KITSAP COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE PROCEDURE SMALL ESTATE SETTLEMENT BY AFFIDAVIT Washington law provides simple alternative to formal probate for collection and distribution of a deceased person’s personal property. Using this procedure, the person entitled to the deceased’s property obtains it by presentation of an Affidavit of Successor to persons and institutions holding the deceased’s property. The procedure applies only to small estates where the value of the decedent’s entire probate estate does not exceed $100,000. The decedent’s estate includes his or her separate property and one-half of all community property (both real property and personal property), less liens and encumbrances. There must be no controversy among heirs or difficulties of collection. Title to real estate cannot be changed by this procedure. Forty days must pass after the decedent’s death before this procedure may be used. Ten days written notice must be given to all other successors. A copy of the affidavit is to be mailed to the State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services, Office of Financial Recovery (address listed on page 2). No inheritance tax release is required but all debts of the decedent must have been paid or provided for. Current versions of the law should be consulted as they are subject to change each time the legislature is in session. FEES Forms for purchase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.00 Filing Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20.00 SMALL ESTATE SETTLEMENT BY AFFIDAVIF PROCEDURE: 1) Qualifications and requirements for Small Estate Settlement by Affidavit: a) Decedent must have been deceased for at least forty days; b) the value of the decedent’s entire probate estate must not exceed $100,000.00. The decedent’s estate includes his or her separate property and one-half of all community property (both real property and personal property), less liens and encumbrances. c) the petitioner must provide written notice to all other successors, including identification of the claim and description of the property claimed, at least ten days prior to filing the affidavit; d) a death certificate is required in order to file the petition, and a certified copy of the death certificate must be filed with the petition; e) there must be no controversy among heirs; and f) all debts of the estate must be paid. 2) Petitioner pays the $20.00 filing fee to the County Clerk’s Office, submitting the certified copy of the death certificate of the decedent. 3) A probate number is issued by the Clerk. 4) Completed affidavit must be mailed to: State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services Office of Financial Recovery PO Box 9501 Olympia, WA 98507 - 9501 Affidavit of Succcessor of Decedent – Instructions Sjohnson\probate documents.wpd 7-10-07 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkflow.com RCW 11.62 (1) At any time after forty days from the date of a decedent's death, any person who is indebted to or who has possession of any personal property belonging to the decedent or to the decedent and his or her surviving spouse as a community, which debt or personal property is an asset which is subject to probate, shall pay such indebtedness or deliver such personal property, or so much of either as is claimed, to a person claiming to be a successor of the decedent upon receipt of proof of death and of an affidavit made by said person which meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section. (2) An affidavit which is to be made pursuant to this section shall state: (a) The claiming successor's name and address, and that the claiming successor is a "successor" as defined in RCW 11.62.005; (b) That the decedent was a resident of the state of Washington on the date of his or her death; (c) That the value of the decedent's entire estate subject to probate, not including the surviving spouse's community property interest in any assets which are subject to probate in the decedent's estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars; (d) That forty days have elapsed since the death of the decedent; (e) That no application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction; (f) That all debts of the decedent including funeral and burial expenses have been paid or provided for; (g) A description of the personal property and the portion thereof claimed, together with a statement that such personal property is subject to probate; (h) That the claiming successor has given written notice, either by personal service or by mail, identifying his or her claim, and describing the property claimed, to all other successors of the decedent, and that at least ten days have elapsed since the service or mailing of such notice; and (i) That the claiming successor is either personally entitled to full payment or delivery of the property claimed or is entitled to full payment or delivery thereof on the behalf and with the written authority of all other successors who have an interest therein. (3) A transfer agent of any security shall change the registered ownership of the security claimed from the decedent to the person claiming to be the successor with respect to such security upon the presentation of proof of death and of an affidavit made by such person which meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section. Any governmental agency required to issue certificates of ownership or of license registration to personal property shall issue a new certificate of ownership or of license registration to a person claiming to be a successor of the decedent upon receipt of proof of death and of an affidavit made by such person which meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section. (4) No release from any Washington state or local taxing authority may be required before any assets or debts are paid or delivered to a successor of a decedent as required under this section. (5) A copy of the affidavit, including the decedent's social security number, shall be mailed to the state of Washington, department of social and health services, office of financial recovery. Affidavit of Succcessor of Decedent – Instructions Sjohnson\probate documents.wpd 7-10-07 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkflow.com IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF KITSAP , Petitioner No. AFFIDAVIT OF SUCCESSOR OF DECEDENT (AF ) The undersigned, upon first being duly sworn on oath, deposes and states: 1. I am a successor (as defined in RCW 11.62.005) of the decedent: , - - . (Decedent’s name) 2. (Decedent’s Social Security Number) I am entitled to property of the decedent and money owing to the decedent pursuant to: the terms of the last will of the decedent; or the intestate succession laws of this state. 3. Forty days have passed since the date of death: (enter date of death). The decedent was a resident of the State of Washington on the date of death. 4. The value of the decedent’s entire estate subject to probate, not including a surviving spouse’s community property interest in any assets which are subject to probate in the decedent’s estate wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars. 5. No applications or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending in any court or has been granted in any jurisdiction, 6. All debts of the decedent including funeral and burial expenses have been paid or provided for. 7. A description of the personal property and/or sum of money claimed, or portion thereof, which is subject to probate, is as follows: Affidavit of Successor of Decedent Sjohnson\probate documents.wpd 7-10-07 Page 3 of 2 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkflow.com 8. I have given written notice, either by personal service or by mail, identifying my claim, and describing the property claimed, to all other successors of the decedent. At least ten days have elapsed since the service of mailing of such notice. 9. I am entitled to full payment or delivery of the property claimed: personally; or on the behalf of and with the written authority of all other successors who have an interest. . Successor’s signature . Print or type name . Successor’s address . City/State/Zip Subscribed and sworn to before me this date: Notary Public My commission expires: NOTE: “Successors” include all persons who are entitled to claim property according to the decedent’s will or by virtue of all the laws of intestate succession. Send a copy of this affidavit to the Department of Social and Health Services, Office of Financial Recovery, PO Box 9501, Olympia, WA 98507-9501. Any Government agency required to issue certificates of ownership or of license registration to personal property will issue a new certificate to a person claiming to be a successor upon receipt of proof of death and receipt of this affidavit. RCW 11.62.010 Affidavit of Successor of Decedent Sjohnson\probate documents.wpd 7-10-07 Page 4 of 2 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkflow.com