Washington Code 11.24.010 – Contest of probate or rejection — Limitation of action — Issues
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If any person interested in any will shall appear within four months immediately following the probate or rejection thereof, and by petition to the court having jurisdiction contest the validity of said will, or appear to have the will proven which has been rejected, he or she shall file a petition containing his or her objections and exceptions to said will, or to the rejection thereof. Issues respecting the competency of the deceased to make a last will and testament, or respecting the execution by a deceased of the last will and testament under restraint or undue influence or fraudulent representations, or for any other cause affecting the validity of the will or a part of it, shall be tried and determined by the court.
Terms Used In Washington Code 11.24.010
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- person: may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual. See Washington Code 1.16.080
- Personal representative: includes executor, administrator, special administrator, and conservator or limited conservator and special representative. See Washington Code 11.02.005
- Probate: Proving a will
- Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.
For the purpose of tolling the four-month limitations period, a contest is deemed commenced when a petition is filed with the court and not when served upon the personal representative. The petitioner shall personally serve the personal representative within ninety days after the date of filing the petition. If, following filing, service is not so made, the action is deemed to not have been commenced for purposes of tolling the statute of limitations.
If no person files and serves a petition within the time under this section, the probate or rejection of such will shall be binding and final.
[ 2007 c 475 § 4; 1994 c 221 § 21; 1971 c 7 § 1; 1967 c 168 § 6; 1965 c 145 § 11.24.010. Prior: 1917 c 156 § 15; RRS § 1385; prior: 1891 p 382 § 8; Code 1881 § 1360; 1863 p 213 § 96; 1860 p 176 § 63.]
NOTES:
Effective dates—1994 c 221: See note following RCW 11.100.035.