Probate is not a single document event — it unfolds in stages. In Washington practice, an estate typically moves from opening, to post-appointment, to creditor management, and ultimately to closing. Agile EP organizes probate documents around those natural phases.
Inside the system, Washington Probate court documents are grouped into structured Document Packages, each aligned with a specific stage of the administration process. Packages are available for both testate estates (where the decedent left a valid Will) and intestate estates (where no valid Will exists). The Opening Package has separate testate and intestate versions — all other packages apply to both.
You can find these by navigating to Library > Washington Probate and selecting either Testate Probate Document Packages or Intestate Probate Document Packages. Both sets include:
- Opening Package
- Post-Appointment Package
- Managing Creditors and Claims Package
- Closing Package
Each package corresponds to a practical stage in the estate's lifecycle.
Opening Package
This package is used to initiate the probate and establish the Personal Representative's or Administrator's authority, including nonintervention powers.
It typically includes documents such as:
- Petition for Probate (testate) or Petition to Appoint Administrator (intestate)
- Oath of Personal Representative or Administrator
- Proposed Orders
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- Supporting documents such as declinations, waivers, and consents
Testate and intestate versions
The Opening Package has separate testate and intestate versions. Select the version that matches your matter. For a walkthrough of each, see How do I draft opening pleadings for a testate probate? or How do I draft opening pleadings for an intestate probate?
Post-Appointment Package
Once the Personal Representative or Administrator has been appointed, administration begins. Use this package to:
- Prepare and send required post-appointment notices to interested parties and government agencies
- Generate the Probate Notice to Creditors and related creditor claim documents
- Create structured client letters to guide the PR or Administrator through administration
- Assist with inventory preparation and asset valuation
- Produce miscellaneous pleadings and administrative documents commonly needed during estate administration
This package supports the middle stage of probate — after appointment and before closing. It applies to both testate and intestate estates.
Post-appointment guidance
- For a walkthrough of the Post-Appointment Package, see How do I draft post-appointment documents for a testate probate? or How do I draft post-appointment documents for an intestate probate?
- For details on post-appointment notice requirements, see Testate Probate: Post-Appointment Notice Requirements or Intestate Probate: Post-Appointment Notice Requirements.
Managing Creditors and Claims Package
Washington probate includes specific statutory procedures for handling creditor claims. This package applies to both testate and intestate estates and focuses on:
- Probate Notice to Creditors and proof of publication
- Actual notice to creditors and proof of mailing
- Claim-related documentation, including acceptances, rejections, and time-barred claims
- Claims made by the Personal Representative or Administrator
The structure aligns with Washington's creditor claim framework under RCW 11.40 and helps ensure compliance with statutory timelines.
Closing Package
When administration is complete, the estate must be formally closed. This package applies to both testate and intestate estates and includes documents such as:
- Declaration of Completion of Probate
- Receipts and releases
- Notices of filing
- Final distribution documents
For guidance on closing a probate estate, see How do I close probate with a Declaration of Completion?