How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Washington?
Washington pays executors reasonable compensationRCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation set by the court; no statutory percentage; compensation provided in the will controls unless the personal representative renounces it in writing before qualifying)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate.
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 the personal representative renounces it in writing before qualifying)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Courts consider the size and complexity of the estate, the time spent, and the executor's skill and experience. Executors can waive the fee entirely or accept a reduced amount.
Washington law says only that compensation must be reasonable; it names no percentage, so no exact figure exists to look up. The estimate is built from the 16 states whose legislatures set an executor fee schedule: each schedule is applied to an estate of the same size, and the middle half of those results is the range, 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of a $500,000 estate. It is an estimate anchored in what other legislatures decided the same work is worth, not a figure from Washington law; the probate court has the final say.
Washington statute does not address how co-executors share compensation. The court sets one reasonable amount for the estate and allocates it among the executors serving.RCW 11.48.210Verified Jul 25, 2026View source
Washington requires a bond of the personal representative by defaultRCW 11.28.185Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. The requirement can often be excusedRCW 11.28.185Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, by a waiver in the will, agreement of the heirs, or court order, depending on the state. If the court requires a corporate surety, the premium runs about 0.5%RCW 11.28.185Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of the bonded amount annually; most estates avoid it through a waiver or a surety-free bond. The bond protects beneficiaries against executor misconduct or mismanagement.
Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Washington probate: attorney fees of typically 2.2%RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.5%RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate, and executor compensation is set separatelyRCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation set by the court; no statutory percentage; compensation provided in the will controls unless the personal representative renounces it in writing before qualifying)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Both are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries. Estimate the attorney fee with the Washington probate attorney fee calculator.
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Washington
Free forms for settling an estate in Washington: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Notice to Creditors
In Washington, the notice to creditors is published for 3RCW 11.40.020, 11.40.040, 11.40.051, 11.40.100, 11.76.110Verified Sep 15, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 4 monthsRCW 11.40.051Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Washington, a person named as personal representative may decline to serveRCW 11.28.010; RCW 11.28.120(1)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Washington, the Small Estate AffidavitRCW 11.62.010Verified Sep 9, 2026View source covers estates valued at $100,000RCW 11.62.010Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less, 40 daysRCW 11.62.010Verified Sep 9, 2026View source after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
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.
Estate Closing
In Washington, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsRCW 11.68.110(2)(b)(iv), (3), (4), (5)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and no final accounting is required.
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 inheritance taxes.
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.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Washington, the Superior Court appoints the personal representative and the Superior Court clerk issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the court.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Washington, creditors have 4 monthsRCW 11.40.051Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Washington pays the claims in 6RCW 11.76.110Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with administration expenses.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Washington costs an estimated $27,599RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2.2%RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.5%RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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Washington Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Washington probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.