Probate: Case Details Tab
This article covers the Case Details tab in the Testate Probate Opening Package. The Case Details tab controls case caption information, venue, and several questions that directly affect the petition language and legal strategy. Review and complete all fields on this tab every time — some fields appear conditionally based on the decedent's marital status and when the petition is being filed.
Your responses here affect the Petition, the proposed Order, bond exemption analysis, and certain notice and waiver requirements.
Case Number and Court Information
Enter the case number if one has already been assigned, and select the court county. If the matter is filed in King County, an additional field will appear to select the courthouse location.
If no case number has been assigned yet, leave that field blank. You can return to enter it once the case has been filed.
Proof of Death
Select how you will provide proof of the decedent's death to the court.
| Redacted death certificate with cover sheet | The most common method. The system generates a cover sheet to accompany the redacted certificate. |
| Attorney declaration confirming possession of the certificate | An attorney declaration is included in the petition package in lieu of filing the certificate itself. |
| Attorney declaration confirming death via funeral home | Used when the attorney has confirmed the decedent's death through the funeral home rather than through possession of the certificate. Enter the funeral home name when prompted. |
| Redacted death certificate without a cover sheet | Files the certificate directly without a cover sheet. |
| Use a custom description | Enter your own description of how proof of death will be provided. |
Sole Spouse Beneficiary
This question appears when the decedent was married at death. It asks whether the surviving spouse is the only beneficiary of the probate estate.
| Answer Yes | The entire probate estate is to be distributed to the surviving spouse. There are no other estate beneficiaries. |
| Answer No | There are other estate beneficiaries in addition to the surviving spouse — for example, children or other parties named in the Will. |
This answer has significant downstream consequences
Your response determines whether the bond exemption under RCW 11.28.185 applies, affects nonintervention power eligibility, and controls whether certain spousal waiver documents are required. Review the Will carefully before answering.
40-Day Filing Window
This question appears when the decedent was married at death. It asks whether the petition will be filed within 40 calendar days of the decedent's death.
Under RCW 11.28.030, a surviving spouse has a preferential right to administer community property. When a non-spouse petitioner files within 40 days, the petition must account for the spouse's community property administration rights — typically through a spousal waiver. The system uses your answer here to determine which notice and waiver documents are required on the Notices & Waivers tab.
If you are unsure whether the 40-day window applies, answer Yes. The system will generate the appropriate spousal waiver language. It is better to include the waiver unnecessarily than to omit it when required.
Guardian ad Litem Reminder
If a Probate GAL is required or if a waiver of GAL appointment may apply based on the parties you have entered, a reminder will appear on this tab. This is an informational notice only — the GAL workflow itself is handled on the Guardian ad Litem tab.
If this reminder appears, complete the Guardian ad Litem tab before proceeding to the Petitioner Information tab.