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Washington Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

Washington PROBATE COURT FINDER:
- Probate Court for King County: Key information about your local probate court (Circuit 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.
- In Wisconsin, you can use an Affidavit if the decedent's solely owned property owned in Wisconsin is worth $50,000 or less.
  
  Wis. Stat. Ann. 867.03.
  
  There's a summary procedure available if the value of the estate, less mortgages and encumbrances, is $50,000 or less and decedent is survived by spouse, domestic partner, or minor children. Also available if value of the estate, less mortgages and encumbrances, does not exceed costs, expenses, allowances, and claims.
  
  Wis. Stat. Ann. 867.01.
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)

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 May 15, 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
  - Property you occupy or intend to occupy to $75,000; sale proceeds exempt for 2 years if you intend to purchase another home (husband & wife's exemption may double)
- Washington Vehicle Exemption
  - Motor vehicles to $5,000 (husband & wife may double; unused portion of $12,000 personal property exemption may be added)
Washington BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
Wisconsin is divided into 2 federal districts with main cities in
- Milwaukee, (Eastern District)
- Eau Claire, Madison (Western District)
FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

Washington Unemployment Benefits

Benefit Amounts in Washington: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
- Minimum:
  - $54 per week
- Maximum:
  - $370 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.
- Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
  - 414-435-7069
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.
Washington Wage & Hour Law
- Washington Minimum Wage:
  - The minimum wage in Washington is the same as the federal minimum wage: $7.25 an hour.
    
    King County Minimum Wage
    
    The minimum wage in King County is $7.25 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 $2.33 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $7.25 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.