Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Washington
Dispensation of an Estate
A desedant died on 6/07/2006 leaving four serviving children. One member with power of attorney and exector and his attorner will not communicate with other family members. It has been one month since the funeral. No probate has be posted with the County Superior Court. What are the other family members right to know the dispensation of the estate.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Dispensation of an Estate
Go to the clerk of the Superior Court in the County where the decedent lived. Ask the Clerk to review the probate docket - the case will start with 06-4- (for 2006, probate) and will be filed under the decedent's name.
There is no requirement that a probate has to be filed by a certain date. However, property held in the name of the decedent cannot be transferred to other people without a probate and usually without publishing notice to creditors and advising beneficiaries.
If you really think something is fishy, call your County Bar association and ask for a referral to an attorney who practices in estates and probates. You can tell them you want a referral to somebody besides the lawyer who is not returning calls.
Sometimes it is just a phone call. Sometimes it is complex litigation.
Powell