[WSBAPT] Estate banking for non-citizen, non-resident administrator (King County probate)

[Heather de Vrieze]

How did father get the EIN for the estate without a personal ITIN?

I have always cautioned that having a Non US Person as Personal Representative was if not impossible, likely more complicated than finding an alternative Personal Representative.

I often find it difficult for PRs outside of Washington to open estate bank accounts in another state. I’ve never seen this work in another country.

Sorry I don’t have solutions, only confirmations of the problems.

Happy Monday!

Heather

Heather S. de Vrieze
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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Geoffrey Patterson
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2026 10:25 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Estate banking for non-citizen, non-resident administrator (King County probate)

Colleagues,

Client and I are having trouble finding a Washington State bank that will allow him to open an estate bank account.

- deceased son, Canadian citizen, lived and worked for years in Seattle, had a "DHS work authorization" SSN, and has banking and retirement accounts at institutions in Washington, other states, and Canada;

- father, Canadian citizen, does not have an SSN or ITIN; does not have a physical Washington "footprint." Most Washington banks appear to require one of these "tethers" to open an account here;

- we have an EIN for the estate. Later, we expect to prepare and file personal and estate income tax returns;

- estate creditor's claims are few and for modest amounts;

- heirs live in Canada.

Anyone know of legal or practical considerations for / against opening a Canadian estate bank account and then using online banking from Québec where father lives?

Thank you for any input.

Geoff Patterson


Law Office of Geoffrey D. Patterson, PLLC
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