What Is Probate?       Is a Probate Necessary?

PROBATE ADMINISTRATION

Probate from $595 + Costs

·   Will (if any) admitted

·   Administrator/Executor/Pers. Repr. appointed

·   Letters issued & Notices given

·   Estate closed

Surviving Spouses, Intimate Partners,

Other Relatives, Heirs, Beneficiaries, Close Friends,

Named Executors/Personal Representatives

• What do I do now?
   

• Is a probate necessary?
  Can I avoid it?  How do I begin it?
   

• The Bank says "We need Letters."
  How do I obtain them?
   

• Decedent's Will nominates me as Executor / Personal Representative.  What do I do next?
   

• Decedent died without a Will.  How do I obtain authority to administer the estate?
   

• I live out-of-county or out-of-state.
  Can I serve as Personal Representative?
   

• Decedent didn't live in WA but owned property in WA.  How do I clear its title?

Don't want to deal with the legal forms?

Don't want to go to the Courthouse?

Live out of state &

don't want to have to come to WA?

Have the probate filed & get appointed as Administrator/Executor/Personal Representative

without leaving your home or office

(except for one Notarized signature)

Let us do the legal work & go to the Courthouse for you

.

Probate from $595 + Costs

Thank you for making this an "as easy as can be" experience.  [California]

Thank you once again for your genuine concern, responsiveness, integrity, and above all, great competence.  I have had many "lawyer experiences" in both my professional and personal life, and this one with you distinguishes itself in all measurable dimensions.  I wish there was a way for me to help others facing the prospect of probating an estate, especially from out of state.  Your model is unique, understandable, straight-forward, and efficient, with you providing the guidance and local, manual execution.  It is of highest quality, and unbelievably affordable (never thought I would declare those words to a lawyer!).  Doing this process with you really is, "the only way to fly!".  Again, you have my, and my family's, sincerest appreciation and respect.  [Arizona]

Thank you so very much for the job you did for me. Throughout the process, I dealt with so many different agencies and people.  Of all those, you stood out repeatedly as a stellar performer ... always timely, precise, and perfect in every way. Thanks again.  [Bellingham]

Thanks for your help in handling [my mother's] estate.  It really made my work load a lot easier to manage.  I will not hesitate to recommend your services to others who need estate assistance.   [Attorney in Seattle litigation firm]

Thanks again for everything.  You said I could do this mostly myself and you were right!  I certainly will highly recommend you to others.  [Spokane]

Thank you for your expeditious handling of my mother's probate.  I certainly didn't expect (or fortunately require) such quick action.  As an Airline Pilot for almost 30 years,  I have become accustomed to a methodical, systematic, detail oriented approach to things, and your performance here (as well as your extremely comprehensive website) was far more than I ever expected.  As a simple guy, my experience with all things legal is almost nil.  I'm still not sure exactly what you did or how you did it (just as the layman doesn't really comprehend what I do or how I do it), but nevertheless I am amazed at the speed and ease in which this matter was handled.  [Kirkland]

[From brother:]  That is truly good news!  [My sister, the estate's PR] and I have been extraordinarily fortunate in having you as our attorney. I am very grateful for your straightforward advice.  ... [From sister:]   I echo my brother’s sentiments in thanking you. You have provided more than we ever expected, not only in positive results but in your thoughtful advice and prompt responses.  [Massachusetts]

I have not had dealings with a lawyer before except with real estate sales and Wills, but I had heard horror stories and was reluctant to use one.  I must say, it was not painful at all.  I felt that you dealt with me and the situation in a realistic and succinct manner.  You did not allow the machinations of [opposing counsel] to bog you down.  I truly appreciated that.  Thank you for your help in settling this matter.  [Arizona]

 I was frustrated and confused by the response from [Decedent's care facility] and the funeral home when my brother died.  You made the situation understandable and smoothed out the later problems with the bank.  I appreciate the extra effort you made on my behalf with these matters.  The legal maze through probate is a complete mystery to me and went smoothly thanks to you.  I can't think of anything more you could have done.  [California]

Thanks, Mr. Wills! Your website is a real blessing for those seeking assistance from a distance -- usually during difficult times -- in the Internet age! If I EVER learn of someone needing a probate attorney in Washington, you will get my unqualified recommendation! Your advice has been invaluable. Your rates have been reasonable. Your character and dedication have been beyond question. You've been great to work with and I know that all involved are so appreciative of that fact.  [Kansas]

I can’t think of any suggestions for improvement. You did a splendid job for me. The whole process seemed to go very smoothly. I never felt under pressure. You were always available via Email and answered my questions promptly. I especially liked the way you attached the needed forms and step-by-step instructions to your Email messages.  I would have had a difficult time going through the process without your guidance, filing of documents, and representation at the Court proceedings. I don’t have an estimate of the time and travel I would have spent doing it myself, but know it would have been considerable. As it turned out I only made one trip to Seattle in order to prepare the house for sale. I never once visited the King County Courthouse; but if it is like California Courthouses, a lot of time can be spent there for seemingly simple things. I know that being unfamiliar with the processes and being from out of state would have presented me with “challenges.”  [California]

Simple Probate Questions Answered for Free

PROBATE LITIGATION & PROBLEM SOLVING

Professional advice & assistance with all types of

probate problems, for example:

Already Appointed Personal Representatives ---

• A problem has arisen or someone has objected.  How do I resolve it?
   

