[WSBAPT] Post-Probate Check

[Dalynne Singleton]

A lot of the decision will depend on what the bank will accept, unfortunately.  Is WF the receiving deposit institution or the bank that wrote the check?
If the bank wants current Letters and only way to cash a check made payable to Estate, you will need to reopen.
If you can have the person who issued the check make it payable to someone else besides the Estate who is entitled to the monies, then you won’t have an issue.

Dalynne Singleton
Dalynne Singleton
Gourley Law Group
Snohomish Escrow/The Exchange Connection
1002 10th Street / PO Box 1091
Snohomish, WA 98291
360.568.5065
360.568.8092  fax
dalynne at glgmail.com<mailto:dalynne at glgmail.com>  Website:  www.glglawgroup.com<http://www.glglawgroup.com/>
Attorney/client meetings will be handled virtually whenever possible.  If you would like to set a consultation, please call/email one my paralegals Valerie valerie at glgmail.com<mailto:valerie at glgmail.com>, Erica erica at glgmail.com<mailto:erica at glgmail.com>, or Theresa theresa at glgmail.com<mailto:theresa at glgmail.com>.  Co-counsels at GLG are Attorney Carrie Ulrich (carrie at glgmail.com<mailto:carrie at glgmail.com> ), Spencer Clower (spencer at glgmail.com<mailto:spencer at glgmail.com>) and Candace Wilkerson (candace at glgmail.com<mailto:candace at glgmail.com>).  Litigation paralegal is Daina Gray (daina at glgmail.com<mailto:daina at glgmail.com>).
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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Amy Goertz
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 9:53 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Post-Probate Check

Good Morning,

My former client, who was the PR of his father’s estate, has received a check made payable to the Estate more than a year after the probate ended.

The probate was closed with a Declaration of Completion and the estate account was closed.

Wells Fargo is asking for a Court Order that states he is entitled to receive funds or assets after the probate.

Does anyone have any ideas for language or anything short of re-opening the estate to resolve this with the bank and/or get the check cashed?

Amy

Amy J. Goertz, J.D.
Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC
amyjgoertz at icloud.com<mailto:amyjgoertz at icloud.com>

1.888.926.2607 phone
1.877.684.1627 fax
Address for correspondence:
2829 S. Grand Blvd., Suite 303
Spokane, WA 99203

Additional office locations:
510 Bell Street
Edmonds, WA 98020

Goertz & Lambrecht PLLC
www.goertzlambrecht.com<http://www.goertzlambrecht.com/>







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