-360-754-4060
Departments
- County Clerk1-360-786-5430 · tcclerk@co.thurston.wa.us · Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon (Main Campus counter; lobby 08:00-16:00)Probate cases are filed with the County Clerk, at the counter, by mail or through ClerkEFile. The Clerk also keeps a counter at the Family and Juvenile Court in Tumwater, open 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Family and Juvenile Court1-360-709-3201 · 2801 32nd Avenue Southwest, Tumwater, WA 98512The probate and guardianship calendar and the daily ex parte calendar sit at the Family and Juvenile Court building in Tumwater.
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works 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 Drive Southwest, Building 2, Olympia. Thurston County runs probate e-filing through clerkefile.co.thurston.wa.us, 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 Thurston County
What probate costs in Thurston 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 2000 Lakeridge Drive Southwest, Building 2, Olympia.
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 Thurston 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 separate lines for County Clerk and Family and Juvenile Court.
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 Thurston County Self-Filing Assessment.
Thurston County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Document Requirements
Notarized Oath and certified Death Certificate required
A new probate is filed with a notarized oath and a certified copy of the death certificate, along with a case cover sheet, the petition and the original will if there is one.
SourceCourt Appearances
A new probate is presented on the walk-in ex parte calendar
Case documents and the proposed order opening a probate may be presented to the court on the daily walk-in ex parte calendar at the Family and Juvenile Court, Monday through Friday at 2:30 PM. Letters testamentary or of administration are issued by the Clerk under the court's order.
SourceThe Clerk's ex parte service is suspended
Since March 16, 2026 the Clerk's Office has suspended its own ex parte service, and its online payment page rejects an ex parte payment. Orders are presented to the court in person on the ex parte calendar.
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 Thurston County
In Washington a death is registered locally, and in Thurston County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Thurston County Public Health & Social Services, Vital Records as well as by Washington State Department of Health - Center for Health Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
Local Health Department
Thurston County · Thurston County Public Health & Social Services, Vital Records
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
412 Lilly Road Northeast, Olympia, WA 98506-5132
Website
Certified copies
At the counter
Local rule
- The office can access most Washington deaths from January 1, 2008 on; earlier ones come from the state office.
Burial and cremation permits
- Issued byThurston County Public Health & Social Services, Vital Records
- After-hours permit line1-360-490-7360
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $25 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Coroner
Thurston County · Thurston County Coroner's Office
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
2925 37th Avenue Southwest, Tumwater, WA 98512
Website
Mail and offices
2000 Lakeridge Drive Southwest
Olympia, WA 98502
Fax
1-360-867-2141
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Thurston 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 Thurston County are recorded with the County Auditor at 3000 Pacific Avenue Southeast, Suite 130, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: 1-360-786-5405. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (open at 9:00 AM first Wednesday of the month).
The County Auditor charges $304 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page.
Thurston County accepts electronic recording through CSC, ePN, Indecomm and Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
County Auditor
Thurston County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (open at 9:00 AM first Wednesday of the month)
Office
3000 Pacific Avenue Southeast, Suite 130, Olympia, WA 98501
Website
Fax
1-360-786-5223
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 Thurston 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 Thurston 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.
Serves Olympia and the South Puget Sound, covering Thurston, Mason, Pierce, Lewis, and Grays Harbor counties. Handles probate administration for estates of all sizes plus probate litigation — will contests on capacity, fraud, duress, or undue influence, competing wills, fiduciary-duty claims against a personal representative, and TEDRA petitions.
Olympia firm, established in 2003, whose estate practice covers wills, living wills and health care directives, powers of attorney, trusts, and guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults. The firm also handles business, real estate and land use, and family law matters, and was voted Bronze for Best Estate Law in the 2024 Best of South Sound awards.
Olympia firm that assists personal representatives and trustees with their duties after a death, from addressing creditors and defending the validity of a will to valuing assets and distributing property. Also prepares wills, revocable living trusts, and special needs trusts, and handles elder law matters including Medicaid eligibility.
Serves Grays Harbor, Mason, and Thurston counties from Aberdeen, with a second office in Olympia. Handles wills, living wills and living trusts, guardianship appointments for minor children, executor selection, and estate tax questions, alongside the firm's personal injury and DUI work. Offers a free initial consultation.
Olympia solo practice representing personal representatives and family members in probate across Thurston, Mason, Pierce, Lewis, Grays Harbor, and Pacific counties. Ryan A. Jacobsen handles probate with or without a will, disputes over estate property, and contested wills. The practice also prepares wills and trusts and handles guardianships and special needs planning.
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
- Thurston County Superior Court, official page
- Thurston County Auditor, official page
- Thurston 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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Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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