Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Washington

Personal Representatives Responsibilities

My grandfather just passed away. In his will he left 1/2 of everything to my side of the family and the other 1/2 to the other side of the family. My Aunt was appointed as the Personal Representative, the other side of the family. My side of the family lives in another state and we have no idea what my grandfather's estate consists of. The papers we received from the court say that the estate will exceed $100,000 and that the will has been submitted to probate. He has a condo full of furnishings, my Grandmother, deceased, had lots of jewelry. The letter from the attorney stated that there is savings and stock and bond holdings. The letter also says there is a safe deposit box and none of us will be present when it is opened. Do we just have to hope that my Aunt gives us our 1/2? Is she required to do some sort of accounting or provide an inventory? How long does it take to probate a will?


Asked on 1/20/08, 8:19 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

Re: Personal Representatives Responsibilities

The PR should do an inventory or appraisment. To some degree honest dealing is assumed of the parties and the court is not actively involved in probate, the PR and the PR's attorney carry the burden of moving the estate forward. An estate should be probated to completion in 6-12 months.

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Answered on 1/24/08, 6:36 pm


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