Executor Duties in Washington

Main duties and deadlines for a Washington personal representative: within 20 days after appointment, serve or mail written notice of the appointment and the pending probate to each heir, legatee and devisee and to each beneficiary or transferee of a nonprobate asset whose name and address are known, and file proof by affidavit; within three months after appointment (unless the court allows more time), make and verify a true inventory and appraisement of the probate estate and provide copies to heirs and beneficiaries who request them; optionally publish and mail notice to creditors (creditors given actual notice generally must present claims by the later of 30 days after notice or four months after first publication; if no notice is given, claims are barred 24 months after death); pay claims, expenses and taxes; distribute; and close the estate, for example by filing a declaration of completion of probate when the personal representative has nonintervention powers.

The superior court of the county handles probate. The court admits the will and issues letters testamentary to the named executor, or appoints an administrator and issues letters of administration if there is no will (or no executor), giving priority to the surviving spouse or registered domestic partner, then next of kin and others. Bond is required unless the will waives it, the entire estate passes to a surviving spouse or partner, a bank or trust company serves, or the court waives it. A nonresident may serve after appointing an agent for service. The court may grant 'nonintervention powers,' letting the personal representative administer the estate without further court orders. Washington DOL accepts letters testamentary, letters of administration, or a completed county clerk certificate for vehicle transfers.

If the personal representative publishes notice to creditors, a creditor who was given actual notice must present a claim by the later of 30 days after the notice was served or mailed, or four months after first publication. A creditor who was not reasonably ascertainable must present a claim within four months after first publication. If no notice is given, claims are barred 24 months after the date of death. The bar applies to both probate and nonprobate assets.