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Home→Tools→Personal Property Value Estimator→Washington

What Are My Personal Items Worth for Probate in Washington?

Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate in Washington. See how reporting accurate values instead of purchase prices affects your probate fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal property in Washington is valued at fair market value — what the item would sell for on the open market, not the original purchase price.RCW 11.62.010 (small estate, $100K, 40-day wait, personal property only); RCW 11.40.020 (notice/publication, permissive — "may give notice"); RCW 11.40.051 (4-month creditor claims with notice, 24-month bar without); RCW 11.28.185 (bond; waived if will manifests intent, surviving spouse/DP takes entire estate, or bank/trust company); RCW 11.44.015 (inventory within 3 months of appointment, court filing optional); RCW 11.48.210 ("just and reasonable" PR/attorney fees, no statutory percentage); RCW 11.68 (nonintervention powers / independent administration); RCW 36.18.020(2)(f) $200 + (5)(c) $40 + (6) $50 = $290 flat filing fee (HB 1207 / 2025 c 357, eff. 7/27/2025) — re-verified against app.leg.wa.gov 2026-05-27Verified May 27, 2026 Most household items (furniture, electronics, clothing) lose 50-90% of their value. Professional appraisals are used for art, collectibles, jewelry, and other high-value items.

Yes. Washington probate fees are typically 2-4% of the estate value, which includes personal property.RCW 11.62.010 (small estate, $100K, 40-day wait, personal property only); RCW 11.40.020 (notice/publication, permissive — "may give notice"); RCW 11.40.051 (4-month creditor claims with notice, 24-month bar without); RCW 11.28.185 (bond; waived if will manifests intent, surviving spouse/DP takes entire estate, or bank/trust company); RCW 11.44.015 (inventory within 3 months of appointment, court filing optional); RCW 11.48.210 ("just and reasonable" PR/attorney fees, no statutory percentage); RCW 11.68 (nonintervention powers / independent administration); RCW 36.18.020(2)(f) $200 + (5)(c) $40 + (6) $50 = $290 flat filing fee (HB 1207 / 2025 c 357, eff. 7/27/2025) — re-verified against app.leg.wa.gov 2026-05-27Verified May 27, 2026 Accurate fair market valuations — rather than purchase prices — keep the reported estate value lower. Use the Washington probate calculator to estimate total costs.

Estates with personal property under $100,000 in Washington may qualify for simplified probate, which avoids full probate.RCW 11.62.010 (small estate, $100K, 40-day wait, personal property only); RCW 11.40.020 (notice/publication, permissive — "may give notice"); RCW 11.40.051 (4-month creditor claims with notice, 24-month bar without); RCW 11.28.185 (bond; waived if will manifests intent, surviving spouse/DP takes entire estate, or bank/trust company); RCW 11.44.015 (inventory within 3 months of appointment, court filing optional); RCW 11.48.210 ("just and reasonable" PR/attorney fees, no statutory percentage); RCW 11.68 (nonintervention powers / independent administration); RCW 36.18.020(2)(f) $200 + (5)(c) $40 + (6) $50 = $290 flat filing fee (HB 1207 / 2025 c 357, eff. 7/27/2025) — re-verified against app.leg.wa.gov 2026-05-27Verified May 27, 2026 Accurate valuation at fair market value can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the Washington probate need checker.

High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles typically require professional appraisals. For typical household items — furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing — fair market value can be estimated using comparable sales data. Washington probate courts require the executor to file an inventory with values for all personal property.RCW 11.62.010 (small estate, $100K, 40-day wait, personal property only); RCW 11.40.020 (notice/publication, permissive — "may give notice"); RCW 11.40.051 (4-month creditor claims with notice, 24-month bar without); RCW 11.28.185 (bond; waived if will manifests intent, surviving spouse/DP takes entire estate, or bank/trust company); RCW 11.44.015 (inventory within 3 months of appointment, court filing optional); RCW 11.48.210 ("just and reasonable" PR/attorney fees, no statutory percentage); RCW 11.68 (nonintervention powers / independent administration); RCW 36.18.020(2)(f) $200 + (5)(c) $40 + (6) $50 = $290 flat filing fee (HB 1207 / 2025 c 357, eff. 7/27/2025) — re-verified against app.leg.wa.gov 2026-05-27Verified May 27, 2026

Total probate costs in Washington include attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. Personal property value is one component of the gross estate that determines fee calculations. The Washington probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.

Not necessarily. Items with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts), jointly held property, and assets in a trust bypass probate. Only personal property owned solely by the deceased passes through probate in Washington. The Washington probate need checker determines which assets require probate.

Personal Property Valuation in Washington

Washington probate attorneys charge 2%RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 27, 2026 to 4%RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 27, 2026 of estate value as reasonable compensation. The personal property inventory contributes to that total, making accurate fair market valuations important for controlling costs.

Estates with personal property under $100,000RCW 11.62.010 (small estate, $100K, 40-day wait, personal property only)Verified May 27, 2026 in Washington may qualify for simplified procedures that avoid formal probate. Accurate valuation can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the probate need checker.

Beyond the $290RCW 36.18.020(2)(f), (5)(c), (6)Verified May 27, 2026 court filing fee, Washington probate costs include attorney fees, executor compensation, and publication expenses — all influenced by estate value. See a full estimate with the probate calculator.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 27, 2026

Legal Sources

  • RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
  • RCW 11.62.010 (small estate, $100K, 40-day wait, personal property only)
  • RCW 36.18.020(2)(f), (5)(c), (6)

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

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Washington Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Washington probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

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Click categories on the left to add items. Name each item, pick a type, and enter what you paid.

These estimates are based on general resale market data and insurance industry depreciation guides. They are approximations, not professional appraisals. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay on the open market. For high-value items or contested estates, consult a certified appraiser.

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