Tools for Planning Your Estate in Washington

In Washington, a will is signed before 2 witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimony.

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21 tools for Washington

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Washington costs an estimated $27,599. Attorney fees run 2.2% to 3.5% of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.

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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 representation, and an heir must survive the decedent by 120 hours to inherit.

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How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

Washington levies an estate tax above $3,000,000 (top rate 20%) and no inheritance tax; the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,000.

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Do I Need Probate?

In Washington, estates valued at $100,000 or less skip probate with the Small Estate Affidavit, 40 days after death.

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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Washington runs $3,400 to $5,100 and a simple will $1,164 to $2,328, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in Washington runs $3,400 to $5,100 for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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How Much Does a Will Cost?

An attorney-prepared will in Washington runs $1,164 to $2,328, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $27,599.

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How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

In Washington, four years at a public university cost about $91,896 and the cost of living is 7% above the U.S. average; the state levies an estate tax above $3,000,000.

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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?

Inherited assets in Washington take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death, and the gain on a later sale faces a 7% excise tax above $278,000, rising to 9.9% above $1,000,000; individuals only — estates and trusts are not subject to it.

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Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?

Washington automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorce; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.

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What Are the Estate Laws in My State?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Washington costs an estimated $27,599 and takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 2.2% to 3.5% of the estate. Estates under $100,000 can use a small-estate procedure instead.

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How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?

Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.

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How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children?

In Washington, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writing, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18.

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What Are the Burial and Cremation Laws in My State?

Washington allows you to name your own agent in a signed, written document, and that designation takes priority over the statutory order of next of kin who otherwise control disposition of the remains.

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How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.

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Will My Estate Documents Transfer?

Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.

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Do I Need a Revocable Trust?

Probate in Washington takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of typically 2.2% to 3.5% of the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.

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Do I Need a TOD Deed?

Washington authorizes transfer on death deeds: a recorded, revocable deed that passes real property at death outside probate.

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Do I Need a Vehicle TOD?

Washington does not offer a transfer-on-death designation on a vehicle title; a vehicle passes by will, trust, joint title, or probate.

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How Do I Open a Trust Account at My Bank?

Compare trust-account requirements bank by bank: how a revocable trust account is opened or retitled, and what proves the trust.

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A will in Washington costs what the provider charges. An online service runs $0 to $299 up front. An attorney in Washington charges around $388 an hour for wills and estates work, which puts a simple will at $1,164 to $2,328. The document is only part of the cost: probate adds about $27,599 on a $500,000 estate in fees the heirs pay later.

A revocable living trust in Washington costs what the provider charges. An online service runs $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription. An attorney in Washington charges around $340 an hour for trust work, which puts an attorney-prepared trust at $3,400 to $5,100 for an individual plan.

Yes. Washington allows transfer on death deeds. The deed names a beneficiary for real property, is recorded during the owner's life, and passes the property at death without probate.

In Washington, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writing. It needs your signature, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18. It can be recorded alongside the rest of an estate plan when you create a revocable living trust.

In Washington, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 2.2% to 3.5% of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee. The trust also distributes assets faster than the 4 months to 6 months probate timeline a simple estate takes.

Tools for Planning Your Estate in Washington

The tools of an estate plan are the documents that decide who receives property, who acts when the owner cannot, and who cares for minor children: a will, a revocable living trust, a financial power of attorney, a healthcare directive, beneficiary designations, and in some states a transfer on death deed. Each is governed by the law of the state where it is signed, and what it can do, how it is signed, and what it costs differ from state to state.

An attorney-prepared will in Washington runs $1,164 to $2,328, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $27,599 in court costs, attorney fees and executor compensation, the figure a trust is measured against. A healthcare power of attorney in Washington is signed before 2 witnesses or a notary. Washington levies an estate tax above $3,000,000 and no inheritance tax.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated October 15, 2026

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Data sourced from Washington statutes and official state code. How we research.