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<p class="MsoNormal">Your petitioner is decedent’s brother, correct? That should be fine to file in Snohomish County. He seeks appointment as a relative with priority under RCW 11.28.120(1)(b)(iii). Only petitioners seeking appointment under RCW 11.28.120(3)
(the “any suitable person” section) are required to file in the county of the decedent’s residence.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">See <a href="https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=11.96A.050">
RCW 11.96A.050(4)</a>:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">(4) <span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">
Venue for proceedings pertaining to the probate of wills, the administration and disposition of a decedent's property</span>, including nonprobate assets, and any other matter not identified in subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this section,
<b><u><span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">is in any county in the state of Washington that the petitioner selects</span></u></b><span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">, unless the petitioner seeks appointment to administer the
estate under RCW <a href="https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=11.28.120">
11.28.120</a>(3)</span>. If the petitioner seeks appointment under RCW <a href="https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=11.28.120">
11.28.120</a>(3), venue must be the county in the state of Washington where the decedent resided at the time of death, or, if the decedent was not a resident of the state of Washington at the time of death, a county in which any part of the probate estate might
be. A party to a proceeding may request that venue be changed if the request is made within four months of the mailing of the notice of appointment and pendency of probate required by RCW
<a href="https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=11.28.237">11.28.237</a>, and except for good cause shown, venue must be moved as follows:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">(a) If the decedent was a resident of the state of Washington at the time of death, to the county of the decedent's residence; or<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">(b) If the decedent was not a resident of the state of Washington at the time of death, to any of the following:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">(i) Any county in which any part of the probate estate might be;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">(ii) If there are no probate assets, any county where any nonprobate asset might be; or<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">(iii) The county in which the decedent died.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#467886">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Darcie Byrd<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, October 22, 2026 2:26 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Probate for Profit - Venue Issue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Has anyone had success with opening a probate in a venue that is NOT that same as the county of residence of an intestate decedent?</span><span style="font-family:Roboto"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="margin-top:6.0pt;font-size:0.875rem;overflow-x:hidden" id="gmail-:1h4">
<div id="gmail-:1h6">
<div id="gmail-avWBGd-516">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Sorry if this is long - I rarely do probates anymore and just for friends & family really. I had missed all the lead up to the new probate law and now I've rejoined this section because the changes
have got me in a pickle! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">My friend's aunt recently died intestate in Benton County. She was not married and never had children. Most of her siblings predeceased her. Two brothers are still living and some adult nieces
and nephews who are heirs to her modest estate. All are cooperative. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">One brother, also residing in Benton County, is willing and able to serve as PR. The other brother, who suffers from dementia and is not competent, lives in Snohomish County. His son (my friend),
also in Snohomish, has durable power of attorney. I am also located in Snohomish County and have been retained to represent the Benton County brother, petitioner to be appointed PR of Aunt's estate. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Unaware of recent changes to the law, and fully armed with a petition, death certificates, signed waivers, etc., I filed and paid the Snohomish County Clerk, then proceeded to the Commissioner
- as per usual.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Commissioner was kind to me, even took a recess to go over my documents to see if there was any way to grant the petition. No luck. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The family would like for me, the attorney they know, to handle everything court-related. They all support Brother being appointed as PR. If there's any way to establish venue in Snohomish County,
I would prefer to file an amended petition and go about business there. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Any ideas? Or must I file in Benton County (and pay all over again)?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Thank you,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Darcie Byrd<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Attorney at Law<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Cell: <a href="tel:(206)%20949-8145" target="_blank">
206-949-8145</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><a href="mailto:Email%3Adarciebyrd@gmail.com" target="_blank">Email:darciebyrd@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Mailing address: 11921 99th Ave. NE, Arlington, WA 98223<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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