What Are My Duties as Trustee in Washington?
Step-by-step guide for administering a trust after the grantor passes away. Answer a few questions to get a personalized checklist for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
A successor trustee in Washington has a fiduciary duty to manage trust assets prudently, notify beneficiaries, pay debts and taxes, and distribute assets according to the trust terms.RCW 11.98.005 et seq.; RCW 11.103 (revocable trusts)Verified May 1, 2026 Unlike probate, trust administration is private and does not require court involvement.
Washington requires the successor trustee to notify qualified beneficiaries of the trust's existence and the trustee's contact information within 60 days of the grantor's death.RCW 11.98.005 et seq.; RCW 11.103 (revocable trusts)Verified May 1, 2026 The notice typically includes the trustee's name and address, and the beneficiary's right to request trust information.
When the grantor dies, the revocable trust becomes irrevocable and requires its own EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS. The trustee must file Form 1041 (U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts) for any income earned by trust assets after the date of death. The trust may also need to file a Washington state income tax return.
Washington requires trustees to maintain detailed records of all trust transactions, including income, expenses, distributions, and investment decisions.RCW 11.98.005 et seq.; RCW 11.103 (revocable trusts)Verified May 1, 2026 Beneficiaries have the right to request accountings. Proper documentation protects the trustee from liability claims and provides transparency for beneficiaries.
Trustee compensation in Washington is based on reasonable compensation for the services performed. Professional trustees typically charge 0.5-1.5% of trust assets annually. Individual (non-professional) trustees often reference executor fee guidelines (2-4% of estate value) as a benchmark. See the Washington trustee compensation guide for details.
Trust administration in Washington typically takes 6-12 months, compared to 6-9 months for average probate cases.RCW 11.62.010 (small estate, $100K, 40-day wait); RCW 11.40.020 (notice/publication, permissive); RCW 11.40.051 (4-month creditor claims with notice, 24-month bar without); RCW 11.28.185 (bond); RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable PR/attorney fees); RCW 11.68 (nonintervention powers); RCW 36.18.020 + HB 1207 (2025 c 357, eff. 7/27/2025) (court filing fee surcharge) — verified against app.leg.wa.gov 2026-05-01Verified May 1, 2026 Trust creditors have 4 months to file claims, compared to 4 months for probate creditor claims. Trust administration avoids court involvement, public filings, and many of the procedural delays associated with probate. See the Washington estate settlement guide for a complete overview.
Your kids shouldn't have to do this.
Washington Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Washington probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
