FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 489

                                  C 157 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Appelwick and P. King) 

Revising provisions on probate.

House Committe on Judiciary

Senate Committee on Judiciary

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

State law provides a streamlined method of disposing of estates under $10,000.  A person who owes money to the decedent or who has personal property in his or her possession belonging to the decedent is required to pay the debt or turn the personal property over to the decedent's successor.  A successor is a person entitled to the payment or personal property through a will, community property law, or laws of intestate succession.

The debtor or person in possession of the personal property is required to satisfy the successor's request after certain requirements have been met.  These requirements include the notification of the Inheritance Tax Division of the state Department of Revenue of the successor's claim at least 10 days prior to taking possession of the payment or personal property.

The Inheritance Tax Division of the Department of Revenue has been discontinued, and some of its functions incorporated in other divisions.  The need to notify the department of a successor's claim has been reduced substantially due to restructuring.

SUMMARY:

The requirement that a successor notify the Inheritance Tax Division of the state Department of Revenue that the successor has a claim under this act is removed.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 96   0

      Senate    49     0

EFFECTIVE:April 22, 1987