King & Snohomish County Washington Probate Attorney
The last thing most people in Washington want to deal with following a loved one’s death is appearing in probate court, but you will want to have a Lynnwood probate lawyer should you find yourself having to deal with probate issues. Probate refers to the legal process of transferring the property of a deceased person to their heirs, and the process will be overseen by the Superior Court of Washington State.
Washington state law does not necessarily require a probate proceeding after death, regardless of whether a person dies with or without a will. When it comes to dividing an estate without a will, a court will follow Washington state law of intestate succession on how to divide the estate under Revised Code of Washington (RCW) § 11.04.015.
Probate Issues in Washington
An estate with less than $100,000 in assets may be able to avoid probate when there are no liens on the property or unpaid debts through the small estate affidavit process. A personal representative or the executor named in a will is responsible for submitting an accurate account of a deceased person’s estate and a plan for dispersing assets and possessions to beneficiaries.
When a person dies, it will be the personal representative or executor in the deceased person’s will who starts the probate process. If there is no will, it will usually be an heir who starts the probate process.
A probate attorney will be beneficial in all cases because they can handle all court procedures, including the establishment of an executor through the court. You will also have multiple pleadings to file with the probate court, including an inventory and appraisal of all estate assets.
Creditors of the estate have to be given notice of a probate action, and a lawyer will know how to minimize any estate taxes so the bulk of the estate can be passed to beneficiaries instead of the government. Guardianship issues also arise in cases of minor children who have lost parents.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Consultation with a King & Snohomish County Probate Lawyer
Will you be dealing with the probate court in the state of Washington? An experienced King or Snohomish County probate lawyer at Bountiful Law can assist you every step of the way.
Our firm has a wealth of experience dealing with probate issues and knows how to help clients achieve the most favorable outcomes. You can call 425.775.9700 or contact us online to receive a consultation that will allow us to dig into the details of your case and recommend your next course of action.
