Washington State Probate Court Forms: A Complete List

The document that opens the estate. Filed with the Superior Court in the county where the decedent resided. Sets out the basic facts: who died, when, where they lived, whether there is a will, who the heirs are, and who is asking to be appointed as Personal Representative. This petition must be accompanied by the original will (if one exists) and a certified copy of the death certificate.

The court order signed by the judge that formally admits the will to probate, confirms that the will is valid, and appoints the Personal Representative. This is the document you present — along with Letters Testamentary — to financial institutions to prove you have authority to act. Some counties require the petitioner to draft this order; others have a clerk or commissioner prepare it.

The official court-issued credential authorizing the Personal Representative to act on behalf of the estate. Banks, brokerages, title companies, the DMV, and virtually every institution will require a certified copy of the Letters before releasing assets or accepting instructions. Letters are issued after the Order is signed and typically expire after a set period (often one year) — you can usually obtain extensions if the estate remains open. In intestate cases, the equivalent document is called Letters of Administration.

A legal notice that must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county for three consecutive weeks after Letters are issued. The publication triggers the four-month creditor claim period under RCW 11.40.020. The notice states that an estate has been opened, identifies the Personal Representative, and directs creditors to file claims within four months of first publication. You arrange publication directly with the newspaper and receive a proof of publication affidavit when the run is complete.

A complete listing of all probate assets owned by the decedent as of the date of death, with each asset's fair market value on that date. Required to be filed with the court in most estates. Includes real estate (with the date-of-death assessed or appraised value), financial accounts, investment accounts, vehicles, personal property, and any other probate assets. For real estate and certain business interests, a formal appraisal by a licensed appraiser may be needed to support the stated value.

A sworn declaration signed by the Personal Representative confirming that written notice was mailed to each known or reasonably ascertainable creditor of the estate. Under RCW 11.40.020, known creditors must receive individual written notice in addition to the published newspaper notice. This declaration is filed with the court as proof that the mailing requirement was satisfied. Include a list of each creditor notified and the date of mailing.

The complete accounting of the estate's administration: every asset received, every expense paid, every debt satisfied, and what remains for distribution. This document also proposes how the remaining assets should be distributed among the beneficiaries and requests court approval of the distribution. In a non-intervention estate, this accounting is filed as part of the closing process. Heirs must receive notice and have an opportunity to object before distribution is ordered.

The court order, signed by the judge, that approves the Final Report and directs the Personal Representative to distribute the remaining estate assets to the named beneficiaries in the specified amounts. Once this order is entered, the Personal Representative can make distributions and obtain receipts. Required in supervised administrations and in non-intervention estates that opt for a court-supervised closing rather than the Declaration of Completion procedure.

The streamlined closing mechanism available to non-intervention estates under RCW 11.68.110. Instead of seeking a formal court hearing to close the estate, the Personal Representative files a sworn declaration stating that all debts have been paid, all taxes have been filed, and the remaining assets have been distributed (or will be distributed as described). If no heir files a written objection within 30 days of receiving the Notice of Filing, the estate closes automatically — no judge required.

A required notice that must be mailed to all heirs and beneficiaries of the estate when the Declaration of Completion is filed. The 30-day objection period runs from the date this notice is mailed (or served). The Personal Representative must be able to prove that all required parties received this notice, so keep records of exactly when and how each notice was sent.

If the Personal Representative does not have non-intervention powers, or if a sale of real estate at a price below a certain threshold requires court approval, this petition is filed to obtain court authorization before proceeding with a sale. In non-intervention estates, real estate can typically be sold without this petition — but review local rules and the Order granting non-intervention powers to confirm the scope of authority.

When the person named as executor in the will chooses not to serve — due to the time commitment, family conflict, or any other reason — they file a Renunciation with the court. This document formally declines the appointment and clears the way for the next eligible person (typically the alternate executor named in the will, or a beneficiary who petitions to serve) to be appointed instead.