Overview
Klickitat County is located in Washington with a population of approximately 24,124. The Klickitat 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 Title 11 RCW. The process begins with filing a Petition for Probate 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 "Small Estate Affidavit" procedure for estates valued at $100,000 or less, provided the decedent had no real property in the state (or it is not part of the probate estate).
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 Klickitat 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
Klickitat County Superior Court
Probate matters in Klickitat County are handled at the Klickitat County Courthouse.
Address: 205 S Columbus Avenue, Room 204, Goldendale, WA 98620
Phone: 509-773-5744 (County Clerk)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (closed for lunch hour)
The Superior Court Clerk's office is located in Room 204. This is where you will file all probate documents.
Parking and Access
There is public parking available around the courthouse lawn and in a parking lot located to the North of the courthouse. Accessible parking spots are available for those with handicap permits.
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 includes no real estate, you may be able to transfer assets via affidavit after a 40-day waiting period.
- Community Property Agreement: If the decedent and spouse had a valid community property agreement, assets may transfer automatically.
- 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 Probate with the Klickitat County Superior Court. Include:
- Original Will (if applicable)
- Certified copy of the Death Certificate
- Case Information Cover Sheet
- Proposed Order Admitting Will and Appointing Personal Representative
- Oath of Personal Representative
- Filing fee of approximately $290.00
Electronic filing is available through TrueFiling. Contact the Clerk's office for e-filing procedures and access.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the hearing (if required) or notice of appointment to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties.
- Publish notice to creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in Klickitat County, such as The Goldendale Sentinel, for three successive weeks.
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 for the four-month creditor claim period
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within three months
- Pay valid creditor claims and taxes
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- File a Declaration of Completion of Probate to close the estate
Local Requirements
Klickitat County-Specific Procedures
- Local Forms: The Clerk's office may have specific case cover sheets or local form packets available for a small fee.
- E-Filing: Electronic filing is available through TrueFiling. Visit the County Clerk's website for access and instructions.
- Ex Parte: Many routine probate orders can be presented ex parte. Contact the Clerk for the specific ex parte calendar schedule.
- Publication: Notice to creditors is typically published in The Goldendale Sentinel or Columbia Gorge News (which covers the White Salmon area).
Always check the latest Klickitat County Local Court Rules (LCR) for any specific formatting or procedural requirements.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Klickitat County)
- Probate Filing Fee: approximately $290.00
- Certified copies of Letters: approximately $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 for additional pages
- Publication costs: approximately $150-$300 depending on the newspaper
- Small Estate Affidavit: No court filing fee if not filed with the court (optional filing fee may apply if filed)
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Credit/debit cards may be accepted via a third-party service (e.g., Point and Pay) with a convenience fee.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates: 6-9 months
- Average estates: 9-12 months
- Complex or contested estates: 12 months to 2+ years
The four-month creditor claim period is a mandatory minimum timeline for most formal probates.
Local Resources
Klickitat County Court Resources
- Court Website: klickitatcounty.gov
- Probate Self-Help: Washington LawHelp
- Washington Court Forms: courts.wa.gov
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Washington State Bar Association: 800-945-9722 — wsba.org
- CLEAR (Low-Income Legal Aid): 888-201-1014 — nwjustice.org
Publication
- The Goldendale Sentinel: 509-773-3777 — goldendalesentinel.com
- Columbia Gorge News: 509-493-2112 — columbiagorgenews.com