Probate in Washington · 39 counties

Washington Probate Courts

Estates here go through the Superior Court (Probate & Guardianship Division). Pick a county on the map or search below — each record shows where to file and where every detail comes from.

Small-estate limit

$100,000

Wait 40 days

Death taxes

Yes

Estate tax over $3 million

Executor fee

Reasonable

Reasonable fee set by the court

Handwritten wills

Witnesses required

Plate · WA

Every Washington county, on one map

Population, low → high courthouse probate office checked

§ I

Washington probate rules

Court: Superior Court (Probate & Guardianship Division)In Washington State, probate cases are adjudicated in the County Superior Court. Washington is a non-intervention state allowing personal representatives broad unsupervised authority.
Small estates: $100,000 personal property (net of liens); real property not includedRCW § 11.62.010 (Small Estate Affidavit)
Filing the will: Must file original will with Superior Court Clerk within 30 days of notice of death (RCW § 11.20.010)
Creditor claims: Later of 4 months after first publication of notice or 30 days after actual notice; if no notice given, 24 months after deathRCW § 11.40.051
Executor fees: Reasonable compensation approved by Superior Court under RCW § 11.48.210RCW § 11.48.210 · calculator
Estate tax: Yes — exemption $3 millionWashington exclusion is $3,076,000 for deaths Jan 1-Jun 30, 2026 (top rate 35%) and $3,000,000 for deaths on or after July 1, 2026, when 2026 legislation rolled rates back to the prior 10%-20% schedule and froze the exclusion.
Inheritance tax: NoneNo state inheritance tax in Washington.
Typical duration: 6 to 12 months
Official courts site: courts.wa.govCase search: Washington Courts Odyssey Public Access Portal

Re-checked Sept 2026 against: app.leg.wa.gov (statute) · merceradvisors.com · stokeslaw.com (statute)

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§ II · Register

All 39 counties

Sorted by population. office checked = probate office address/phone confirmed on the court's own website. courthouse mapped = located in OpenStreetMap.

#	County	Seat	Population	Record
1	King County	Seattle	2,271,380	office checked
2	Pierce County	Tacoma	928,696	office checked
3	Snohomish County	Everett	844,761	office checked
4	Spokane County	Spokane	551,455	office checked
5	Clark County	Vancouver	521,150	courthouse mapped
6	Thurston County	Olympia	299,003	courthouse mapped
7	Kitsap County	Port Orchard	277,658	county site
8	Yakima County	Yakima	256,643	courthouse mapped
9	Whatcom County	Bellingham	231,919	courthouse mapped
10	Benton County	Prosser	215,219	courthouse mapped
11	Skagit County	Mount Vernon	131,417	courthouse mapped
12	Cowlitz County	Kelso	112,864	courthouse mapped
13	Grant County	Ephrata	102,678	courthouse mapped
14	Franklin County	Pasco	99,034	courthouse mapped
15	Island County	Coupeville	86,267	county site
16	Lewis County	Chehalis	86,154	courthouse mapped
17	Chelan County	Wenatchee	79,997	courthouse mapped
18	Clallam County	Port Angeles	77,616	courthouse mapped
19	Grays Harbor County	Montesano	77,290	courthouse mapped
20	Mason County	Shelton	68,389	courthouse mapped
21	Walla Walla County	Walla Walla	61,568	courthouse mapped
22	Stevens County	Colville	48,837	courthouse mapped
23	Whitman County	Colfax	48,012	courthouse mapped
24	Kittitas County	Ellensburg	45,508	courthouse mapped
25	Douglas County	Waterville	44,798	courthouse mapped
26	Okanogan County	Okanogan	43,712	courthouse mapped
27	Jefferson County	Port Townsend	33,714	courthouse mapped
28	Pacific County	South Bend	24,200	courthouse mapped
29	Klickitat County	Goldendale	23,589	courthouse mapped
30	Asotin County	Asotin	22,549	courthouse mapped
31	Adams County	Ritzville	20,820	courthouse mapped
32	San Juan County	Friday Harbor	18,566	courthouse mapped
33	Pend Oreille County	Newport	14,361	courthouse mapped
34	Skamania County	Stevenson	12,640	courthouse mapped
35	Lincoln County	Davenport	11,738	courthouse mapped
36	Ferry County	Republic	7,497	courthouse mapped
37	Wahkiakum County	Cathlamet	4,765	courthouse mapped
38	Columbia County	Dayton	4,053	courthouse mapped
39	Garfield County	Pomeroy	2,363	county site

§ III

Washington probate questions

What is the small estate affidavit limit in Washington?

$100,000 personal property (net of liens); real property not included (RCW § 11.62.010 (Small Estate Affidavit)). It can be used 40 days after death. Wait 40 days after death. Net personal property under $100,000. Real estate cannot be transferred via affidavit.

How are executor and administrator fees calculated in Washington?

Reasonable compensation approved by Superior Court under RCW § 11.48.210 (RCW § 11.48.210). Courts can award more for extraordinary services, such as running a business or litigation.

What is the creditor claim deadline for estates in Washington?

Later of 4 months after first publication of notice or 30 days after actual notice; if no notice given, 24 months after death (RCW § 11.40.051). Claims filed after the deadline are generally barred.

Does Washington recognize handwritten (holographic) wills?

No — witnesses are required. Washington does NOT recognize unwitnessed holographic wills executed in WA (RCW § 11.12.020 requires two witnesses).

Does Washington have a state estate tax or inheritance tax?

Yes, Washington taxes estates above $3 million. Washington exclusion is $3,076,000 for deaths Jan 1-Jun 30, 2026 (top rate 35%) and $3,000,000 for deaths on or after July 1, 2026, when 2026 legislation rolled rates back to the prior 10%-20% schedule and froze the exclusion. There is no inheritance tax.