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Docket No. 40147 · Oklahoma

Washington County
Probate Court

In Oklahoma, estates are probated in the District Court (Probate Division). This page gathers where to file in Washington County, the state rules that apply, and where every detail comes from.

County website ↗ Directions ↗
County seat
Bartlesville
Population
53,706
Court
District Court
Record
Courthouse mapped
OK · 4014736°42′ N · 95°54′ W
● Washington County Courthouse Judicial Center
located via OpenStreetMap
Small-estate limit
$50,000
Wait 10 days after death
Creditor window
2 months
58 O.S. § 331
Executor fee
By statute
Percentage set by statute
Death taxes
None
No state death tax
§ I

Where to file in Washington County

Handled by
District Court (Probate Division)In Oklahoma, probate proceedings are conducted by the District Court in each county, filed through the Court Clerk.
County building
Washington County Courthouse Judicial Center 420 South Johnstone Avenue, Bartlesville, OK 74003 OpenStreetMap · view the map entry
Phone
No phone number published in an open source. Use the county website's contact page — we don't list numbers we can't source.
Opening hours
Not published in an open source. Check the court or county website before you go.
County website
countycourthouse.orgWikidata
State courts & e-filing
oscn.netCase search: Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) & OnDemand Court Records (ODCR)
§ II

How probate runs in Washington County

Six stages, with the Oklahoma rules that set the pace.

  1. 01

    Secure the original will

    Find the original signed will and order certified death certificates. Oklahoma deadline: Must deliver will to District Court within 30 days of knowledge of death (58 O.S. § 21).

  2. 02

    Pick the right track

    If the probate estate is under $50,000, a small-estate procedure (58 O.S. § 393 (Small Estate Affidavit)) may avoid full administration.

  3. 03

    Petition the court

    File the petition with the District Court (Probate Division) for Washington County. The court appoints the executor or administrator and issues letters.

  4. 04

    Inventory the estate

    Open an estate bank account (the IRS issues the EIN), list assets at date-of-death values and file the inventory if the court requires it.

  5. 05

    Notify creditors

    Publish or send notice to creditors. Window: 2 months after first publication of notice to creditors (58 O.S. § 331).

  6. 06

    Account and distribute

    Pay debts, taxes and fees (58 O.S. § 527), file the final account if required, distribute to heirs and ask to close the estate.

Need help with an estate in Washington County, Oklahoma?

Where to get help.

We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.

  1. 01 Oklahoma courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
  2. 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
  3. 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
§ III

Oklahoma rules that apply here

Probate law is state law — these apply in all 77 Oklahoma counties.

Small estates
$50,000 (personal property only)58 O.S. § 393 (Small Estate Affidavit) · wait 10 days
Filing the will
Must deliver will to District Court within 30 days of knowledge of death (58 O.S. § 21)
Creditor claims
2 months after first publication of notice to creditors (58 O.S. § 331)58 O.S. § 331
Executor fees
Statutory scale: 5% on first $1,000, 4% on next $5,000, 2.5% on amounts over $6,000 (58 O.S. § 527)58 O.S. § 527 · estimate the fee
Handwritten wills
Recognized. Oklahoma recognizes holographic wills entirely written, dated, and signed by the testator's own hand (84 O.S. § 54).
Estate tax
No state estate tax.Oklahoma estate tax was repealed effective January 1, 2010.
Inheritance tax
No.No inheritance tax in Oklahoma.
Typical duration
6 to 12 monthsA lawyer is not required by statute, though most formal estates use one.

Rules re-checked Sept 2026 against: secure.ssa.gov · law.justia.com (statute)

§ IV

Neighbouring probate courts

WashingtonNowataRogersOsageCraigTulsa
Related officeWashington County Clerk & RecorderDeath certificates, recorded deeds and marriage records for the estate file.uscountyclerks.com ↗ Related officeWashington County Property AppraiserAssessed values and parcel records for the estate inventory.uspropertyappraisers.com ↗
§ V

Questions about Washington County probate

Where is the Washington County Probate Court located?
In Oklahoma, probate is handled by the District Court (Probate Division). The Washington County Courthouse Judicial Center is mapped in OpenStreetMap at 420 South Johnstone Avenue, Bartlesville, OK 74003. Check the official county website (countycourthouse.org) to confirm which counter or building handles probate filings.
What is the small estate affidavit limit in Washington County, OK?
Small-estate rules are set by state law, so they are the same in every Oklahoma county: $50,000 (personal property only) (58 O.S. § 393 (Small Estate Affidavit)). The waiting period is 10 days.
How do I search probate case records in Washington County?
Start with the Oklahoma judiciary website (oscn.net), which points to Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) & OnDemand Court Records (ODCR). Older files and certified copies are requested from the probate clerk in Bartlesville.
What are the deadlines for filing a will and creditor claims in Washington County?
Will: Must deliver will to District Court within 30 days of knowledge of death (58 O.S. § 21). Creditors: 2 months after first publication of notice to creditors (58 O.S. § 331) (58 O.S. § 331).
How much can an executor charge in Washington County?
Oklahoma rule: Statutory scale: 5% on first $1,000, 4% on next $5,000, 2.5% on amounts over $6,000 (58 O.S. § 527) (58 O.S. § 527). You can estimate the amount with our executor fee calculator.