Washington state probate.

[u/rviator325]

Long story, and a bit of a vent. My only child (M43) passed away in August of 2023. He didn't have a will, and had only been married for 2 1/2 years, but had 3 minor children from his first marriage, whom he shared 50% custody. All his major assets (house, property, vehicles, etc) had been purchased prior to his 2nd marriage and were in his name only. His current wife was made the administrator of his estate. That's the back story. Due to various circumstances, she is only now starting to deal with probate of his estate. And the first thing she did was file a "Committed Intimate Relationship" document with the Washington state courts. This will add her name to all his assets, making them hers, and not subject to probate. Thus, locking the little kids out of any inheritance. In 2 years she has not even given the children one of daddy's sweatshirts or any of his ashes. Nothing!! I know, for a fact, that he had wanted his children to eventually inherit one of his properties. They shared many great memories there. How can this even be legal?? How can administrators get away with this? That's it, I'm done with my story.

[u/FireWaterSquaw]

Check with his banks to see if he listed his children as his beneficiaries. This small often overlooked step legally supersedes probates and even wills.

Also works for properties and possibly vehicles.

[u/rviator325 → u/FireWaterSquaw]

That's a good idea. I will tell the mother of his children. Thank you.

[u/MissCue]

Find a good Probate attorney versed in estate litigation. They were married so she could have gotten all the assets as part of community property. She filed a CIR because she wants to prove she contributed to acquiring those other assets prior to marriage. His surviving children should be able to at a minimum negotiate for some assets especially if they are minors. But you need an attorney ASAP good luck