[WSBAPT] Anyone have any experience with petitioning the court under RCW 11.48.025

Thu Jul 16 13:24:04 PDT 2026

Michael,
I want to step in and defend the bank here. Business accounts are not personal accounts, and the executor does not automatically have a right to be a signer on the business account. While the probate court has given the executor authority to manage the business, now she actually needs to do that. Usually that just means papering the file. Here are some next steps for you:

  1.  Is there an operating agreement? That may address the succession plan. A successor in the operating agreement would supersede the authority of the executor, much like a beneficiary designation supersedes a Will.
  2.  If no operating agreement, then the executor needs to take steps to appoint herself as the manager of the LLC. Typically I would do the following:
     *   Minutes of a Special Meeting of the LLC whereby she elects herself as the manager.
     *   Updated annual report with the Secretary of State where she appoints a Registered Agent and designates herself the Governor.
     *   Banking Resolution whereby she appoints herself as the Agent to transact banking and tax matters on behalf of the LLC.
  3.  Then take all 3 of the above documents to a meeting with the banker and request the bank to add her as a signer based on the foregoing.
This usually does the trick without any formal court involvement. Let me know if you have any questions. I do lots of business succession for deceased owners.
Best,
Nick
Nicholas Pleasants | Shareholder
[OseranHahnAttyatLaw 8]
11225 SE 6th Street | Suite 100 | Bellevue, WA 98004
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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of msafren at jennylinglaw.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 5:54 PM
To: 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv' <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Anyone have any experience with petitioning the court under RCW 11.48.025

Hello Ronald,

The bank is being difficult and although the order grants non-intervention powers, they are refusing to work with the PR despite the fact that the statute grant a PR with non-intervention powers the ability to manage a business and therefore that business's accounts.   Per RCW 11.68.090(1)(f) " Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a personal representative with nonintervention powers has:... The powers, privileges, and limitations of liability of a trustee under chapters 11.98<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__app.leg.wa.gov_RCW_default.aspx-3Fcite-3D11.98&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=-GmOVePHrMxpHDsqhlpu0IV7jy1tkCWDKAKJmc3TDcg&m=mHVPTK56G7SC0oLdx4lZJD66Xh6wVDE4NpsuKoPbOejdfYw3GE9hB8oKsOHtQ9uF&s=71lgfWM5VmpFYftadg6ZRq28ufwyiOpENmR-7PvpJhA&e=>, 11.100, and 11.102<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__app.leg.wa.gov_RCW_default.aspx-3Fcite-3D11.102&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=-GmOVePHrMxpHDsqhlpu0IV7jy1tkCWDKAKJmc3TDcg&m=mHVPTK56G7SC0oLdx4lZJD66Xh6wVDE4NpsuKoPbOejdfYw3GE9hB8oKsOHtQ9uF&s=PGKiAMENpZPmmtvfvoE7yqQf5QzVZBl-FU_IFA5p7vk&e=> RCW and under the principles of equity with regard to the assets of the estate, both real and personal..."

Under RCW 11.98.070(21) a trustee has the power to manage any business or business interest.  The statute states "Manage any business interest, including any farm or ranch interest, regardless of form, received by the trustee from the trustor of the trust, as a result of the death of a person, or by gratuitous transfer from any other transferor, and with respect to the business interest, have the following powers: ((a) To hold, retain, and continue to operate that business interest solely at the risk of the trust, without need to diversify and without liability on the part of the trustee for any resulting losses..."

Thus, it seems clear to me that the PR who has nonintervention powers may access business accounts on the basis that they "continue to operate that business" as permitted under RCW 11.68.090(1)(f).  However, the bank does not seem to agree.

Any suggestions on helping the representative of the bank see it my way?

The will does not explicitly use the language or phrase "non-intervention powers" however the will clearly grants the PR much of the same powers under RCW 11.68.090.  Moreover, RCW 11.68.011(2) presumes that unless non-intervention powers are restricted, limited, or forbidden, then upon a showing of solvency and that the named personal representative is applying for the role of Personal Representative, the court will grant non-intervention powers.  I therefore belief it is fair to interpret "nonintervention will" using  RCW 11.68.011(2) as any will that does not limit or forbid non-intervention powers is a "nonintervention wills".  That said, all a nonintervention will does is remove the need to demonstrate that operating the business constitutes an "advantage to the estate" which appears to be a relatively low bar.  Any basic recitation of the facts within the petition will allow the court to conclude within the findings of facts that ordering the PR to continue to operate the business and access the business accounts constitutes an "advantage to the estate."

