Overview
Kittitas County is located in Washington with a population of approximately 48,172. The Kittitas County Superior Court handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Washington probate is governed by RCW Title 11. The process begins with filing a Petition for Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters Testamentary for testate estates or Letters of Administration for intestate estates.
Washington offers a simplified process for small estates using a Small Estate Affidavit if the estate's value is $100,000 or less and includes no real property.
Washington does not have a statutory fee schedule for attorneys or personal representatives; fees must be reasonable and are subject to court review if requested.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Kittitas County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
Kittitas County Superior Court
Probate matters in Kittitas County are handled at the Kittitas County Courthouse.
Superior Court Administration: 205 W 5th Ave, Suite 207, Ellensburg, WA 98926
Clerk's Office (Probate Filings): 205 W 5th Ave, Suite 210, Ellensburg, WA 98926
Phone: (509) 962-7531 (County Clerk)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
The Superior Court Clerk's office, where probate filings are made, is located in Suite 210 on the second floor of the courthouse.
Parking and Access
Street parking is generally available around the courthouse. The building is accessible to the public during business hours with security screening at the entrance.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Estate Affidavit: If the estate is valued at $100,000 or less and contains no real property, you may be able to use a Small Estate Affidavit after a 40-day waiting period.
- Community Property Agreement: If the decedent and spouse had a valid community property agreement, assets may transfer without probate.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file a Petition for Letters with the Kittitas County Superior Court. Include:
- Case Information Cover Sheet
- Original Will (if applicable)
- Certified Death Certificate
- Filing fee ($290)
- Proposed Order Appointing Personal Representative
- Oath of Personal Representative
E-filing is available for probate cases but requires registration with the Clerk's office.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the hearing (if applicable) and appointment to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties.
- Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in Kittitas County for three successive weeks to alert creditors.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
Many probate petitions in Washington can be handled ex parte (without a formal hearing) if all paperwork is in order. If a hearing is required, the judge reviews the petition and, if approved, issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify creditors and allow a 4-month period for claims
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 3 months
- Pay valid creditor claims and administrative expenses
- File federal and state tax returns as needed
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- File a Declaration of Completion of Probate to close the estate
Local Requirements
Kittitas County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: The Kittitas County Clerk offers electronic filing. Users must register with the Clerk's office to participate.
- Local Court Rules: Probate proceedings are subject to Kittitas County Local Civil Rules (LCR).
- Ex Parte Fees: There may be a fee for presenting ex parte orders by mail or outside of regular dockets.
- Publication: Notice to creditors must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Kittitas County, such as the Daily Record or Northern Kittitas County Tribune.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Kittitas County)
- Probate Filing Fee: approximately $290
- Small Estate Affidavit Filing: approximately $20 (only if filed with court, not required)
- Certified copies of Letters: approximately $5 for the first page, $1 for additional pages
- Publication costs: approximately $150-$300 depending on the newspaper
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards (via nCourt/Official Payments with a processing fee).
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates: 6-9 months (minimum 4 months for creditor claims)
- Average estates: 9-18 months
- Complex or contested estates: 18 months to 2+ years
The timeline is heavily influenced by the 4-month creditor claim period which begins after publication of notice.
Local Resources
Kittitas County Court Resources
- Court Website: Kittitas County Superior Court
- Clerk's Office: Kittitas County Clerk
- Washington State Probate Forms: Washington Courts Forms
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Kittitas County Bar Association: Local attorney listings
- CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education, Advice and Referral): 1-888-201-1014 — Low-income legal assistance
- Washington State Bar Association: wsba.org
Publication
- Daily Record (Ellensburg): (509) 925-1414 — dailyrecordnews.com
- Northern Kittitas County Tribune: (509) 674-2511 — nkctribune.com