Washington — If Mediation Fails in a Partition or Probate Dispute: What Happens Next
Quick answer If mediation does not produce a full agreement in a Washington partition or probate dispute, you do not have to accept the mediator’s outcome — but unresolved issues usually move back into the court process. Mediation is designed to encourage settlement, not to replace the court. If parties cannot settle, the case proceeds […]
Read article →Washington — How to Open Probate for a Sibling’s Estate from Out of State
Detailed Answer — Opening probate for a sibling’s estate while you live out of state (Washington law) Short answer: If your sibling died owning assets that require a court-supervised transfer, you (or someone named in the will) can open probate in the Washington Superior Court for the county where the decedent lived or where the […]
Read article →Settling a Parent's Estate in Washington and Handling Property in Another State
Detailed Answer: How to settle a Washington estate and deal with property located in another state Short overview: If your parent was a Washington domiciliary (their legal home was in Washington), you generally open probate in Washington Superior Court for their probate assets. Real property or certain accounts located in another state often require an […]
Read article →Washington: How to Transfer Real Property to a Child After a Spouse Dies
Step-by-step guide to transferring real property after a spouse dies (Washington) Disclaimer: This article explains common Washington procedures and legal concepts. It is not legal advice. Laws change and every situation is different. Contact a Washington attorney or the local county offices for guidance specific to your facts. Detailed Answer When a spouse dies, the […]
Read article →Washington: Should You Use a Transfer‑on‑Death Deed or Payable‑on‑Death Designation if Your Will Leaves Everything to Your Daughter?
Detailed Answer — how wills, TOD deeds, and POD designations interact under Washington law Short answer: yes — a will alone does not always accomplish an immediate, automatic transfer of every asset. In Washington, a will governs how property that passes through probate is distributed. But many common ways assets transfer at death bypass probate […]
Read article →Washington — Appraisal Cost Reimbursement in Estate Buyouts
Detailed Answer Short answer: Possibly — but it depends on who ordered and paid for the appraisal, whether the appraisal was reasonably necessary for estate administration or the buyout, any written agreement among the heirs (or with the personal representative), and whether you are willing to ask a court to require reimbursement. Under Washington law, […]
Read article →How to Transfer a Deceased Parent's House to Heirs in Washington
Detailed Answer This section explains, under Washington law, the typical paths to put real property titled in a deceased parent's name into the names of their children when the parent died without a will. It covers how to find the heirs, when you can avoid full probate, and the steps to get the deed recorded […]
Read article →How to Assume or Keep a Deceased Parent’s Mortgage in Washington: A Practical FAQ
Detailed Answer Short summary: If you want to keep your deceased parent’s house and the mortgage in place in Washington, you must (1) determine how title to the home passes under Washington law, (2) notify and work with the mortgage lender about assumption or repayment options, and (3) complete the required title-transfer or probate steps […]
Read article →Proving Paternity for Inheritance in Washington
Proving legal parentage for inheritance in Washington — FAQ This FAQ explains common steps people use in Washington when a child needs to prove they are their deceased (or living) father's child for purposes of inheriting, and the father's name does not appear on the birth certificate. This is educational information only and is not […]
Read article →Protecting an Inheritance in Washington When an Estate Is Contested
Protecting an Inheritance When an Estate Is Challenged — Washington Law (FAQ) Short answer: Under Washington law, protecting an inheritance when someone contests an estate usually means acting quickly to preserve assets, documenting the decedent’s capacity and intentions, using probate-avoidance tools when possible (like trusts or beneficiary designations), and working with a probate attorney to […]
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