How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property in Washington?
In Washington, a deceased owner's unclaimed property is claimed from the Washington Department of Revenue, Unclaimed Property (UCP)Chapter 63.30 RCW (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); RCW 11.62.010 (small estate affidavit)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
File the claim with the Washington Department of Revenue, Unclaimed Property (UCP)Chapter 63.30 RCW (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); RCW 11.62.010 (small estate affidavit)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The search and the claim start at the office's site. With probate open, the executor or administrator files with current Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration dated within 12 months of the day the claim is filed; if older, DOR may also require a current bank statement for the estateUCP: What type of documentation will I be requested to provide (Department of Revenue claim documentation tool)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
With no probate, an heir files with a copy of the will or trust if one exists, current mailing addresses for all heirs, and a notarized Affidavit of Successor, a DOR form provided after the claim is filedUCP: What type of documentation will I be requested to provide (Department of Revenue claim documentation tool)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
The claims FAQ lists the original owner as reported by the company holding the funds, an heir of the original owner, a beneficiary, or the personal representative while the estate is in probateClaims FAQ (Washington Department of Revenue Unclaimed Property)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Every state where the person had an address can hold some of the property: the holding company reports it to the state of the owner's last-known address, and to its own home state where it has no address on record. MissingMoney.com searches most states at once. Insurance, savings bonds, pensions, refunds and failed-bank deposits sit in federal and national databases: the Treasury (TreasuryDirect), PBGC, the IRS, the FDIC, the NCUA, the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator and the VA.
There is no time limit for filing a claim: the Department of Revenue holds the funds until the rightful owner or their heirs come forwardUnclaimed Property (UCP) (Washington Department of Revenue)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The claims FAQ says claims are processed in the order received and can take up to 90 days, and staff contact you if more information is neededClaims FAQ (Washington Department of Revenue Unclaimed Property)Verified Aug 24, 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.
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.
IRS Form 1310
Claim a refund due a deceased taxpayer on the official form, on the box the form routes you to, with what the form says to attach.
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 Much Can an Executor Charge?
Washington pays executors reasonable compensationRCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation set by the court; no statutory percentage; compensation provided in the will controls unless the personal representative renounces it in writing before qualifying)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate.
Can I Self-File Probate?
Washington has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
How Do I Get Letters Testamentary?
In Washington, the Superior Court clerk issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration once the Superior Court appoints the personal representative; every appointment goes through the court.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Washington, creditors have 4 monthsRCW 11.40.051Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Washington pays the claims in 6RCW 11.76.110Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with administration expenses.
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