How long does probate take?

In Washington, probate can take anywhere from a few months to well over a year depending on the complexity of the estate. The probate process starts with the deceased person’s will being filed in the appropriate county court. After that, the court appoints an executor who is responsible for overseeing the estate. The executor must then determine the estate’s assets and debts, notifying creditors and the other beneficiaries of the will. This can take some time due to the necessity of verifying assets and debts, as well as searching for creditors who might not be easily located. Once the assets and liabilities of the estate are determined, the necessary paperwork is filled out and the court will review and then approve the paperwork. The executor must then pay any unpaid debts, collect money due to the estate and make necessary distributions to the beneficiaries. Once all of these tasks are completed and any remaining taxes or other obligations are paid, the court is then able to issue an order closing the probate. The length of time it takes to complete these steps can be anywhere from a few months to well over a year, depending on the complexity of the estate.

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