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WA-Probate > Probate Court Practice > The Initial Filing in a New Case > Filing Fees & Methods of Payment
On August 17, 2003, California
instituted a graduated fee for filing a probate case:
The filing fee in California for a $100 million estate is now $3,500 + $193,000 = Almost $200,000. In Washington, it's $110. That California law must be known as the California Estate Planners' Living Trust Act. |
The current (August 1, 2007) fee for filing a Will is $20, which is nonrefundable upon any subsequent filing of a Petition for Letters. Consequently, if a Petition for Letters will likely be filed, the fee for filing a Will may be avoided by filing the Will together with the Petition for Letters.
The current (August 1, 2007) fee for filing a Petition for Letters (in either a Decedent's estate or a guardianship) is $200.
Of the six larger Puget Sound counties (King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom) as well as Benton/Franklin, Clark, Spokane, and Yakima, all will accept for payment of filing fees:
Cash,
Cashier's check, or
Money order.
Of those counties, only King County will accept a personal check but it must be made:
By a party to the action (eg, you, as the Petitioner),
On a preprinted check form with your name imprinted on it, and
Drawn on a bank that does business in Washington.