King County
Executor Guide

Your step-by-step guide from

This guide is provided as a free educational resource by Pineapple Estates. It contains general information about the probate process in King County, Washington, and should not be construed as legal, tax, or financial advice.

No attorney-client relationship: Use of this guide does not create any professional relationship with Pineapple Estates.

No liability: While we strive for accuracy, Pineapple Estates makes no warranties about the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of this information. Any action you take based on this guide is strictly at your own risk, and Pineapple Estates will not be liable for any losses or damages in connection with its use.

Consult professionals: Every estate is unique. For legal advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney. For tax matters, consult a CPA or tax professional.

Laws change: This guide reflects laws and procedures as of 2025. Statutes, court rules, and fees may have changed since publication.

Priority actions

Focus on these critical tasks first. Everything else can wait.

⚡ This week

📋 Within two weeks

📞 Within 30 days

Understanding your role

As personal representative, you have legal authority to settle the estate.

⚖️ Your legal duties

✅ Your protections

💡 Bottom line: You have broad authority but must act in the estate's best interest. When in doubt, consult an attorney – the cost comes from the estate, not you.

Process & timeline

Washington probate typically takes 6-12 months. Here's what to expect:

Month 1: Opening probate

  • File petition with King County Superior Court
  • Receive Letters Testamentary
  • Publish creditor notice in approved newspaper
  • Get EIN from IRS
  • Open estate bank account

Months 2-4: Asset management

  • Complete full inventory
  • Get property appraised
  • Consolidate financial accounts
  • Address urgent property issues
  • Review all debts and obligations

Month 5: Creditor period ends

  • 4-month creditor claim period closes
  • Review and validate all claims
  • Pay approved creditors
  • Reject invalid claims in writing

Months 6-12: Distribution

  • File inventory with court
  • Prepare final tax returns
  • Sell property if needed
  • Make partial distributions if appropriate
  • Complete final distribution
  • File closing documents

Property decisions

The house is often the largest asset and most emotional decision. Take time to evaluate options carefully.

If selling

Reality Check: Managing property sale while handling probate can be overwhelming. Many executors spend 40+ hours coordinating cleanout, repairs, and sale preparation. Consider whether professional help might save time and stress during an already difficult period.

Preparation timeline:

  1. Family removes personal items (Week 1-2)
  2. Professional evaluation of contents (Week 3)
  3. Estate sale or donation (Week 4-5)
  4. Deep cleaning and repairs (Week 6-7)
  5. Staging if appropriate (Week 8)
  6. List property (Week 9)

Ongoing costs to consider

Creditors & debts

The four-month rule

Washington law gives creditors four months from first publication of your notice to file claims. After this period, most claims are barred forever.

Important: You must publish notice in an approved King County newspaper within 30 days of appointment. Keep proof of publication for your records.

Priority of payments

Washington law requires paying debts in this order:

  1. Funeral expenses (reasonable amount)
  2. Administration costs (court, attorney, accounting)
  3. Department of Social & Health Services claims
  4. Last illness medical expenses
  5. Wages owed to employees
  6. Other debts and taxes
  7. All other claims

Debts that don't transfer

These typically die with the person:

Exceptions: co-signed debt, joint accounts, community property obligations

💡 Bottom line: Publish your creditor notice immediately to start the 4-month clock. After that, most debts can't touch the estate. Never pay estate debts from your personal funds.

Digital assets

Digital accounts need immediate attention to preserve data and prevent security issues.

🚨 Handle immediately

📱 Platform requests

Google: Submit death certificate for account access

Facebook: Request memorialization with death certificate

Apple: Digital Legacy Contact or court order required

Microsoft: Next of kin process with death certificate

💡 Pro tip: Check their phone for password managers or written passwords. Look for apps like 1Password, LastPass, or notes with login info.

Tax obligations

Most estates need 1-2 tax returns. Here's what applies to you:

📋 Always required

Final Personal Return (Form 1040)

Due: April 15 after death year

What this means: The deceased's final tax return for income earned before death

💰 If estate earns money

Estate Income Tax (Form 1041)

Required if estate earns over $600

What this means: Tax on interest, dividends, or rent the estate receives after death

🏦 Large estates only

Estate Tax Return (Form 706)

Federal: Over $13.61 million | Washington: Over $2.193 million

What this means: Tax on the total value of everything the deceased owned

💡 Bottom line: Most families only need the final personal return. Consider hiring a CPA if the estate earned significant income or is worth over $2 million.

Resources

King County courthouses

Seattle
516 3rd Avenue, Room E-609
Seattle, WA 98104
Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:30pm

Kent
401 4th Avenue N, Room 1A
Kent, WA 98032
Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:30pm

Important numbers

Approved newspapers for notice

You must publish in a legal newspaper of record. Common options:

Professional costs

Understanding typical costs helps you budget and make informed decisions about professional help. All costs are estimates based on King County rates.

