King County, Washington Probate Court Records

In King County, Washington, the local Superior Court handles all probate matters. According to the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA), probate is the legal process of administering a decedent’s estate under court supervision. This process typically involves proper accounting of all of the decedent’s assets, filing of any outstanding tax returns, payment of overdue taxes, and the subsequent distribution of the decedent’s assets. It also ensures that the decedent’s beneficiaries and legitimate creditors are identified and notified of their respective interests.

Generally, probate processes in King County, including the creation, filing, and maintenance of probate court records, are governed by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Title 11. Probate court records are official documents that contain pertinent information about the administration of a decedent’s estate and are used to facilitate probate proceedings. Some examples of these documents include wills, estate inventories, probate petitions, creditor claims, guardianship orders, and final accountings.

Understanding the Parties Involved in Probate Cases

Parties that play crucial roles in probate cases include the following:

• The decedent: a deceased person whose estate is subjected to probate
• Beneficiaries: individuals or entities specified in a decedent's will who are entitled to inherit assets from the decedent’s estate.
• Heirs: these are a decedent’s family members who are entitled to inherit assets from the decedent’s estate under Washington’s intestacy laws
• Creditors: parties a decedent owed a debt before their death.
• Personal representative: an individual tasked with administering a decedent's estate. They may be appointed by a court (administrator)or designated in a decedent’s will (executor).
• Probate attorney: a legal professional who is licensed to provide legal advice and guidance to parties involved in probate cases.

Legal Purpose and Importance of Probate Court Records in Shelby County

Primarily, probate court records provide an official account of how a decedent's estate was administered and distributed, which can be reviewed to ensure compliance with applicable law. They also offer insight into a decedent’s finances, including assets and debts, as well as family relationships. Thus, they can be relied on for genealogical research. Probate court records also document the roles of the parties involved in probate cases and may be used to ascertain each party's authority and rights.

Differences Between Wills, Estates, and Other Probate Filings in King County

Probate filings in King County typically consist of various official and legal documents, each serving a distinct purpose. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Will: This legal document outlines an individual's instructions for the distribution of their assets upon death.
• Estate inventory: An official list of a decedent’s belongings and their associated monetary values. The contents of this list vary by estate. Typical contents include but are not limited to the decedent’s real property, personal property, financial accounts (such as bank and brokerage accounts), stocks, savings bonds, insurance policy, and business interests.
• Petition for probate: This is a formal request filed with a Superior Court to initiate probate proceedings.
• Creditor claim: This is a formal claim a creditor may file against a decedent's estate for an obligation or debt the decedent owes them.
• Guardianship order: This is a court order that appoints a legal guardian for an incapacitated individual, who is responsible for making personal and medical decisions on their behalf.
• Final Accounting: This comprehensive report details all assets of an estate, including expenses (such as debts, fees, and taxes), income, proposed asset distribution, and all other financial transactions that occurred during the estate's administration. This report may be created and filed by either an estate administrator or trustee when the estate is ready for closure.

Public Access to Probate Court Records in King County

Washington Court General Rule (GR) 31 grants the general public the statutory right to access all court records unless a federal law, state law, case law, court order, or court rule states otherwise. As a result, probate court records in King County are usually accessible to the public.

Notwithstanding, personal identifiers, such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver’s license numbers, are redacted or omitted from public court records pursuant to GR 31(e).

Methods for Searching King County Probate Court Records

The official channel for searching King County probate court records is through the county’s Superior Court Clerk’s Office. Record seekers must possess sufficient details about the sought-after probate records to facilitate their search. These details include the case number, the full names of the parties involved, and the date the case was filed. TheKing County Superior Court Clerk’s Office offers three methods of searching for probate court records: online, in-person, and by mail.

How to Find King County Probate Cases Online for Free

Interested persons may find King County probate case information online for free through the county Superior Court Clerk’s KC Script Portal and the Microfiche Case Number Indexes Page.

The KC Script Portal offers online access to various types of case information and court records, including probate cases handled by the King County Superior Court. m However, only cases filed between November 1, 2004, and the present are accessible on the portal. Examples of information available on the KC Script Portal regarding relevant probate cases include the case number, filing date, participant details, status, and the docket list.

On the KC Script Portal, users may search for a probate case by selecting “Case Search” and then choosing the “Probate/Guardianship Search Case Type 4” option. Subsequently, an online search form will be provided, allowing users to enter relevant criteria, such as case number, filing date, or party name, to search. Although there are no restrictions on who may perform searches on the KC Script Portal, users must log in or create an account to access or order probate case records.

On the other hand, microfiche indexes for some local pre-1979 probate cases are available online via the King County Superior Court Clerk’s Microfiche Case Number Indexes Page.

Accessing King County Probate Court Records in Person

Record seekers may access King County probate court records in person at any of the county’s Superior Court Clerk’s Offices. Generally, the clerk has three separate office locations:

Interested persons may visit any of these locations during regular business hours to view local probate court documents free of charge or to request copies of records for a fee. They must provide identifiable information about the sought-after case, such as the case number, filing date, and the names of the parties, to facilitate an in-person search. Furthermore, although there are no identification requirements for accessing public probate records, record seekers may be required to verify their identity to access sealed and confidential cases.

Requesting King County Probate Court Records by Mail

The King County Superior Court Clerk’s Office provides a dedicated Record Request Form that individuals may use to request probate court records by mail. There is a $10.00 postage and handling fee for mail-in requests, and an additional $30.00 fee for requests that do not include a case number. These fees may be paid by check or money order payable to the King County Clerk's Office. Requesters may complete the request form and mail it, along with the required fee payments, in a self-addressed envelope to the addresses listed at the bottom of the request form.

Mail requests are usually processed within five (5) business days of submission. Additionally, confidential and sealed documents cannot be requested by mail.

King County Probate Court Record Access Methods

Applicable Fees for King County Probate Court Record Requests

According to the King County Superior Court Clerk's Office fees schedule, the applicable fees for requesting probate court records include the following:

• $0.25 per page for viewing or downloading non-certified probate court records online.
• $0.50 per page for non-certified copies of probate court obtained with the clerk’s assistance.
• $5.00 for the first page of a certified copy of a record and $1.00 per page for subsequent pages.
• $9.00 for the first page of an exemplified copy of a record and $1.00 per page for subsequent pages.
• $30.00 per hour research fee.
• $10.00 shipping and handling fee.
• $30.00 per case for expedited court record request.