Overview
Snohomish County is located in Washington with a population of approximately 864,113. The Snohomish 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 of Will, Letters Testamentary, or Letters of Administration 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. If the value of the decedent's entire estate subject to probate, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed $100,000, a Small Estate Affidavit (Affidavit of Successor) may be used to claim personal property without formal probate, provided at least 40 days have passed since death.
Washington does not have a statutory fee schedule for attorneys or personal representatives based on a percentage of the estate. Instead, fees must be "reasonable" based on the services performed.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Snohomish 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
Snohomish County Superior Court
Probate matters in Snohomish County are handled at the Snohomish County Courthouse.
Address: 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett, WA 98201
Phone: 425-388-3421 (Court Administration) or 425-388-3466 (Clerk)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
The Probate Department is part of the Superior Court. Ex parte probate matters are typically heard by a commissioner.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available at the Snohomish County Parking Garage located at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue (entrances on Pacific and Oakes). Parking is free for the first 30 minutes, with hourly rates applying thereafter. Street parking is also available in the surrounding area. The courthouse is accessible via Community Transit bus lines.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Estate Affidavit: If the probate estate is valued at $100,000 or less and includes no real property, you may be able to use an Affidavit of Successor 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 Snohomish County Superior Court. Include:
- Case Type 4 Cover Sheet
- Original Will and Codicils (if any)
- Certified Death Certificate
- Filing fee (approximately $240 for probate + $20 for will filing)
- Proposed Order Admitting Will and Appointing Personal Representative
- Oath of Personal Representative
Attorneys are generally required to file electronically via the Odyssey File & Serve (eFileWA) system. Self-represented litigants may file in person or by mail.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the probate pendency to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties within 20 days of appointment.
- Publish notice to creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in Snohomish County (e.g., The Herald) for three successive weeks to shorten the creditor claim period to 4 months.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
Many probate petitions in Snohomish County can be presented ex parte (without a scheduled hearing) if all documents are in order and the petition is uncontested. If a hearing is required, it will be scheduled on the Commissioner's calendar.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Publish notice to creditors and mail notice to known creditors (allowing a 4-month claim period).
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 3 months of appointment.
- Pay valid creditor claims and administrative expenses.
- File federal and state tax returns as needed (Washington has its own estate tax for estates over the exemption threshold).
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries.
- File a Declaration of Completion of Probate to close the estate.
Local Requirements
Snohomish County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Attorneys are mandated to use the Odyssey File & Serve (eFileWA) system for all filings.
- Local Rules: Refer to Snohomish County Local Court Rules (SCLCR) 98.04 through 98.20 for specific probate procedures.
- Will Filing: The original will must be filed with the Clerk's Office. If e-filing, the original will must be physically delivered to the Clerk within a specific timeframe (typically 2 court days).
- Publication: Notice to creditors is commonly published in The Herald (Everett), Snohomish County Tribune, or Monroe Monitor.
Always check the latest "Probate Policy Manual" or local rules on the Snohomish County Superior Court website for current commissioner preferences.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Snohomish County)
- Probate Filing Fee: approximately $240
- Will Filing Fee: approximately $20
- Certified copies of Letters: approximately $5 per copy
- Publication costs: approximately $150-$300 depending on the newspaper
- Special Letters: approximately $290
Washington law allows for "reasonable" attorney and personal representative fees, which are subject to court review if contested.
Payment Methods
The Clerk's office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (with a processing fee). E-filing fees are paid via credit card or e-check through the Odyssey system.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (no disputes, limited assets): 6-12 months
- Average estates: 9-18 months
- Complex or contested estates: 18 months to 2+ years
The creditor claim period is 4 months from the date of first publication, which sets a minimum duration for most formal probates.
Local Resources
Snohomish County Court Resources
- Court Website: snohomishcountywa.gov
- Probate Information: snohomishcountywa.gov
- Washington State Court Forms: courts.wa.gov
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Snohomish County Bar Association: 425-388-3018 — Lawyer Referral Service
- Northwest Justice Project (CLEAR): 1-888-201-1014 — Low-income legal assistance
- Washington LawHelp: washingtonlawhelp.org
Publication
- The Herald (Everett): 425-339-3000 — General circulation
- Snohomish County Tribune: 360-568-4121 — Legal notices