Overview
Yakima County is located in Washington with a population of approximately 258,523. The Yakima 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 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 Small Estate Affidavit procedure for estates valued at $100,000 or less, provided 40 days have passed since the date of death.
Washington does not have a statutory attorney fee schedule; fees must be reasonable based on the services performed.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Yakima 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
Yakima County Superior Court
Probate matters in Yakima County are handled at the Yakima County Courthouse.
Address: 128 N 2nd St, Room 323, Yakima, WA 98901
Phone: (509) 574-1430 (County Clerk)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (Closed 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM for lunch)
The Clerk's Office is located on the 3rd floor of the courthouse. This is where all probate documents are filed and where you can access court records.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available directly across 3rd Street from the courthouse (2-hour limit). An all-day free parking lot is located one block away at the corner of 3rd Street and Walnut.
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 40 days have passed since death, you may be able to use this simplified procedure.
- Community Property Agreement: Transfer of assets to surviving spouse without probate if a valid agreement exists.
- 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 Yakima County Superior Court. Include:
- Original Will (if applicable)
- Certified Copy of Death Certificate
- Case Information Cover Sheet
- Filing fee of $240
- Oath of Personal Representative and Proposed Order
E-filing is available via eFileWA.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the hearing to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties at least 20 days before the hearing (if notice is required).
- Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in Yakima County for three successive weeks to alert creditors.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court will schedule a hearing on the petition, typically 2 to 4 weeks after filing. Many probate petitions in Yakima County can be presented ex parte (without a hearing) if all requirements are met. At the hearing, 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 — the creditor claim period is 4 months after first publication.
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 3 months.
- Pay valid creditor claims.
- File federal and state tax returns as needed.
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries.
- File a final accounting and petition for discharge.
Local Requirements
Yakima County-Specific Procedures
- Case Information Cover Sheet: Required for all new cases filed with the court.
- Ex Parte Hearings: Probate petitions are often heard ex parte in Yakima County, meaning you may not need a formal courtroom hearing if your paperwork is in order.
- Local Court Rules: Consult LCR 98.04 for estate settlement rules specific to Yakima County.
- Publication: Notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Yakima County for three consecutive weeks.
Yakima County requires a Case Information Cover Sheet to be filed with the initial petition.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Yakima County)
- Probate Filing Fee: approximately $240
- Will Only Filing: approximately $20
- Certified copies of Letters: approximately $5 per certified copy
- Publication costs: approximately $150-$300 depending on the newspaper
- Ex Parte Fee: $30 (if applicable)
Washington does not have a statutory fee schedule; fees must be reasonable.
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (with fee). Credit card payments incur a convenience fee.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (no disputes, limited assets): 6-12 months
- Average estates: 9-18 months
- Complex or contested estates: 18 months to 3 years
Creditor claim period is 4 months.
Local Resources
Yakima County Court Resources
- Court Website: yakimacounty.us
- Probate Self-Help: Washington LawHelp
- Washington Courts Forms: Washington Courts Forms
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Yakima County Bar Association: (509) 248-7220 — Local legal community resources.
- CLEAR Hotline: 1-888-201-1014 — Legal aid for low-income residents.
- WSBA Lawyer Referral: WSBA
Publication
- Yakima Herald-Republic: (509) 577-7740 — Newspaper of general circulation.
- Sunnyside Daily Sun News: (509) 837-4500 — Newspaper of general circulation.