Again, any assistance in sharing a petition and proposed order would be appreciated.

Thanks!
'

Kind Regards,
Michael S. Safren, Esq.
Attorney at Law
14900 Interurban Ave. S., Ste. 280 | Seattle, WA 98168<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__urldefense.com_v3_-5F-5Fhttps-3A_www.google.com_maps_search_14900-2AInterurban-2AAve.-2AS.-2C-2ASte.-2A280-2A-2AA7C-2ASeattle-2C-2AWA-2A98168-3Fentry-3Dgmail-26source-3Dg-5F-5F-3BKysrKysrJSsrKw-21-21OrbN-21Xw2ZhNS4nPycsjIaris22lUeChXKqfGddLln40DMumHRlXB3zTI2vTsmQtFW1uKwTPWZtK0BpxRGTVT-2DTchh-5Fw-24&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=-GmOVePHrMxpHDsqhlpu0IV7jy1tkCWDKAKJmc3TDcg&m=mHVPTK56G7SC0oLdx4lZJD66Xh6wVDE4NpsuKoPbOejdfYw3GE9hB8oKsOHtQ9uF&s=9dcoHXDuViWT6pEcSz7hx9tU77Chj2H8F-GZ6EwE568&e=>
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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>> On Behalf Of Ronald St. Hilaire
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 4:26 PM
To: wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Anyone have any experience with petitioning the court under RCW 11.48.025

My first thought was that if you have nonintervention powers that you do not need a court order to continue the business of the deceased.

Does not the statute state that if the decedent left a nonintervention will and the estate is solvent that this section does not apply?  Meaning that you do not need a court order to continue the business of the deceased?

You say PR has nonintervention powers, but you did not specify that the will conferred such powers.  Do you have a nonintervention will?

Also note that RCW 11.68.090 lists off several sections of RCW 11.48 that a will may not limit the effect of, but does not list RCW 11.48.025, which would indicate that a nonintervention will can limit the effect of 11.48.025.

________________________________
Ronald F. St. Hilaire  Certified Elder Law Attorney
Liebler & St. Hilaire, P.S.
P.O. Box 6125 | Kennewick, WA  99336
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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>> On Behalf Of msafren at jennylinglaw.com<mailto:msafren at jennylinglaw.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 11:08 AM
To: wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Anyone have any experience with petitioning the court under RCW 11.48.025

Hello Fellow Listservers,

I may need to petition the court to allow the Personal Representative to continue a single member LLC under RCW 11.48.025.  The PR has non-intervention powers and is solvent.

As I've never had to do this before, I had some quick questions,

  1.  I believe that the statute does not first require a show cause hearing and that only after granting the order may an interested party seek to contest or limit the order granting the authority to manage the business.  Is this correct or is a show cause hearing first required?  The statute states  "Any interested person may for good cause require the personal representative to show cause why the authority granted him or her should not be limited or terminated. The order to show cause shall set forth the manner of service thereof and the time and place of hearing thereon."

  1.  Does anyone have a sample or template or past petition and order that they can share with me? I'd prefer not to re-invent the wheel and simply substitute in the relevant parts such as the name of business, the length of time for operation, etc.

Thanks in advance!

Kind Regards,
Michael S. Safren, Esq.
Attorney at Law
14900 Interurban Ave. S., Ste. 280 | Seattle, WA 98168<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__urldefense.com_v3_-5F-5Fhttps-3A_www.google.com_maps_search_14900-2AInterurban-2AAve.-2AS.-2C-2ASte.-2A280-2A-2AA7C-2ASeattle-2C-2AWA-2A98168-3Fentry-3Dgmail-26source-3Dg-5F-5F-3BKysrKysrJSsrKw-21-21OrbN-21Xw2ZhNS4nPycsjIaris22lUeChXKqfGddLln40DMumHRlXB3zTI2vTsmQtFW1uKwTPWZtK0BpxRGTVT-2DTchh-5Fw-24&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=-GmOVePHrMxpHDsqhlpu0IV7jy1tkCWDKAKJmc3TDcg&m=mHVPTK56G7SC0oLdx4lZJD66Xh6wVDE4NpsuKoPbOejdfYw3GE9hB8oKsOHtQ9uF&s=9dcoHXDuViWT6pEcSz7hx9tU77Chj2H8F-GZ6EwE568&e=>
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