State guide
Washington
Washington's creditor-claims system is detailed and powerful because proper notice can shorten claims periods for probate and nonprobate assets. Washington also has a widely used small-estate affidavit process for probate assets worth $100,000 or less, available after 40 days if other statutory conditions are met.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Publishing the notice
- Yes: probate notice to creditors must be published once each week for 3 successive weeks in a legal newspaper in the county required by RCW 11.40.020.
- Creditor claim deadline
- Later of 30 days after mailed/served actual notice or 4 months after first publication
- Outside deadline
- 24 months after death in the situations stated in RCW 11.40.051
- Law
- RCW 11.40.020; RCW 11.40.030; RCW 11.40.051; RCW 65.16.020; RCW 65.16.060; RCW 65.16.070
- Small-estate limit
- $100,000 in probate assets subject to RCW 11.62.010
Official resources in Washington
Official Washington Courts self-help portal for people navigating Washington courts without a lawyer.
Official statewide probate and estate forms page for Washington courts.
Official Washington statute on giving notice to creditors in probate.
Official Washington statute setting time limits for creditor claims after notice or without notice.
Official Washington small-estate affidavit statute for probate personal property.
Key facts for Washington
- In probate, the personal representative must publish notice once each week for 3 successive weeks in a legal newspaper in the proper county.
- With publication and actual notice, a creditor must present the claim by the later of 30 days after mailing/service or 4 months after first publication.
- If notice is not provided, the creditor generally must present the claim within 24 months after the decedent's death.
- Actual notice to known creditors is permitted but not mandatory; skipping it can leave reasonably ascertainable creditors with up to 24 months after death.
- Washington's small-estate affidavit can be used for probate assets worth no more than $100,000, after 40 days, if statutory conditions are met.
- Among multiple qualified legal newspapers, the moving party has the exclusive right to choose the paper.
What to do next
- If you open probate, publish and file creditor notice correctly; Washington's deadlines turn heavily on whether notice was properly given.
- Review RCW 11.40.051 before deciding not to mail actual notice, because reasonably ascertainable creditors may otherwise get much longer to file.
- For modest probate personal property, check the small-estate affidavit statute before opening a full probate.
Helpful guides
- What is a notice to creditors in probate?
- How to publish a probate notice in a newspaper
- How much does it cost to publish a probate notice?
- What counts as a legal newspaper for probate notices
Creditor deadline calculator →