What Do I Need to Sign My TOD Deed in Washington?
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.
No. Washington does not require witnesses for a TOD deedRCW 64.80.010 to 64.80.904Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Yes. Washington requires notarization for a TOD deed to be validRCW 64.80.010 to 64.80.904Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Yes. A TOD deed can be executed entirely remotely in Washington: the signing happens in a live video session with an online notary, with no witnesses in the sessionRCW 42.45.280Verified Sep 10, 2026View source.
To execute a TOD deed in Washington: Schedule a notary appointment (in-person or online via RON). Record the deed before death with the County Auditor. Include a legal description of the property. Sign remotely in a live video session with an online notary
No. A TOD deed works by being recorded against a specific parcel, so the deed must be a Washington TOD deed recorded in the Washington county where the property sits. A TOD deed signed in another state cannot transfer Washington real property, however it was executed; real estate in more than one state needs a deed for each parcel. The Washington document portability tool carries the recognition rule by document type.
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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.
Codicil to a Will
In Washington, a codicil is signed before 2RCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, like a will, and the self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyRCW 11.20.020(2)Verified Oct 25, 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.
HIPAA Release
In Washington, a HIPAA release names who may receive your records and, as the state requires, names HIV/AIDS-related information and mental health recordsRCW 70.02.220(1), (2)(a) (2013 c 200 § 6; last amended 2021 c 270 § 5); cross-references chapter 70.24 RCW; RCW 70.02.230(1) (2013 c 200 § 7; version in effect until June 30, 2027, last amended 2024 c 209 § 32)Verified Jun 10, 2026View source expressly before a provider releases them.
Financial Power of Attorney
Washington requires explicit durability language for a power of attorney to survive incapacityRCW § 11.125.050Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and it is signed before 2RCW § 11.125.050Verified Oct 21, 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. Washington does not recognize a Lady Bird deed.
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.
Pour-Over Will
In Washington, a pour-over will is signed before 2RCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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.
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Washington recognizes a will signed under the law of the place where it was signedRCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source; a will signed in Washington itself needs 2RCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and notarization is not requiredRCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
In Washington, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 2.2%Modeled estimate under RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.5%Modeled estimate under RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable living 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 for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
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.
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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 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.
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%Modeled estimate under RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.5%Modeled estimate under RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
Do I Need a TOD Deed?
Washington authorizes transfer on death deedsRCW 64.80.010 to 64.80.904Verified Oct 17, 2026View source: a recorded, revocable deed that passes real property at death outside probate.
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Washington Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Washington probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.