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House committee hears bill to block 'probate for‑profit' schemes and tighten venue, oversight
Summary
House Bill 2445 would extend waiting periods before third parties may take control of estates, limit non‑intervention authority, cap petitions by nonfinancial appointees, and require probate venue tied to the decedent's residence or estate property to curb alleged profiteering in Washington probates.
House Bill 2445, introduced at the Jan. 27 House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee hearing, would revise Washington probate law to limit opportunities for outside parties to take control of estates when a person dies without a will. The sponsor and Attorney General's staff said the changes respond to investigations in which third parties allegedly siphoned assets from estates and sold properties without heirs' notice.
Yelena Baker, staff to the committee, told members HB 2445 lengthens the initial priority period (from 40 days to at least 90 days) before a court may appoint a so‑called “suitable person” to administer an estate and bars most such appointees from seeking non‑intervention powers. The bill would permit non‑intervention powers only for trust companies, national…
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