King County Probate Records

King County probate records are legal documents that establish how a deceased person's estate ought to be divided. Probate records typically include wills, estate inventories, court decrees, and other records pertaining to probate, and individuals normally need them to verify claims for an inheritance, resolve estate conflicts, or gather data for genealogy research.

The King County Superior Court oversees probate, which involves managing estates, appointing executors, and determining contentious issues. King County probate also has one unique feature: optional nonintervention probate, where executors can handle estates with limited court intervention upon authorization.

Are Probate Records Public?

Yes, King County probate records are open to the public under Washington State law, and they are allowed under General Rule 31 (GR 31) and Local General Rule 31 (LGR 31).

Yet, some legal stipulations also raise privacy concerns barring access to certain case details in King County court records. For instance, under Washington State law (RCW 42.56.230), records that hold sensitive personal information—i.e., Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or medical history—can be redacted or sealed. Probate proceedings involving minors or incapacitated individuals can also include confidential filings that are designed to safeguard their privacy. Most probate records are subject to public view, although LGR 31 does impose some limitations on Internet access for cases filed before November 1, 2004. Individuals can still view such records in person at the clerk's office or via official government agencies, case parties, and attorneys of record.

What is Probate Court in King County?

The King County Probate Court is a department within the King County Superior Court responsible for ensuring the administration of estates, wills, and guardianships. It ensures the property of an individual who passed away is administered according to the terms of the person's will or, without a will, under Washington State intestacy rules, either through full probate or nonintervention probate, which allows executors to manage estates with minimal court supervision. The court also resolves cases related to conservatorships, guardianships for minors or incapacitated adults, and disputes occurring in the handling of estates.

King County Superior Court - Probate Department
King County Courthouse
516 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104

Maleng Regional Justice Center
King County Superior Court
401 Fourth Avenue North
Room 2D
Kent, WA 98032

Probate Court Case Lookup

The Superior Court Clerk's Office maintains probate court records for King's County, which can be searched by the decedent's name or case number through the KC Script Portal. The portal provides the ability to view and order court documents. For assistance, if needed, requesters can email the Correspondence Clerk at desk.correspondence@kingcounty.gov or call (206) 477-0691. As an alternative, anyone can also look up probate cases using the Washington Courts' Name and Case Search option. It offers information on cases across several counties, including King County. Though it shows case details, accessing the official court records might involve getting in touch with the respective court where the case was filed.

If individuals would rather search in person, they can go to the Clerk's Office of the King County Courthouse in Seattle or the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. During regular business hours, they have public access terminals for searching cases. One can contact the King County Superior Court Clerk's Office for further details on accessing court records.

How to Find Probate Records Online Free

Individuals who are searching for King County probate files can access them for free on the Internet through official websites such as the Washington Courts Case Search or the KC Script Portal where users can search case information and probate filings. Though the sites provide free basic searching, payment or a trip to the Clerk's Office might be required in order to receive certified copies or complete case files.

How Long Does Probate Take in Washington?

The Washington probate typically takes six to nine months, depending on the simplicity of the estate, creditor claims, heir claims, and the time taken for processing in courts. For instance, more intricate estates with diverse assets could take longer to wind up. In addition, when the estate can qualify to have simplified proceedings, the duration can be expedited.

Are Wills Public Record?

Yes. Wills normally become a public record after having been submitted for probate with the court and thus become publicly accessible. In the case of King County, this means that any member of the public may request to view a will and other related probate documents by either the KC Script Portal or King County Superior Court Clerk's Office. Some information, such as one's own financial affairs or who the minors are, may be sealed at the court's order. If a will is never probated—such as when everything passes outside of probate—it is not public record.

How to Find Out If Someone Has a Will

Finding out if a person does or does not have a will in King County depends on if the person is alive or deceased. If the person is deceased, the easiest way to determine if the will has been filed for probate is by contacting the King County Superior Court Clerk's Office, as it becomes public record upon will execution and probate filing. KC Script Portal provides online case filing search for probate cases, and in case of no record, the attorney or relatives of the deceased person can be contacted to locate the will. For a living person, wills remain private documents unless the individual chooses to make them public. An estate planning attorney who prepared the will may confirm its existence but cannot share its contents without the client’s consent.

King County Family Court Case Search

Individuals can obtain King County family court cases through the King County Superior Court Clerk's Office via the KC Script Portal, which is the case search online official case search system. The cases can be searched by date filed, party name, or case number. But while basic case data are public, certain records—e.g., those involving juveniles, domestic violence protection orders, adoptions, or confidential family cases—are sealable or subject to withholding from public access. A personal request at the King County Superior Court Clerk's Office can be required for complete case information or certified copies.