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WashingtonHB 24452025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Ending probates for profit.

Sponsored By: Adison Richards (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Earlier notice and sworn estate reports

Petitions now list all known heirs and major assets, and explain how that info was found. Within 20 days of appointment, the personal representative must send written notice to each known heir, legatee, devisee, and beneficiary, and file proof. If no creditor notice is sent within 30 days, the representative must notify the state Office of Financial Recovery. Within 30 days, the representative must also file a sworn notice report, and within 30 days of opening any estate bank account must file a sworn account report with the bank name, opening date, and signers. An estate is presumed ready to close 24 months after appointment; if no final report is filed, the court orders one by a set date.

Guardrails on buying heirs' shares

If someone regularly buys a beneficiary’s interest, the deal must be in writing, show the price and all fees, and be filed with the court within 30 days and at least 14 days before any distribution motion. Many harsh contract terms are limited or void, the court can review and condition or refuse payment, and 14 days’ notice is required. Willful violations can cost up to three times the assignment’s value. If an heir finder gets a partial share for locating heirs or assets, the contract must be plain, state the percentage share, allow a good‑faith estimate, be filed within 45 days and at least 14 days before any distribution motion, and avoid terms that transfer full ownership or add excessive fees. Courts can review and limit these deals, and willful violations can cost up to three times the partial share’s value.

Stricter rules for court-picked executors

The law expands who has priority to serve, including certain trustees, guardians, conservators, durable agents who controlled assets, beneficiaries or transferees, and state officials in limited cases. Courts must wait 60 days after death before appointing a contract provider or guardian ad litem if no entitled person files, and may appoint a suitable person after 90 days with limits on pay and powers; non-entity appointees are capped at two such appointments per year. These court-appointed representatives cannot get nonintervention powers unless they are certain listed entities. If someone seeks this type of appointment, they must file in the decedent’s home county (or where estate property is, if no residence), and parties have four months after notice to ask for a venue change, except for good cause.

Tougher standards and bonds for executors

Some court-appointed personal representatives must post a bond that matches the size of major probate assets; courts can adjust the bond or accept other security. People who are minors, of unsound mind, recently removed for cause, recently found dishonest, convicted of serious crimes, most corporations, and those tied to buying or selling major estate assets are disqualified. The court must revoke letters if someone becomes disqualified and may sanction them. These representatives cannot buy estate assets or take sale proceeds for themselves without court approval after 14 days’ notice and strong proof the deal is loyal to the estate; violations can cost up to three times the asset’s value. They also cannot accept outside pay for estate work unless the court allows it, and courts can cut or deny their fees for poor performance.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Adison Richards

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Kristine Reeves

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 180 • No: 57

House vote • 3/11/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 66 • No: 29 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 47 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 2/10/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 67 • No: 28 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/24/2026House

  2. Chapter 204, 2026 Laws.

    3/24/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/24/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  6. Passed final passage; yeas, 66; nays, 29; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    3/11/2026House

  7. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/11/2026House

  8. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  9. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2026House

  10. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/6/2026House

  11. Committee amendment not adopted.

    3/6/2026House

  12. Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/6/2026House

  13. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/5/2026House

  14. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/24/2026House

  15. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/24/2026House

  16. LAW - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/24/2026House

  17. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

    2/12/2026House

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/10/2026House

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/10/2026House

  20. Third reading, passed; yeas, 67; nays, 28; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    2/10/2026House

  21. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/6/2026House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/3/2026House

  23. CRJ - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/30/2026House

  24. Minority; without recommendation.

    1/30/2026House

  25. CRJ - Majority; do pass.

    1/30/2026House

Bill Text

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