Washington executor and estate paperwork checklist

This is an organizer, not legal advice. An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation.

The first 30 days

Plain steps that apply wherever the person lived, with the small estate dates for this state. Ticks stay on your screen only.

1. Ask for certified death certificates, more than you thinkThe funeral director or vital records office issues them. Institutions often keep the copy you send, so plan on one each.
2. Check that Social Security has been toldThe funeral home usually reports it. Otherwise call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), and ask about the $255 lump-sum death payment for a surviving spouse or some children.
3. Find the original willLook for the signed original and any codicils (later changes). Keep the original safe and unaltered; make copies for yourself.
4. Look at the last pages of the willA sworn statement signed by the witnesses before an officer may be attached; what this state says about it is below.
5. Keep the house and vehicles safeTell the insurer about the death so coverage stays in place, take photos of what's inside, and redirect the mail.
6. Hold off on paying debts or giving things awayWait until you know which route applies and who has authority. If something can't wait, ask the probate clerk or an attorney.
7. Know that a power of attorney has endedA power of attorney ends when the principal dies; the agent's authority stops there.
8. Start an inventoryEvery account, property, vehicle and debt, with how each is held. Beneficiary and joint accounts usually pass directly, not through the estate.
9. Compare the estate with $100,000That's the small estate figure on this state's official page. Count only what the page says counts.
10. Count 40 days from the deathThat's when the official page says the small estate paperwork can be used.
11. Keep an account of every transactionWrite down each payment and each deposit with the date and a receipt; heirs and the court may ask to see it.
12. When appointed, get an EIN and open an estate accountPay estate bills from that account only. Form 1041 is due if the estate has more than $600 of gross income in a year (IRS).

Sources for the federal steps: Social Security Administration: When someone dies · IRS: Deceased taxpayers, filing the estate income tax return (Form 1041) · power of attorney: Power of attorney at a real estate closing.

The small estate route

• ConfirmedSmall estate limit

  Personal property up to $100,000, less liens and encumbrances, not counting the surviving spouse's or domestic partner's community property interest. The affidavit covers personal property, not real estate.

  "does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars"

  Sources: RCW 11.62.010, Small estate affidavit (Washington State Legislature); Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Washington (Nolo, updated 7/19/2022), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedReal estate

  Real estate isn't counted, and the affidavit doesn't transfer it; it needs its own route.

  Sources: RCW 11.62.010, Small estate affidavit (Washington State Legislature); Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Washington (Nolo, updated 7/19/2022), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedWaiting period after the death

  40 days. Forty days after the death.

  "At any time after forty days from the date of a decedent's death"

  Sources: RCW 11.62.010, Small estate affidavit (Washington State Legislature); Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Washington (Nolo, updated 7/19/2022), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedNotary or oath

  Sworn; a notary can give the oath. The affidavit is signed under oath; a notary can give the oath. The successor also gives written notice to the other successors at least 10 days before filing the affidavit.

  "signed under oath"

  Sources: RCW 11.62.010, Small estate affidavit (Washington State Legislature); Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Washington (Nolo, updated 7/19/2022), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedWhere the paperwork goes

  Handed to the bank or other holder. Given with proof of death to whoever holds the property; a copy with the person's Social Security number is mailed to the state's Office of Financial Recovery.

  Sources: RCW 11.62.010, Small estate affidavit (Washington State Legislature); Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Washington (Nolo, updated 7/19/2022), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedOfficial form

  No official form. RCW 11.62.010 prescribes no form; subsection (2) lists what the affidavit must state.

  Source: RCW 11.62.010, Small estate affidavit (Washington State Legislature), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedSimplified court procedure

  Nonintervention administration: A personal representative granted nonintervention powers can administer a solvent estate without the court's supervision; no dollar limit applies.

  Sources: RCW 11.62.010, Small estate affidavit (Washington State Legislature); Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Washington (Nolo, updated 7/19/2022), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedSurviving spouse

  The surviving spouse's or domestic partner's community property interest isn't counted toward the limit.

  "not including the surviving spouse's or surviving domestic partner's community property interest"

  Sources: RCW 11.62.010, Small estate affidavit (Washington State Legislature); Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Washington (Nolo, updated 7/19/2022), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedWorth knowing

  A claimant acting for other successors needs their written authority. Last amended 2008.

  Sources: RCW 11.62.010, Small estate affidavit (Washington State Legislature); Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Washington (Nolo, updated 7/19/2022), checked November 2026

The will at probate

When the will goes to the court, these signing rules are what it is checked against.

• ConfirmedWitnesses the will needed

  Two or more witnesses, who sign in the testator's presence or electronic presence.

  "attested by two or more competent witnesses"

  Sources: RCW Chapter 11.12, Wills (Washington State Legislature, combined chapter); RCW 11.20.020, Proof of will (Washington State Legislature); RCW 11.12.020, Requisites of wills (Washington State Legislature), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedSelf-proving affidavit

  Witnesses can sign an affidavit at the testator's request before any person authorized to administer oaths. The court accepts it as if given in court.

  "before any person authorized to administer oaths"

  Sources: RCW Chapter 11.12, Wills (Washington State Legislature, combined chapter); RCW 11.20.020, Proof of will (Washington State Legislature); RCW 11.12.020, Requisites of wills (Washington State Legislature), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedIf the will is handwritten

  Not recognized unless witnessed: every will must be signed and attested by two or more competent witnesses (RCW 11.12.020). The only exceptions are the electronic will sections.

  "every will shall be in writing signed by the testator"

  Source: RCW 11.12.020, Requisites of wills (Washington State Legislature), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedA witness who inherits

  The will stays valid. If fewer than two other disinterested witnesses signed, the law presumes a gift to the witness was improperly obtained; unless that is rebutted, the witness takes no more than an intestate share.

  "A will or any of its provisions is not invalid because it is signed by an interested witness."

  Sources: RCW Chapter 11.12, Wills (Washington State Legislature, combined chapter); RCW 11.20.020, Proof of will (Washington State Legislature); RCW 11.12.020, Requisites of wills (Washington State Legislature), checked November 2026

Documents to gather

• Pension, Social Security and benefit letters
• Safe deposit box location and keys
• Certified death certificates
• The original will and any codicils
• Deeds and mortgage statements
• Vehicle titles and registrations
• Recent bank, brokerage and retirement statements
• Life insurance policies and annuities
• The last few years of tax returns
• Recent bills, loan and credit card statements
• The official small estate form: No official form

Who to notify

Social Security (if the funeral home hasn't), Banks and credit unions, Brokerage and retirement accounts, Life insurance companies, Utilities and phone, Landlord or mortgage servicer, Credit card companies, Pension or employer. A brief letter and a copy of the death certificate usually start each one; note the date and the person you reached.

Documents needed abroad

• ConfirmedA death certificate needed abroad

  Apostilles for this state's documents come from the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations Division, Apostille and Certificate Program. $15 per document. Vital records: Certified by the Vital Records Administrator.

  Source: Washington Secretary of State, Corporations Division, Apostille and Certificate Program, checked November 2026

Where to ask

An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Official pages for Washington:

• Probate Shortcuts in Washington (Nolo, updated 7/19/2022)

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Facts checked November 2026.

Common questions

Related: Executor guide by state · Will signing requirements · Apostille steps · Estate paperwork help