Washington timeline
Washington probate timeline: the 40-day wait and when creditor claims close
The simplified route starts 40 days after death.
In Washington, a creditor sent actual notice has the later of 30 days after it and four months after first publication; each clock is set out below against the event it runs from.
Sources reviewed August 7, 2026. Sources rechecked October 3, 2026. This page last revised .
The one date this page can source
The successor affidavit route requires 40 days to elapse from the date of death. This is a precondition: the affidavit or petition cannot be presented before it runs, regardless of how straightforward the estate is.
Source: RCW 11.62.010, Revised Code of Washington, Small Estates(Washington State Legislature; Section history through 2008 c 6 s 923). Rule taken from it: Small-estate limit: $100,000; Waiting period: 40 days; How the estate is valued: net of liens and encumbrances.
The section’s own words
(c) That the value of the decedent's entire estate subject to probate, not including the surviving spouse's or surviving domestic partner'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;
Creditor deadlines
- From publication of notice to creditors
- After appointment the personal representative may publish notice once each week for three successive weeks (RCW 11.40.020(1)(b)). A creditor who is not reasonably ascertainable, or who is given no actual notice, is barred four months after the date of first publication (RCW 11.40.051(1)(b)(i)).
- From actual notice to a known creditor
- A known creditor given actual notice by service or mailing must present the claim within the later of 30 days after that notice and four months after the date of first publication (RCW 11.40.051(1)(a)).
- Outer limit, running from death
- A creditor who was reasonably ascertainable but received no actual notice, and any creditor where no notice is given under chapter 11.40 or 11.42 RCW, is barred 24 months after the decedent's date of death (RCW 11.40.051(1)(b)(ii), (1)(c)).
How these combine. Washington runs the clocks separately and bars a claim on whichever one fits that creditor. A creditor given actual notice has the LATER of 30 days after service or mailing and four months after first publication (RCW 11.40.051(1)(a)). A creditor given no actual notice who was not reasonably ascertainable has four months after first publication; one who was reasonably ascertainable has 24 months after death; and where no notice issues under chapter 11.40 or 11.42 RCW, 24 months after death (RCW 11.40.051(1)(b)-(c)). Publication itself is once each week for three successive weeks (RCW 11.40.020(1)(b)). The bar reaches both the decedent's probate and nonprobate assets.
Source: RCW 11.40.020(1), Revised Code of Washington, Notice to Creditors(Washington State Legislature; Section history through 2005 c 97 s 4). Rule taken from it: Creditor deadline after published notice: notice published once each week for three successive weeks; What starts the actual-notice clock: actual notice served or mailed to a known creditor.
The section’s own words
(b) The personal representative shall cause the notice to be published once each week for three successive weeks in a legal newspaper in the county in which the estate is being administered; (c) The personal representative may, at any time during the probate proceeding, give actual notice to creditors who become known to the personal representative by serving the notice on the creditor or mailing the notice to the creditor at the creditor's last known address, by regular first-class mail, postage prepaid;
Source: RCW 11.40.051(1), Revised Code of Washington, Claims Against Decedent - Time Limits(Washington State Legislature; Section history through 2005 c 97 s 6). Rule taken from it: Creditor deadline after actual notice: later of 30 days after actual notice and four months after first publication; Creditor deadline after published notice: four months after first publication when not reasonably ascertainable or given no actual notice; Outer limit on creditor claims: 24 months after death when reasonably ascertainable but no actual notice, or no notice given under the chapter.
The section’s own words
(a) If the personal representative provided notice under RCW 11.40.020 and the creditor was given actual notice as provided in RCW 11.40.020 (1)(c), the creditor must present the claim within the later of: (i) Thirty days after the personal representative's service or mailing of notice to the creditor; and (ii) four months after the date of first publication of the notice; (b) If the personal representative provided notice under RCW 11.40.020 and the creditor was not given actual notice as provided in RCW 11.40.020 (1)(c): (i) If the creditor was not reasonably ascertainable, as defined in RCW 11.40.040 , the creditor must present the claim within four months after the date of first publication of notice; (ii) If the creditor was reasonably ascertainable, as defined in RCW 11.40.040 , the creditor must present the claim within twenty-four months after the decedent's date of death; and (c) If notice was not provided under this chapter or chapter 11.42 RCW, the creditor must present the claim within twenty-four months after the decedent's date of death.
General sequence: first week, how long probate takes.
Sources rechecked October 3, 2026: Washington source list · how sources are checked · report a correction