The probate period after the death of a loved one is often fraught with lots of red tape. One of the most common and most expensive parts of probate is the handling of real estate, including the sale of a house. Steps of probate with real estate Ideally, the person...
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Estate Administration & Probate
What is ancillary probate, and how does it work?
All Washington adults should have an estate plan. However, if they own property in another state, it can complicate matters as that property must go through ancillary probate after their death. This is what that means and how it works. Understanding ancillary probate...
Deciding whether to create a TOD in Washington State
There are many estate planning tools you can use in Washington State to prevent your loved ones from going through the costly, exhausting and time-consuming probate process when receiving their assets. The most popular way to achieve this is, of course, establishing a...
Who can serve as executor in Washington?
When it's time to choose the executor of your estate, you may not realize that you can't choose just anyone. Washington has certain restrictions in place on who can serve as executors. Adults of sound mind Minors can't serve as executors of estates. The person whom...
The top three benefits of avoiding probate
When someone dies in Washington, their assets must be distributed in a specific order set forth by law. This process is known as "probate." While probate is necessary in some cases, there are many situations where it isn't ideal, so formulating your estate plans to...
When probate involves debts and mortgages
Losing someone you care deeply about is always difficult. But when an unpaid debt or a mortgage is added into the mix, things only get harder. Fortunately, with enough information and planning, it's entirely possible to use probate in a Washington courtroom to put...
Proof of lost or destroyed will
The process of probate ideally happens with a single, authoritative will that allocates assets in a way that cannot be easily challenged. But not every estate process is that simple. There is sometimes a lost or destroyed will. In those instances, Washington state law...
Understand the nuances of estate administration and probate
Knowing the ins and outs of estate planning can be essential if you are planning for your future. If you have CDs, retirement accounts, or own real estate in Washington, it's a good idea to set up a plan for how your assets are going to be distributed after your...
What is a transfer on death (TOD) beneficiary?
When people in Washington consider their plans for the future, they may want to consider not only making out their will or developing a trust but also assigning proper beneficiaries for bank accounts and other funds. A transfer on death beneficiary named on an account...
The simplified probate process in Washington
Simplified probate makes it easier for a surviving spouse or beneficiary to collect the remaining estate. There are faster, more streamlined ways of transferring a deceased person's assets in Washington. Streamlining the process Most states have simplified versions of...