What Happens to Jointly Owned Property in Washington When an Owner Dies?
When a joint owner dies in Washington, what the survivor records is the “Certified copy of the death certificateRCW 82.45.197(1)(d)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source”.
Washington names the “Certified copy of the death certificateRCW 82.45.197(1)(d)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source”. Washington law names no affidavit for a surviving joint tenant or spouse. The survivor gives a certified copy of the death certificate to the county treasurer to claim the excise tax exemption, and the same copy is recorded with the county auditorRCW 82.45.197(1)(d), (2)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source.
Attached when recorded: death certificate (a certified copy of the death certificate); a copy of the recorded community property agreement, where the surviving spouse or domestic partner takes under oneRCW 82.45.197(1)(d)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source.
Filed with the Certified copy of the death certificateRCW 82.45.197(1)(d)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source: Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit claiming the inheritance exemptionWash. Dep't of Revenue, Real estate excise tax exemptions (commonly used); WAC 458-61A-202(6)(a), (b)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source.
Washington owners hold with a right of survivorship as joint tenants, where the written instrument expressly declares a joint tenancy. Spouses and domestic partners may also sign a community property agreement that passes their community property to the survivor at the death. Washington abolished survivorship as an incident of tenancy by the entiretiesRCW 82.45.197(1)(a), (d), (2); RCW 64.28.010, 64.28.040; RCW 26.16.120; WAC 458-61A-202(6)(a), (b)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source.
Washington law names no affidavit for a transfer on death deed beneficiary. The interest passes at the owner's death; the beneficiaries give a certified copy of the death certificate to the county treasurer with an excise tax affidavit, and the copy is recorded with the county auditorRCW 82.45.197(1)(i), (2)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source.
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Learn moreForms 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.
IRS Form 56
Notify the IRS that you are the fiduciary of an estate, a trust or a person, or end a notice filed before, on the official form.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Notice to Creditors
In Washington, 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.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
In Washington, certified death certificates come from the Washington State Department of Health - Center for Health StatisticsWashington State Department of Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $25Washington State Department of Health - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source.
Do I Need Probate?
In Washington, estates valued at $100,000RCW 11.62.010Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitRCW 11.62.010Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, 40 daysRCW 11.62.010Verified Sep 9, 2026View source after death.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Washington has no state income tax, so only the federal final Form 1040 is due for the decedentWash. Const. Art. VII, § 1; RCW 82.87.040 (capital gains excise tax)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
After a death in Washington, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $100,000RCW 11.62.010Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 4 monthsRCW 11.40.051Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to file claims after notice.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Washington levies an estate taxRCW 83.100.020(1)(a)(x), 83.100.040(2)(a)(iii); ESB 6347 (Ch. 209, Laws of 2026)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $3,000,000RCW 83.100.020(1)(a)(x), 83.100.040(2)(a)(iii); ESB 6347 (Ch. 209, Laws of 2026)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source (top rate 20%RCW 83.100.020(1)(a)(x), 83.100.040(2)(a)(iii); ESB 6347 (Ch. 209, Laws of 2026)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source) and no inheritance tax; the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
In Washington, beneficiaries owe no inheritance tax and the estate pays any estate taxRCW 83.100.020(1)(a)(x), 83.100.040(2)(a)(iii); ESB 6347 (Ch. 209, Laws of 2026)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $3,000,000RCW 83.100.020(1)(a)(x), 83.100.040(2)(a)(iii); ESB 6347 (Ch. 209, Laws of 2026)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate.
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Washington Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Washington probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.