• How do I resolve a "stale" or "messy" probate & get it "back on track" and closed?
   

• I've received an Order on Case Review from the Court, saying that I have to close the estate within a month.  How do I do it or obtain an extension of time?

Co-Personal Representatives ---

• One of us wants to do one thing, and the other wants to do the exact opposite.  How do we resolve this tug-of-war?

Heirs and Beneficiaries ---

• Somebody (a "probate Godzilla") is sitting on the Will, won't file it with the Court, won't give me a copy of it, and is playing "Executor" without having been appointed by the Court.  How can I put a stop to that, get a copy of the Will, and begin the probate?
   

• I believe I'm entitled to property from the estate?  How do I obtain it?
   

• That document may be labeled "Will" but I think it's invalid or not what the Decedent wanted.
  How can I get the Will set aside?
   

• I am supposed to receive property from the estate, but I don't live in WA.  How can I protect my interests at a distance?
   

• The probate's been going on forever.  How can I get it closed and its property distributed?
   

• The PR's playing fast and loose with the estate.  How do I get the PR removed & replaced with someone who will follow the law, close the probate, and distribute its assets to those entitled to them?
   

• The PR's asked me to sign a Consent for his/her actions & a Receipt for a lot less than I expected.  How do get the PR to file an Accounting and give me what I'm entitled to receive?
   

• How do I object to the fees the PR is paying him/herself & his/her attorney?

  Surviving Spouses ---

• Decedent's Will gives all our community property to others.  How can I ensure that I retain my half of our community property?
   

• Decedent's Will nominates another as Personal Representative.  How may I continue to manage our community property?
   

• How do I obtain a family allowance?
   

• Decedent's Will was made before we were married and neither names nor provides for me.  How may I obtain a share of the estate?
   

• How do I deal with the claims to the property by Decedent's children of a prior marriage?

  Intimate Partners ---

• Regardless of how title to property was held, WA law provides that I may be entitled to a portion of the estate.  How may I obtain it?

  Will Problems ---

• The Will is:

  • Forged or

  • Not witnessed or

  • Lost or destroyed or

  • Ambiguous in its provisions etc.
     

• The Will was made:

  • Under undue influence & gives an unnatural amount of property to the influencer.

  • Before the marriage or the birth of a child & fails to provide for the spouse or child.
     

• Decedent promised to make a Will saying one thing and now the Will says something else.

  Asset Problems ---

• Decedent's home is in foreclosure.
   

• Somebody's living in Decedent's home rent-free and won't pay rent or get out.
   

• Somebody else (for example, a co-owner or Decedent's intimate partner) is claiming ownership to Decedent's home or other property.
   

• One of the heirs or beneficiaries wants to buy Decedent's home or other property and other heirs or beneficiaries want it sold.
   

• The surviving spouse claims all the property is community property, but I know Decedent owned some of it before the marriage and kept it separate.

  Nonprobate Asset Problems ---

• Decedent created a joint tenancy/right of survivorship account "for convenience only" --- for depositing income and paying bills & funeral expenses --- & now the surviving joint tenant is claiming all the account by right of survivorship.
   

• Decedent had a life insurance policy or IRA account & had named a survivorship beneficiary for it but the beneficiary has died or other problems have arisen.

  Debtor/Creditor Problems ---

• Decedent died insolvent --- having more debt than assets.  Am I responsible for it?  I want to use what assets there are to settle the debt & get the creditors off my back.  How do I do it?
   

• Decedent died having received Medicaid or public assistance.  The estate may be subject to reimbursement to DSHS for it.  What can I do to minimize or eliminate that possibility?
   

• I'm a creditor.  How do I get promptly paid?

  Conflicted Fiduciaries Engaging
   in Self-Dealing Transactions ---

• I'm caught in a situation in which a fiduciary (Lawyer, Executor, Administrator, Personal Representative, Guardian, Attorney-in-Fact, Trustee, Care-taker, etc.) has a conflict of interest (is also a potential heir or beneficiary; is acting in multiple capacities in a transaction, eg, buyer, seller, broker; has something to gain individually) and is engaging in a self-dealing transaction (his/her actions in a fiduciary capacity directly or indirectly benefit him/her or his/her friends or acquaintances).  How can I ensure that the fiduciary's actions are fair and impartial, and that he/she is not taking personal advantage of his/her fiduciary position?

Richard,

On behalf of my brother and myself, I would like to thank you for the work you did. You have responded and informed me quickly regarding what needed to be done, and I appreciate that.  If the bank needs anything else, I will get in contact with you.  Please accept our thanks during what we expected to be a difficult process in what is still an emotional time.

I hope to never have to go through this process again, but if I do, I will definitely call on you.  If someone I know needs help, I will strongly recommend you.

I am still amazed we were able to complete this process without meeting face to face, and without considerable time and documentation.

Thank you for you time and help during a difficult process.

Sincerely,  Sarah  [Seattle]