The Assign Roles to Parties tab is where you categorize each entered party according to their legal role in the probate matter.
Every party entered in prior tabs (Client, Spouse, Children & Grandchildren, Other Parties, etc.) must be assigned at least one role. These role assignments directly control document content, notice requirements, and signature blocks.
This is one of the most important tabs in the entire Opening Package — Do not skip this page.
Why This Tab Matters
Role assignments determine:
- Who must receive statutory notice
- How each party is described in the Petition
- Which documents are generated
- Who appears in signature blocks
- Who qualifies as an heir
- Whether nonprobate notice requirements apply
- Whether a Guardian ad Litem may be needed
If a party is entered but not assigned a role, they may be omitted from required notices or pleadings. This tab is where the drafting logic is activated.
Party vs. Role
It is critical to understand the distinction between a party and a role.
- A party is a person or entity entered into the system.
- A role tells the system how that party should be treated in the probate.
A single party may have multiple roles.
For example:
- A surviving spouse may be both an Heir and a Nonprobate Asset Beneficiary.
- A sibling may be both an Heir and a Special Notice Recipient.
- A nonprobate beneficiary who is not an heir holds only the Nonprobate Asset Beneficiary role.
Roles do not create new parties. They categorize existing ones.
Common Roles in an Intestate Probate
The system allows you to assign one or more of the following roles.
Heir
An heir is a person entitled to inherit under Washington intestacy law (RCW 11.02.070). In intestate probate, heirs are the primary interest holders in the estate.
Heir designation is based on:
- Marital status
- Children and descendants
- Property characterization
If unsure whether someone qualifies as an heir, return to the Review the Decedent's Heirs tool in the Other Parties tab.
Do not assign heir roles to children who have no inheritance interest In an all-community-property estate where all children are joint children of both the decedent and the surviving spouse, the spouse is the sole heir. Children in that scenario have no inheritance interest and should not be assigned an heir role. Use the Heirs Tool output — not dropdown availability — to determine who qualifies.
Nonprobate Asset Beneficiary
A nonprobate beneficiary receives assets outside the probate estate (e.g., POD, TOD, joint tenancy, retirement account). Under RCW 11.28.237, nonprobate beneficiaries must receive notice of the pendency of probate after appointment. Assign this role when applicable so notice requirements are properly triggered.
Special Notice Recipient
Some parties may require notice even if they are not heirs or nonprobate beneficiaries. Examples may include:
- Interested parties with statutory rights
- Parties entitled to special notice under specific circumstances
Assign this role when notice must be provided but the party does not otherwise qualify as an heir or nonprobate beneficiary.
Assigning Roles
To assign roles:
- Click Add Each Probate Party.
- Select the party from the list.
- Assign all applicable roles.
- Save.
Repeat for each party entered in the system. If you missed a party, go back to the Other Parties tab and add them, then return to the Assign Roles to Parties tab to assign a role.
Every party must be categorized.
Multiple Roles Are Common
It is normal for a single party to hold multiple roles.
Examples:
- Surviving spouse who is sole heir: Heir only
- Surviving spouse with a POD account: Heir + Nonprobate Asset Beneficiary
- Sibling who is an heir and a retirement account beneficiary: Heir + Nonprobate Asset Beneficiary
- Creditor or interested party with no inheritance interest: Special Notice Recipient only
Do not limit a party to a single role if more apply. Failure to assign all applicable roles may result in incomplete notice or incorrect pleadings.