Probate and Estate Administration

Washington’s Resource For Estate Administration And Probate

After a loved one passes away comes a legal process that many people find overwhelming: estate administration and/or probate. This involves managing and distributing the decedent’s assets, and it can often raise family disputes or other complicated legal issues.


Brothers Henderson Durkin, P.S., can guide you through these processes. Our law firm has over 40 years of experience assisting Washington individuals and their families with estate administration and probate. We can act as your full-service law firm, assisting you with every legal step to tie up every loose end.

Probate Vs. Nonprobate Estates

Compared to many other states, the probate process in the state of Washington is a streamlined, simple procedure in the vast majority of cases, with minimum court involvement.



  • Probate: Probate is the process of administering the estate of a deceased individual. Probate may be required when the deceased person’s assets are over a certain dollar amount, regardless of whether there is a will. If a will exists, its terms decide how the court will distribute the estate. If there is no will or the persons named in the will are unwilling or unable to act, an administrator may distribute the estate.
  • Nonprobate estate: Often, specific assets are not subject to probate. For example, (1) Assets held in a revocable living trust – RLT, (2) Assets held by the deceased person and another person who had a right of survivorship (i.e., property held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship – JTWROS); (3) Assets controlled by a valid Community Property Agreement; (4) Certain assets with a beneficiary designation, e.g., life insurance, IRA’s, and 401Ks.

What Is TEDRA?

When someone passes away, one or more of their family members may dispute an aspect of a will or trust. This can cause painful family tension and damage relationships. To resolve these disputes, Washington state enacted the Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA) in 2000. TEDRA provides a guideline for resolving disputes regarding a trust or estate. TEDRA can also be useful to address issues that come up in the administration of an estate or a trust that are not necessarily in dispute. If you need assistance filing a TEDRA petition to contest a will or address an issue in estate or trust administration, or if someone has filed a TEDRA petition to dispute your relative’s will or to address an issue in administration, Brothers & Henderson, P.S., can help with this process and ensure you are properly represented.

Get A Consultation To Discuss An Estate

Schedule an initial consultation to discuss your options. Please complete our Contact / Consultation Request Form or call us at 206-536-2446. Our attorneys are ready to assist you.

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