Estate & Inheritance · FAQ

How long does probate take in Washington State?

Last updated: August 2026

Quick Answer

A straightforward, uncontested estate typically takes four to eight months. Estates with disputes, missing wills, out-of-state heirs, or creditor claims can take a year or longer.

From the article

Inherited a Home in Seattle? A 2026 Guide to Probate, Taxes, and Whether to Sell, Rent, or Keep It

Inheriting a home in Seattle brings emotional weight and real financial decisions — probate timelines, a stepped-up tax basis that can eliminate most capital gains, and the question of whether to sell, rent, or keep the property. Here's what heirs actually need to know in 2026.

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People also ask

Do I have to pay capital gains tax on an inherited house in Seattle?

Usually very little, if any — thanks to the stepped-up basis, your taxable gain is calculated from the home's fair market value at the date of death, not its original purchase price. If you sell reasonably soon after inheriting, the gain (and therefore the tax) is often minimal.

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Can I sell an inherited house before probate closes?

Generally, the personal representative needs legal authority to sell before a transaction can close, though in many cases they can list the property and even accept an offer during probate, with the sale finalizing once authority is confirmed. An estate attorney can clarify the specific timeline for your situation.

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What if my siblings and I disagree about selling the inherited home?

Start with a neutral, current market valuation so everyone is working from the same information. From there, common paths include one heir buying out the others, a sale with proceeds split by ownership share, or mediation if the disagreement persists. Courts can order a partition sale as a last resort, but this is slower and costlier than resolving it directly.

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