Mother passes away rights of only child no spouse

Dear Tacoma, Assuming that at her death, your mother neither was married nor had a registered domestic partner, then all her probate estate...

The executor is dishonest and will we be given a list of assets before the estate is distributed, and can we contest then?

Dear Seattle, RCW 11.24.010 gives you the right to contest a Will within four months of its admission to probate. Here, think "lack of...

My huband died no will can his family file for executor without my permission

Dear Spokane, Within the first 40 days after death, a Decedent's surviving spouse has the absolute right to petition the Court to serve and be...

Dear Vancouver, I agree with Shawn but not with Henry. Henry is a CA atty, and in CA (where I am also licensed) using a Living Trust as one's...

Dear Springdale, You should file in the estate, within nine months of his date of death, what's known as a Disclaimer regarding the gift, the...

Dear Seattle, "Left out" brother should engage a probate attorney, who should then file with Court & send a copy to the Personal Representative...

Can I do an "adjudication of testacy" instead of go through probate

Dear Shoreline, An Adjudication doesn't really "avoid probate" --- it's a summary version of probate, just without the appointment of a Personal...

Huge Family--Who are the Heirs, Do I really have to name/find them all?

Dear Seattle, Yes, the Petition for Letters to open a probate estate is required to name all heirs and beneficiaries and provide their...

My brother died suddenly without a will, does his wife of 3 years automatically get all of the estate?

Dear Seattle, When a Decedent dies in WA with a surviving spouse but without a Will (ie, intestate), the surviving spouse takes: 1. All of...

Brother taking me and my older brother to small claims court about mothers will

Dear Ferndale, The Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over Wills & Decedent's estates. His Small Claims action, at least to extent it...