If the department furnishes funeral assistance for deceased recipients under *RCW
74.08.120, the department shall have a lien against those assets left to a surviving spouse or minor children under those conditions defined in *RCW
74.08.120. The lien is valid for six years from the date of filing with the county auditor and has preference over the claims of all unsecured creditors. If the assets remain exempt or if no probate is commenced, the lien automatically terminates without further action six years after filing.