Detailed Answer — How to show a zero balance and close a spouse’s estate in Washington

Quick summary: In Washington, closing an estate with no remaining assets (a “zero balance”) requires documenting that the estate has no property or that all assets were collected and distributed, resolving any creditor claims or showing none exist, filing required court paperwork (final account or small-estate affidavit), and getting a court order discharging the personal representative. The exact path depends on whether a full probate was opened or a smaller, summary procedure applies. This is an educational overview, not legal advice.

1. Establish which probate path applies

Washington has different procedures depending on whether a formal probate was opened and on the size and character of the decedent’s assets:

• If a personal representative (executor) was appointed and formal administration occurred, you will typically finish with a final account, petition for distribution and discharge, and a court order.
• If there was no formal probate or the estate qualifies for a small-estate collection procedure, you may use the small-estate affidavit or other simplified remedies. See the Washington small estates statutes: RCW Chapter 11.62.

2. Gather the documents you’ll need to prove a zero balance

Collect, organize, and retain copies of:

• Death certificate.
• Estate inventory showing all assets that existed when the decedent died (bank accounts, vehicles, real property, personal property, retirement accounts, life insurance, etc.). If there were none, a signed inventory stating that fact.
• Bank statements and account closing statements showing zero balances or that funds were withdrawn and distributed.
• Receipts or cancelations for distributions to heirs or creditors (canceled checks, receipts, beneficiary releases).
• Creditor claim records: copies of any filed claims and proof they were paid, rejected, or time-barred; or a record showing no creditor claims were filed.
• Any prior court filings in the probate file (letters of appointment, inventories previously filed, reports to the court).

3. If the estate was administered formally: file a final account and petition for discharge

When a personal representative handled estate administration, the usual closing steps are:

1. Prepare a final account showing: opening balances, receipts collected, payments to creditors and administrative expenses, distributions to heirs, and the ending balance (showing zero).
2. Prepare a petition for distribution and discharge asking the superior court to approve the final account, distribute any remaining property, and discharge the personal representative from further duties.
3. Serve notice to interested persons and creditors as required by statute and court rules so they have an opportunity to object. See general probate rules and notice requirements in Washington statutes and local rules; review RCW Chapter 11.76 and local superior court probate procedures.
4. Submit proposed orders for distribution and discharge and attend a hearing if the court schedules one. If the court approves, it will enter an order formally closing the estate and discharging the representative.

Relevant law on final accounts and settlement is found throughout Title 11 of the Revised Code of Washington; a good starting point is RCW Title 11 (Probate).

4. If no formal probate was opened or the estate is small: consider small-estate procedures

Washington’s small-estate rules allow someone entitled to distribution to collect personal property without full probate in certain situations. If the decedent left only small personal property or assets that pass outside probate, you may use a small-estate affidavit or similar collection affidavit to show there are no probate assets to administer. See RCW Chapter 11.62 for Washington’s small estate provisions.

5. How to show “zero balance” clearly to the court

• File a complete final account that adds up to zero after distributions and expenses. The accounting should reconcile every asset and liability that was in the inventory.
• If accounts were closed, attach bank statements or bank-issued closure statements that prove the balance is zero or that funds were distributed per the inventory.
• If assets were transferred by beneficiary designation (life insurance, retirement accounts), provide beneficiary statements or documentation showing funds passed outside probate.
• If there were no assets at all, file a sworn statement or inventory stating that fact and cite the applicable small-estate statute or ask the court to close the file for want of assets.
• Provide proof regarding creditors — either that no claims were received within the statutory period or that any claims were handled (paid, settled, or rejected). See creditor claim procedures in RCW Chapter 11.40.

6. Court order and discharge

After the court reviews the final account or affidavit and any objections, the judge will enter an order approving the account, directing distribution (if any), and discharging the personal representative. That order is the formal judicial closure of the estate and is what you should retain as proof the estate is closed.

7. Practical examples of filings you might use

• Final Account and Petition for Distribution and Discharge (for a formally administered estate).
• Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property / Small-Estates Affidavit (if eligible under RCW 11.62).
• Affidavit of no assets or Motion to Close Estate for want of assets (when the probate file shows no estate property).

8. Local forms and where to file

Washington superior courts handle probate. Use your county’s superior court clerk’s office for filing. The Washington Courts website provides probate forms and resources: Washington Courts – Court Forms. Also consult local county superior court probate pages for local filing procedures and fees.

9. When to get an attorney

Consider hiring an estate attorney if any of the following apply:

• Creditors have filed claims or there are disputes about claims.
• Heirs or beneficiaries disagree about distributions or the accounting.
• There are tax concerns, complex assets, or out-of-state property.
• Estate paperwork is missing or incomplete and you need help preparing court filings.

Helpful Hints

• Start by making a complete written inventory. Even if the inventory shows nothing, a signed inventory helps the court see you searched for assets.
• Keep original bank/closing statements, not just screenshots. Courts prefer official bank documents or certified copies when available.
• If you used a small-estate affidavit, confirm you meet all eligibility rules in RCW 11.62 before relying on that path: RCW Chapter 11.62.
• Provide clear, chronological accounting entries. Judges and clerks handle many files; clarity speeds review.
• File the closing paperwork even when there is nothing to distribute. That creates an official record that the estate is closed and protects you from future claims.
• When in doubt, call the clerk of the superior court where the probate file is open and ask which forms they accept for final accounting or closing for want of assets.

Important resources

• Washington Revised Code of Washington — Title 11 (probate and related statutes): RCW Title 11.
• Washington small-estate statutes (collection by affidavit): RCW Chapter 11.62.
• Creditor claims and related procedures: RCW Chapter 11.40.
• Washington Courts — probate forms and clerk contacts: https://www.courts.wa.gov/forms.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this is general information, not legal advice. Probate procedures vary with facts and local rules. For help preparing forms or addressing disputes, consult a licensed Washington attorney or contact your county superior court clerk.