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Seattle Probate Services understands that dealing with the estate of a beloved family member or friend who has passed away can be confusing, challenging and expensive. We can help you handle everything needed to successfully close and distribute estate assets in a caring and cost-efficient manner.
Seattle Probate Services offers attentive and affordable legal services to clients in Seattle and surrounding communities in King, Pierce, Snohomish and other Counties in Washington State, to manage and wrap up a deceased person's estate and distribute net estate assets.
Probate - will exists
Where the decedent left a valid Last Will and Testament, the legal proceeding is called a Probate, and the estate is distributed according to the terms of the will, to the beneficiaries named in the will.
Estate Administration - no will
When there is no will (or the will does not comply with the required statutory formalities), the legal proceeding is called an Estate Administration, with the decedent passing intestate. Estate assets are distributed to the decedent's legal heirs (pursuant to statute).
Probate from $575 + costs
Our Low Cost Probate Package is available to many of our clients who need to probate an estate; the basic, fixed legal fee is $575. In addition to this fixed legal fee, there are court costs -- $230 for the filing fee, and $10 (for 2 Letters Testamentary). The Low Cost Package is offered only when: (1) there is an Original will that is properly signed and witnessed, (2) the will contains an affidavit of attesting witnesses that is notarized, (3) the will is clearly worded, and provides for "non-intervention" estate administration without requiring the executor/personal representative to post a bond, (4) beneficiaries under the will and the legal heirs are easily identifiable and their addresses are known, and (5) there are no disputes concerning the validity or interpretation of the will. We prepare all necessary legal papers (and obtain required signatures), and file them. Our Low Cost Package also includes up to two hours of consultation (by telephone and/or in-person meeting) with an experienced attorney to discuss specific questions or issues a client may have during the course of the administration of the estate.
The basic fee also assumes that the court appointed executor/administrator will take full charge of handling various tasks to identify the decedent's and the estate's debts, notify creditors, inventory and obtain appraised values of the estate's real estate and personal property, and distribute estate property. If requested, we can render assistance with these tasks at a $150 hourly rate.
In most cases, the fixed legal fee for handling an estate administration (an estate where there is no will) will be an additional $100 over the $575 Low Cost Package fee. If a bond needs to be obtaned and posted (filed), there will be an additional fixed legal fee of $175, plus a bond premium of at least $100.
Notice to Creditors Service (extra $225 Fee + Costs)
This service includes notifying creditors that the estate administration proceeding is pending, and will serve to cut off even entirely valid creditor's claim after 120 days if the creditor does not properly pursue collection through the filing of a claim document. The extra legal fee is $225, and includes preparation, filing, and arranging for publication of the Notice to Creditors. The publication cost typically runs $108 to about $200, depending on the location of the decedent's last residence. The extra fee also includes mailing a copy of the notice to all known creditors, and preparing and filing one or more affidavits of service by mail.
Preparation of Additional Court Documents (extra fee of $600 or more)
The Low Cost Package includes the preparation of documents to commence the probate or estate administration proceeding. Additional documents must be prepared, served and filed to finalize the administration, including an Inventory and Appraisement, an Accounting, a Declaration of Completion of Probate (or Estate Administration), and a Notice of Filing of the Declaration of Completion. In many cases, we can provide these services at an additional fixed fee of $600. In some cases which are more complex, the services will be provided at an hourly rate of $150.
We also offer many other services, and handle more complicated probate and estate administration matters, for additional fees. Our managing attorney is a seasoned litigator and trial attorney, and can handle any litigation issue that may arise, such as a will contest or a dispute over a creditor's claim.
If everything goes smoothly, the total cost of a probate or estate administration (that does not require additional attorney services beyond those provided in the Low Cost Package, and the Notice to Creditors and Preparation of Additional Court Documents services discussed above) will be about $1,750. In more complex cases, the total fee will be higher.
Other, lower cost options may be available.
In certain circumstances, other procedures can be used to handle the estate, at an even lower cost. One such case is where the decedent is survived by his or her spouse, and the couple had a community property agreement. Another case is where the estate does not own any real estate, and the net value of all of the estate's property is less than $100,000.
We offer a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION, so please contact us to find out how we can assist you.
Please
Contact Us, to e-mail or call us, to find out how we can help you with your probate/estate administration needs.
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