How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children in Washington?
In Washington, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writingRCW 11.130.215(2)(a); RCW 11.12.020 (will formalities)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18RCW 26.28.010Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
In Washington, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writingRCW 11.130.215(2)(a); RCW 11.12.020 (will formalities)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. It needs your signature, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18RCW 26.28.010Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. It can be recorded alongside the rest of an estate plan when you create a revocable living trust.
When a parent has named a guardian, the court appoints the guardian the parent named unless someone shows a statutory ground to disqualify themRCW 11.130.215(2)(a); RCW 11.12.020 (will formalities)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. A backup guardian named in the same document applies if the first choice cannot serve.
Yes. Washington recognizes a separate signed declaration naming a guardian, so a full will is not required to make the nominationRCW 11.130.215(2)(a); RCW 11.12.020 (will formalities)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source, so a full will is not required; a will remains the standard place to do it.
Yes. Washington allows a Delegation of Parental Powers by Power of Attorney, under which any adult can be authorized for a limited time (up to 2 years) without transferring custodyRCW 11.130.145; execution per RCW 11.125.050(1)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
In Washington, a child 12 or older may choose their guardian, subject to the court's approvalRCW 11.130.215(2)(c)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
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New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
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Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
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New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
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Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreForms for Planning Your Estate in Washington
Free forms for planning your estate in Washington: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Last Will and Testament
In Washington, a will is signed before 2RCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyRCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Washington allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 2RCW 11.125.050; RCW 11.125.400; RCW 70.122.030; RCW 7.70.065Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
Financial Power of Attorney
Washington requires explicit durability language for a power of attorney to survive incapacityRCW § 11.125.050Verified Sep 20, 2026View source, and it is signed before 2RCW § 11.125.050Verified Sep 20, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
Transfer on Death Deed
In Washington, a transfer on death deed is signed before a notaryRCW 64.80.010 to 64.80.904Verified Oct 19, 2026View source, then recorded with the county before the owner's deathRCW 64.80.010 to 64.80.904Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Living Will
In Washington, the living will is the Health Care DirectiveRCW ch. 70.122 (Natural Death Act)Verified Sep 27, 2026View source, a document of its own, apart from the healthcare power of attorney.
Tools for Planning Your Estate in Washington
Free tools for planning your estate in Washington: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
An attorney-prepared will in Washington runs $1,164Estimate: 3 hours at $388, Clio's Washington Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,328Estimate: 6 hours at $388, Clio's Washington Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $27,599RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
In Washington, a will-based plan pays 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; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Washington runs $3,400Estimate: 10 hours at $340, Clio's Washington Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,100Estimate: 15 hours at $340, Clio's Washington Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $1,164Estimate: 3 hours at $388, Clio's Washington Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,328Estimate: 6 hours at $388, Clio's Washington Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
In Washington, four years at a public university cost about $91,896NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 330.20, public 4-year in-state tuition, fees, room and board, academic year 2022-23Verified Oct 17, 2026View source and the cost of living is 7% above the U.S. averageBEA Regional Price Parities, all items, by state, 2024Verified Oct 17, 2026View source; the state 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.
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
Washington automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorceRCW 11.07.010; RCW 11.12.051Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.
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 Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Washington probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.