Category: FAQ

  • What Happens when an Executor does not Perform their Necessary Duties?

    What happens when an executor does not perform their necessary duties? The process involved with handling an estate requires that certain tasks be performed by an executor. When a person dies with a will, the estate will generally have to go through the probate process in accordance with Washington laws before property can be distributed to beneficiaries. The testator (the deceased maker of the will) will have named an executor to take charge of the process of administering the estate. There are many legal requirements that executors must perform. The process can involve much more than simply taking property and handing it out to beneficiaries. Instead, the duties of an executor can include the following: Take inventory of the property and assets

  • What is the Washington state probate process?

    What is Probate? Probate is a court-supervised legal process that may be required after someone dies. Probate gives someone, usually the surviving spouse or other close family member, authority to gather the deceased person’s assets, pay debts and taxes, and eventually transfer assets to the people who inherit them. Probate Process in Washington State Probate in Washington typically takes six months to a year, depending on some choices the executor makes.  It can take much longer if there is a court fight over the will or unusual assets or debts that complicate matters. Unless there is a dispute, it's mainly a matter of filing paperwork. What Happens During the Washington State Probate Process The following tasks are accomplished throu

  • Washington State – Frequently Asked Probate Questions

    • February, 10, 2016
    • FAQ

    What is Probate? Probate is the process through which the estate of a decedent that has passed away with or without a will is administered. Common issues that are addressed in the probate process include transferring assets to beneficiaries, paying the debts of the estate, establishing the validity of a will,1 and paying any taxes that may be due. What are the problems associated with probate? The probate process can cost an estate a significant amount of money due to legal and administrative costs. In addition, when an estate goes through probate, it can delay the transfer of assets for months or even years. Finally, the probate process is a matter of public record, so going through the probate process opens up an estate’s affairs to financial scr

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