King County, WA Consumer Law

Free Tools and Information for King County, WA Consumers

Washington Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Washington PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for King County: Key information about your local probate court (Probate Court in Washington) for King County.
• How Probate Works in Washington: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at King County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • Washington Probate Forms and the
    • Washington State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Washington: Learn how to use Washington's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • You can use an Affidavit in New Mexico for estates with less than $50,000, not counting liens or encumbrances (like a mortgage). There is a 30-day waiting period.

    N.M. Stat. Ann 45-3-1201.

    You can also use an Affidavit for real estate if a married couple owns a principal residence, valued for property tax purposes at $500,000 or less, and holds it as community property. The surviving spouse can file an Affidavit with the county clerk if no other assets require probate. (If, for example, the other assets are bank accounts held in joint tenancy and retirement accounts or life insurance that pass by beneficiary designation.) There is a six month waiting period.

    N.M. Stat. Ann 45-3-1205.

    You can use a summary probate procedure for estates in which the value of the estate, less liens or encumbrances, doesn't exceed the homestead allowance, exempt property, family allowance, and costs of administration, funeral expenses, and last illness expenses.

    N.M. Stat. Ann. 45-3-1203 and following.

     

• Washington Estate Taxes:

  • Washington, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.

• Avoiding Probate in Washington. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

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Washington Wage & Hour Law

• Washington Minimum Wage:  

  • The minimum wage in New Mexico is $12 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in The Land of Enchantment must be paid at least $12 an hour. A handful of local governments in New Mexico have passed their own minimum wage ordinances.

    King County Minimum Wage

    The minimum wage in King County is $12 an hour, the state minimum wage. However, cities and counties in Washington are free to adopt their own higher minimum wage, and dozens of cities and counties across the country have done so. To find out whether King County has passed its own minimum wage law since we last updated, visit https://kingcounty.gov/.

• Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Washington and whether they apply to you.
• Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Washington. 
• Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Washington.

  • In Washington, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $3 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $12 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for King County, Washington (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for April 1, 2024)
• Washington BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Washington law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in Washington?:  

    • Yes. Federal exemptions are available.

  • Washington Homestead Exemption

    • $150,000 (joint owners may double)

  • Washington Vehicle Exemption

    • Motor vehicle to $10,000

• Washington BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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Washington Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Washington: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $101 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $542 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In Washington, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Washington.
  • New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions 
    • 877-664-6984
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

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Democracy In Washington, King County, Kent 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in King County, WA.
  • Key Links:
    • Check Your Washington Voter Registration Status: https://voterportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us/WhereToVote.aspx
• Gerrymandering in Washington: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 
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Find a Lawyer in King County, WA

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration
• Legal Aid
  • Law Help New Mexico 

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