Washington estate planning
Make a will, living trust & powers of attorney in Washington
Washington sets its own rules for who can make a will, how it must be signed and witnessed, whether it needs a notary, and how estates are taxed. Estateur drafts your Washington will, revocable living trust, and powers of attorney through a guided interview, then validates every document against Washington law before you ever see it. It is a self-help document-preparation service, not a law firm.
Washington estate planning at a glance
| Will witnesses required | two witnesses |
|---|---|
| Will must be notarized | No (self-proving affidavit optional) |
| Self-proving affidavit | Available (recommended) |
| Handwritten (holographic) wills | Not recognized |
| Electronic wills | Permitted by statute |
| State estate tax | Yes — 2025 exemption $3 million |
| State inheritance tax | None |
| Community property | Yes |
General information, not legal advice. Figures such as tax exemptions change; confirm current requirements with the Washington courts or department of revenue.
How to make a valid will in Washington
A Washington will must be in writing and signed by you in front of two witnesses. Notarization is not required for the will to be valid, but a self-proving affidavit — which is notarized — makes probate easier by removing the need for your witnesses to testify later. Washington does not recognize handwritten (holographic) wills — the witness requirement applies regardless. Washington permits electronic wills under its own statute.
Spousal protection. Community property; each spouse devises only their 1/2 (RCW 26.16.030). Community property agreements common (RCW 26.16.120). A will can't fully disinherit a surviving spouse in most states — Estateur's interview flags this for you.
Living trusts & avoiding probate in Washington
A will still has to pass through Washington probate — a public, court-supervised process — before your assets reach your heirs. A revocable living trust holds your assets during life and transfers them at death without probate, which is usually faster and stays private. A trust is not right for everyone; it depends on whether you own real estate, the size and complexity of your estate, and your goals.
Estateur's free quiz recommends whether a will-based or trust-based plan fits your Washington situation, and every trust-based plan includes a pour-over will as a companion document.
Powers of attorney & healthcare directives in Washington
A financial power of attorney in Washington must be notarized and signed before two witnesses. (RCW 11.125.050)
A Washington healthcare directive can be signed before either two witnesses or a notary. (RCW 70.122.030)
A complete plan also includes a HIPAA authorization so your healthcare agent can actually get your medical information. Estateur builds each of these to Washington's signing rules and includes execution instructions.
Washington estate & inheritance tax
Washington levies a state estate tax with a 2025 exemption of $3 million — well below the federal exemption, so an estate can owe Washington tax while owing no federal tax. Washington has no separate inheritance tax.
Estate-tax exemption amounts are 2025 figures and change annually. Confirm current thresholds with the Washington department of revenue.
Washington statutes referenced
- RCW 11.12.020
- RCW 11.125.050
- RCW 70.122.030
Washington estate planning: common questions
- Is an online will legal in Washington?
- Yes. Washington does not care who typed your will — it cares that the will meets Washington's execution rules. A will is valid in Washington when it is in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two people (RCW 11.12.020). Estateur builds each Washington will to those rules and includes step-by-step signing instructions, so an online will you sign correctly is just as valid as one prepared any other way.
- How many witnesses does a will need in Washington?
- Washington requires two witnesses to sign your will. Adding a notarized self-proving affidavit is optional but recommended — it lets the will be admitted to probate without tracking down your witnesses. Washington does not recognize handwritten (holographic) wills.
- Do I need a lawyer to make a will in Washington?
- No. Washington law does not require a lawyer to make a valid will — you can prepare and sign your own. Estateur is a self-help document-preparation service (not a law firm, and no attorney personally reviews each plan) that drafts your Washington documents against the state's verified rules and validates them before you see them. For complex situations — large or taxable estates, blended families, special-needs beneficiaries, or business succession — consulting a licensed Washington attorney is wise.
- Does Washington have an estate tax or inheritance tax?
- Washington levies a state estate tax with a 2025 exemption of $3 million — well below the federal exemption, so an estate can owe Washington tax while owing no federal tax. Washington has no separate inheritance tax.
- How much does an online will cost in Washington?
- Estateur uses flat, one-time pricing that is the same in Washington as in every other state: a single Last Will & Testament is $79, or the full Will Plan (seven documents) is $99, with no subscription required.
Create your Washington estate plan
Take the free 2-minute quiz for a personalized recommendation, or go straight to the plan you need — built for Washington, at a flat one-time price.
Estateur is a self-help document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Information on this page reflects Washington law in general terms and may change.
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