Intestate Succession in Washington
State-specific overview · Estate & Probate
Washington is a community property state where spouses receive significant preference in intestate succession.
How Washington treats Intestate Succession
Community property (assets acquired during marriage) passes entirely to the surviving spouse, while separate property follows standard intestacy rules. If the deceased leaves a spouse and children, the spouse typically receives the entire community property plus a substantial share of separate property. Washington's system heavily favors surviving spouses compared to common law states, reflecting the community property framework.
The general definition of Intestate Succession
The legal process of distributing a deceased person's property when they leave no valid will.
If someone dies without a will (or with an invalid will), state law determines who inherits their property. Each state has a set order of priority—usually spouse first, then children, then parents, then siblings. The court appoints an administrator to manage the estate and follow these statutory rules, even if the deceased person's wishes were different.
Read the full Intestate Succession entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Washington.