For anyone planning an estate in Washington or settling one: what a will or trust costs, whether an estate needs probate, what executors and trustees are paid, and the taxes on an inheritance, each answered under Washington law.
36 tools for Washington
Probate in Washington takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate and charges 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; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
Washington authorizes transfer on death deedsRCW 64.80.010 to 64.80.904Verified Jul 15, 2026: a recorded, revocable deed that passes real property at death outside probate.
Washington does not offer a transfer-on-death designation on a vehicle title; a vehicle passes by will, trust, joint title, or 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.
In Washington, the Superior Court appoints the personal representative and the Superior Court clerk issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the court.
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.
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.
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
Compare trust-account requirements bank by bank: how a revocable trust account is opened or retitled, and what proves the trust.
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
Washington has no state income tax, so only the federal final Form 1040 is due for the decedentWash. Const. Art. VII, § 1; RCW 82.87.040 (capital gains excise tax)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
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.
Settling an estate 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; creditors have 4 monthsRCW 11.40.020, 11.40.040, 11.40.051, 11.40.100, 11.76.110Verified Sep 15, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
Settling a trust in Washington happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statuteRCW 11.98.005 et seq.; RCW 11.103 (revocable trusts)Verified Jul 15, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysRCW 11.98.072; RCW 11.96A.070Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
After a death in Washington, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $100,000RCW 11.62.010Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 4 monthsRCW 11.40.051Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to file claims after notice.