Attorney fees

Simple probate (no disputes) $3,000–5,000
Complex probate $7,500–15,000+
Hourly rate (typical) $250–450/hour
Consultation $250–500

Tax preparation

Final personal return (1040) $500–1,500
Estate income return (1041) $1,500–3,000
Estate tax return (706) $3,000–5,000+
WA estate tax return $2,000–4,000

Property services

Home appraisal $500–750
Estate sale company 30–40% of proceeds
Professional cleaning $500–3,000
Junk hauling $300–1,500
Handyman repairs $50–75/hour
Staging (if selling) $2,000–5,000

Court & administrative

Filing fees $240
Creditor notice publication $150–300
Death certificates (each) $25
Recording fees $100–200

Sample letters

Ready-to-use templates for official estate communications.

💡 How to use these letters:

Sample Letter: Financial Institution

Use for: Banks, Credit Unions, Investment Accounts

[Date]

Re: Estate of ________________________________
Date of Death: ________________________________
Account Number: XXXX-_________________________

Dear Sir/Madam:

I am writing to notify you of the death of your account holder, ________________________________, who passed away on ________________________________. I am the appointed personal representative of the estate.

Enclosed please find:
– Certified copy of death certificate
– Letters testamentary from King County Superior Court
– My identification

Please provide:
– Current balance as of date of death
– Any transactions since date of death
– Required forms to transfer/close the account
– Year-to-date interest statement

Please freeze the account to prevent any unauthorized access and send all correspondence to me at the address below.

Thank you for your assistance during this difficult time.

Sincerely,



________________________________
Personal Representative

Phone: ________________________________
Address: ________________________________
________________________________

✓ Checklist for this letter

Sample Letter: Creditor Notification

Use for: Credit Cards, Loans, Medical Bills, Utilities

[Date]

Re: Estate of ________________________________
Date of Death: ________________________________
Account Number: ________________________________

Dear ________________________________:

This letter is to formally notify you that ________________________________ passed away on ________________________________. I am the duly appointed Personal Representative of the estate, as evidenced by the enclosed Letters Testamentary.

According to RCW 11.40, creditors have four months from the date of first publication of notice to creditors to present claims against the estate. Notice was first published on ________________________________.

If you wish to present a claim against the estate, please send:
– Final account balance as of date of death
– Itemized statement of all charges
– Formal claim form or statement

All claims must be presented in writing and include:
– The amount of the claim
– Basis for the claim
– Supporting documentation

Please direct all future correspondence regarding this account to me at the address below. Do not attempt to collect this debt from family members.

Sincerely,



________________________________
Personal Representative
Estate of ________________________________

Address: ________________________________
________________________________

✓ Checklist for this letter

Sample Letter: Insurance Company

Use for: Life Insurance, Home Insurance, Auto Insurance

[Date]

Re: Policy Number: ________________________________
Insured: ________________________________
Date of Death: ________________________________

Dear Claims Department:

I am writing to notify you of the death of the above-named insured and to initiate the claims process. I am the appointed personal representative of the estate.

Enclosed please find:
– Certified copy of death certificate
– Letters testamentary
– Copy of the insurance policy (if available)

Please send me:
– Claim forms
– List of required documentation
– Information about the claims process
– Expected timeline for claim processing

For property insurance: Please immediately convert the homeowner's policy to vacant property coverage to maintain protection during estate administration.

Please confirm receipt of this notification and provide a claim number for future reference.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,



________________________________
Personal Representative

Phone: ________________________________
Email: ________________________________
Address: ________________________________
________________________________

✓ Checklist for this letter

Sample Letter: Employer Notification

Use for: Current Employer, Pension Administrator, Union

[Date]

Human Resources Department
________________________________
________________________________

Re: Employee: ________________________________
Employee ID: ________________________________
Date of Death: ________________________________

Dear Human Resources:

I regret to inform you that your employee, ________________________________, passed away on ________________________________. I am the personal representative of the estate and am contacting you to address employment-related matters.

Please provide information regarding:
– Final paycheck and accrued vacation/sick pay
– Life insurance or AD&D benefits
– 401(k) or pension benefits
– Health insurance continuation/COBRA
– Stock options or restricted stock units
– Any other death benefits

Additionally, please advise on:
– Return of company property (equipment, access cards, etc.)
– Required forms or documentation
– Contact person for benefit claims

I have enclosed a certified copy of the death certificate and Letters Testamentary.

Thank you for your assistance and support during this difficult time.

Sincerely,



________________________________
Personal Representative

Phone: ________________________________
Email: ________________________________
Address: ________________________________

✓ Checklist for this letter

Master checklist

Use this comprehensive checklist to track your progress through probate administration.

Immediate (First Week)

First 30 Days

Days 30-60

Days 60-120

After 4 Months

Final Tasks

Record Keeping

© Pineapple Estates
pineappleestates.com