Can I recover personal items removed by heirs before I took possession and enforce the court's order? — WA
Detailed Answer — Recovering Personal Items Removed by Heirs in Washington Short answer: Yes—often you can recover personal property that heirs removed before you took possession, but the right remedy and process depend on the type of court order you have (probate order, writ of possession, judgment in a civil case, etc.), when the items […]
Read article →What steps do I need to follow as executor to sell real property to pay estate debts? — WA
How an executor (personal representative) sells real property in Washington to pay estate debts Quick overview: If you are the estate's personal representative in Washington, selling real property to pay debts requires following probate rules: get authority to act (letters), determine whether the will or statute gives you a power to sell without court approval, […]
Read article →Can heirs of a deceased sibling be included in a partition action, and how do I add them? (WA)
Can heirs of a deceased sibling be included in a Washington partition action, and how do I add them? This FAQ-style guide explains how heirs of a deceased sibling may be brought into a partition action in Washington, how to identify who should be joined, and the practical steps to add them to the case. […]
Read article →What Happens to a Safe Deposit Box After Someone Dies in WA?
Detailed Answer This FAQ explains how safe deposit boxes are commonly handled after a person dies in Washington state. It covers who can get access, what banks typically require, how a personal representative (executor) gets control, and practical next steps to protect valuable items. This is general information, not legal advice. Who controls access to […]
Read article →When Can an Executor Be Removed in Washington (WA)?
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Washington, a personal representative (the term Washington law uses instead of “executor”) can be removed by the superior court that appointed them if interested persons show cause — for example, incapacity, misconduct, failure to perform duties, misappropriation of estate assets, conflict of interest, refusal to account, or other grounds that […]
Read article →What Is "Probate in Common Form" in Washington (WA)?
Understanding the Equivalent of “Probate in Common Form” Under Washington Law Detailed answer — what this process means in Washington Some states use the phrase “probate in common form” to describe a relatively informal way to admit a will to probate without a full contested hearing. Washington does not commonly use that exact phrase. However, […]
Read article →How can I close an estate bank account and obtain the required closing statement in Washington (WA)?
Brief answer Closing an estate bank account in Washington usually means the personal representative (executor or administrator) uses their court-issued authority to pay estate debts and taxes, make required filings, prepare a final accounting or closing statement, and then distribute the remaining funds to the beneficiaries. Most banks will require proof of the representative's authority […]
Read article →Is probate administration required when there is no will in WA?
Detailed answer Short answer: Not always. Whether you must open a probate estate in Washington depends on what the decedent owned, how those assets are titled, whether creditors must be paid, and whether the estate qualifies for simplified procedures under Washington law. How Washington law treats an estate with no will When a person dies […]
Read article →How to properly document and file receipts for payments to heirs or service providers in an estate — WA
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Washington, the personal representative (executor or administrator) should document every estate payment with clear, date-stamped proof (invoices, canceled checks or bank statements, signed receipts or releases) and keep an organized accounting file. When required, file an inventory and an accounting with the court and use those records to support distributions […]
Read article →How can next of kin qualify to be appointed as the estate administrator in Washington (WA)?
Detailed Answer Short overview: In Washington, a decedent’s next of kin can become the personal representative (often called the estate administrator when there is no will) by filing a petition in superior court, meeting statutory eligibility rules, following the priority rules for appointment, taking an oath, and—unless waived—posting any required bond. The process and the […]
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