Dealing with the passing of a loved one can be difficult enough without considering the legal and financial issues to be addressed. We can guide you through the legalities with compassion. Probate is the process through which a person’s affairs are handled after death. In most cases, a member of the family files a petition with the Superior Court to receive authority to act on behalf of the estate. If the deceased person had a will, the person named in the will is usually appointed to serve. The estate representative is responsible to gather estate assets, determine whether any creditors need to be paid, and then to distribute assets to the heirs. Probate in Washington is usually not complicated or expensive. In some cases, depending on the assets, formal probate is not even necessary. If you have questions about what needs to be done, please call for a free consultation. Click HERE to visit our FAQs on Probate Law.