This information was prepared as a public service by Mullavey, Prout, Grenley & Foe LLP. It contains general information and is not intended to apply to any specific situation. The information is very broadly and simply stated. There are a number of exceptions and specific rules that apply to your particular situation and lead to a different result. If you need legal advice or have questions, you should consult a lawyer.
People often refer to the entire estate settlement proceeding as "the probate". Actually, "probate" is the process by which the court determines that a will is properly signed and witnessed and that the person signing the will was of sound mind and acting of free will when the document was signed. When an individual dies, with or without a will, and leaves property to be distributed, it is necessary for the court to appoint either a personal representative nominated specifically in the will, or an administrator, if no will exists. The duties and responsibilities of a personal representative or an administrator (formerly called an executor/executrix) are generally the same. The term "personal representative" will be used herein to mean either a personal representative or administrator.
A probate is not necessary in all cases. Whether a probate is needed depends on the circumstances in a particular case. It is not possible to predict prior to a decedent's death whether it will be necessary to open a probate.
When a decedent dies Intestate, his/her estate is distributed to the decedent's heirs as determined by Washington State law. If the decedent leaves a spouse and/or children, it is fairly easy to determine the heirs. If a decedent only leaves more distant relatives, determining who the heirs are may be a very costly and time consuming process.
The Superior Court may have a large or small role in the administration of an estate depending on whether the personal representative is awarded non-intervention powers. After finding that an estate is solvent, the court may grant a personal representative nonintervention powers. This means the personal representative will be able to manage the assets and liabilities of the estate without specific authorization from the court for each action. This does not give the personal representative the authority to change the bequests given by the decedent's will or to act in a way that is harmful to the estate.
If the estate is not solvent or the court does not grant the personal representative non-intervention powers, the court will supervise all activities of the personal representative. In either case, the court will appoint the personal representative, the court may have an active role in closing the estate and if questions arise in the administration of the estate, the court may assist in answering the questions. Being a personal representative is a very sensitive position that must be carried out with the utmost regard for the welfare of the entire estate and all beneficiaries.
Washington State has a stand-alone death tax, which is paid in addition to the federal estate tax. In 2009, the federal exemption was $3.5 million, while the Washington State exemption was $2 million. On January 1, 2010 the federal tax terminated. It is scheduled to return with a $1 million exemption on January 1, 2011, however that may change. The Washington State and federal taxes are not tied together. Both Washington and federal returns must be filed, if applicable, and the taxes paid, if any, within nine months of the decedent's death.
In addition to the federal estate tax return and Washington State death tax return, the personal representative may be required to file a final income tax return for the decedent and a personal representative's fiduciary income tax return (Form 1041).
The time frame for administering an estate is different in each case. In general, if the estate is not taxable, it takes 5 - 9 months to complete the estate. If the estate is taxable, it generally takes 18 - 24 months to complete the estate. Once all of the taxes are paid, the tax closing letters are received, the assets are distributed, the liabilities are paid, the decree of distribution is completed, and all the receipts are filed with the court, the court will close the estate and discharge the personal representative. We recommend that a CPA be involved in all questions about estate tax obligations.
Attorneys' fees are charged based on the attorney or paralegal's hourly billing rate and the time he or she expended on the matter. Attorneys' costs are billed to the personal representative. The basic costs associated with a probate are the court filing fee; the court's charge for Letters Testamentary, Form K's, and Ex Parte hearings; and Publication fees for the Notice to Creditors and the Notice of Final Hearing (if applicable). There may be miscellaneous other costs associated with a probate from time to time, including recording fees.
Non-probate assets do not pass through the probate process, they pass directly to the designated beneficiary upon the death of a decedent. Coordination of probate and non-probate assets can be very complicated in the settlement of an estate. Non-probate assets are subject to estate and death taxes.
© 2010 by Law Office of Mullavey, Prout, Grenley, and Foe, LLP. All rights reserved.