Which statements and financial documents are required for annual and final probate accountings in WA?
Detailed Answer Short answer: For Washington probate accountings (both periodic/annual accountings when required and the final accounting before closing an estate), the court expects a clear, court-ready accounting that shows (1) what property the estate had, (2) what money and property came in, (3) what was paid out, and (4) how the remaining assets will […]
Read article →What steps can heirs take to resolve an elective share dispute through mediation in WA?
When heirs and a surviving spouse disagree about the spouse's elective share in a Washington estate, mediation often resolves disputes faster, cheaper, and with less family conflict than litigation. The steps below explain how heirs can prepare for and participate in effective mediation under Washington law. Detailed answer: Steps heirs should take to resolve an […]
Read article →What steps can be taken to verify or contest a creditor’s payoff quote on an estate debt? (WA)
How to verify or contest a creditor’s payoff quote for an estate debt in Washington Quick overview: When a creditor gives a payoff quote for a debt of a deceased person, the personal representative (executor/administrator) and heirs should verify that the amount is accurate before the estate pays. In Washington, creditor claims against an estate […]
Read article →What is the process for negotiating a creditor’s payoff amount in estate administration (WA)?
When someone administers an estate in Washington, creditors often present claims for debts. Negotiating a creditor’s payoff amount is a common part of estate administration. This article explains the step‑by‑step process a personal representative (also called an executor or administrator) should follow, what legal rules to watch for, and practical negotiation strategies under Washington law. […]
Read article →How to submit an affidavit accounting for personal property in a small estate case — WA
FAQ — Submitting an affidavit to collect a decedent's personal property in a Washington small estate Detailed answer — how the small‑estate affidavit process works in Washington Washington law provides a simplified way for someone entitled to a decedent's personal property to collect that property without opening a full probate. The relevant statutory framework is […]
Read article →What records are needed to show asset transfers under small estate procedures in WA?
FAQ: What records do I need to show asset transfers under Washington small estate procedures? Short answer To use Washington's small estate procedures you will need a certified death certificate, a properly completed small-estate affidavit or similar statutory form, clear documentation identifying each asset and its value, and proof that you are entitled to receive […]
Read article →What are the legal requirements and process for transferring a decedent’s firearms during probate in WA?
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For advice about a specific estate, contact a Washington attorney who handles probate and firearms law. Quick answer — how firearms are handled in a Washington probate When someone dies in Washington, firearms they owned are estate property. The personal representative (executor) […]
Read article →What documentation is needed to prove ownership when filing a surplus funds claim in WA?
FAQ: Proving Ownership for a Surplus Funds Claim in Washington Detailed Answer When a foreclosure or sheriff's sale produces money left over after the sale pays higher-priority liens, those leftover funds ("surplus" or "overage") may be claimed by the person or entity with a legal right to them. In Washington, the rules for foreclosure and […]
Read article →How to protect life insurance proceeds when there is no named beneficiary from creditor claims in estate administration — WA
Protecting Life Insurance Proceeds When No Beneficiary Is Named — Washington Brief overview If a life insurance policy has no living named beneficiary (or the named beneficiary predeceased the insured and no contingent beneficiary exists), many insurers will pay proceeds to the insured person's estate. When proceeds are payable to the estate they typically become […]
Read article →What should I do if an heir refuses to return estate property and the estate is still open? (WA)
What to do when an heir keeps estate property while probate is open — Washington Detailed Answer Quick overview: If the estate is still open and an heir refuses to return property that belongs to the estate, the probate court in Washington has tools to recover that property. The personal representative (formerly called executor or […]
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