Washington probate, civil and family deadlines
28 deadlines · Last checked 24 October 2026
Each entry gives the period, what starts it, the citation and the words the rule uses. The short label cannot carry every condition, so read the quotation and the rule itself.
This is reference information, not legal advice. Check the current rule and any local rule or court order before relying on it.
Probate
Claims barred 24 months after death
24 months after the date of death
(c) If notice was not provided under this chapter or chapter 11.42 RCW, the creditor must present the claim within twenty-four months after the decedent's date of death.
RCW 11.40.051(1)(b)(ii), (c), (3) · Checked 20 October 2026 · Read the rule
Notice of appointment and pendency of probate
20 days after the date letters were issued
Within 20 days after appointment, the personal representative of the estate of a decedent, or an attorney performing services for the estate at the instance of the personal representative, shall cause written notice of his or her appointment and the pendency of said probate proceedings, to be served personally or by mail to each heir, legatee and devisee of the estate
RCW 11.28.237(1) · Checked 20 October 2026 · Read the rule
Inventory and appraisement
3 months after the date letters were issued
(1) Within three months after appointment, unless a longer time shall be granted by the court, every personal representative shall make and verify by affidavit a true inventory and appraisement of all of the property of the estate
RCW 11.44.015(1), (2) · Checked 20 October 2026 · Read the rule
Four months to contest the will
4 months after the order admitting the will
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
RCW 11.24.010 · Checked 20 October 2026 · Read the rule
Creditor claims barred four months after first publication
4 months after the first publication of notice to creditors
(i) If the creditor was not reasonably ascertainable ..., the creditor must present the claim within four months after the date of first publication of notice;
RCW 11.40.051(1)(a), (b)(i); 11.40.020(1)(b) · Checked 20 October 2026 · Read the rule
Probate notes
No day is worked out for these. Read the rule.
Notice to creditors is optional and has no day count
a personal representative may give notice to the creditors of the decedent
RCW 11.40.020(1); 11.28.237(2) · Checked 20 October 2026 · Read the rule
A rejected claim: 30 days to sue from each notification
If the personal representative rejects a claim, in whole or in part, the claimant must bring suit against the personal representative within thirty days after notification of rejection or the claim is forever barred.
RCW 11.40.100(1) · Checked 20 October 2026 · Read the rule
Nonintervention estates close by declaration, with no fixed date
shall, when the administration of the estate has been completed, file a declaration
RCW 11.68.110(1), (3), (4) · Checked 20 October 2026 · Read the rule
Civil
Serve a defendant (or start publication) to keep limitations tolled
90 days after the complaint was filed
or commence service by publication within ninety days from the date of filing the complaint. ... the action shall be deemed to not have been commenced for purposes of tolling the statute of limitations.
RCW 4.16.170 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Answer due
20 days after the summons and complaint were served
Within 20 days, exclusive of the day of service, after the service of the summons and ... complaint upon the defendant pursuant to rule 4;
CR 12(a)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Answer due after CR 12 motion denied or postponed
10 days after the court decided the motion
the responsive pleading shall be served within 10 days after notice of the court’s action.
CR 12(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Response to amended pleading due
10 days after the amended pleading was served
or within 10 days after service of the amended pleading, whichever period may be the longer,
CR 15(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Interrogatory answers and objections due
30 days after the discovery requests were served
The party upon whom the interrogatories have been served shall serve a copy of the answers, and objections if any, within 30 ... days after the service of the interrogatories, except that a defendant may serve answers or objections within 40 days
CR 33(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Response to requests for production due
30 days after the discovery requests were served
(A) Time to Respond. The responding party shall serve a written response within 30 days after the service of the request,
CR 34(b)(3)(A) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Response to requests for admission due (else deemed admitted)
30 days after the discovery requests were served
The matter is admitted unless, within 30 days after service of the request, or within such shorter or longer time
CR 36(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Motion and notice of hearing served
5 court days before the hearing
shall be served not later than 5 days before the time specified for the hearing
CR 6(d) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Opposing affidavits served
1 court day before the hearing
opposing affidavits may be served not later than 1 day before the hearing
CR 6(d) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Summary judgment motion filed and served
28 days before the hearing
not later than 28 calendar days before the hearing.
CR 56(c) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Summary judgment opposition due
11 days before the hearing
not later than 11 calendar days before the hearing.
CR 56(c) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Summary judgment rebuttal due
5 days before the hearing
The moving party may file and serve any rebuttal documents not later than 5 calendar days prior to the hearing.
CR 56(c) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Last day to hear summary judgment motion
15 days before trial
Summary judgment motions shall be heard more than 14 calendar days before the date set for trial
CR 56(c) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Motion for new trial or reconsideration filed
10 days after judgment was entered
A motion for a new trial or for reconsideration shall be filed not later than 10 days after the entry of the judgment,
CR 59(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Motion to alter or amend judgment filed
10 days after judgment was entered
A motion to alter or amend the judgment shall be filed not later than 10 days after entry of the judgment.
CR 59(h) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Motion for attorney fees and expenses
10 days after judgment was entered
Unless otherwise provided by statute or order of the court, ... the motion must be filed no later than 10 days after entry of judgment.
CR 54(d)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Cost bill filed
10 days after judgment was entered
If the party to whom costs are awarded does not file a cost bill or an affidavit detailing disbursements ... within 10 days after the entry of the judgment, the clerk shall tax costs and disbursements pursuant to CR 78(e).
CR 54(d)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Notice of appeal filed in trial court
30 days after judgment was entered
court within the longer of (1) 30 days after the entry of the decision of the trial court that the party filing the notice
RAP 5.2(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Outer limit: CR 60(b)(1)-(3) motion
12 months after judgment was entered
The motion shall be made within a reasonable time and for reasons (1), (2) or (3) not more ... than 1 year after the judgment, order, or proceeding was entered or taken.
CR 60(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Civil notes
No day is worked out for these. Read the rule.
60 days to answer: out-of-state personal service, publication, jail/prison
Within 60 days after the service of the summons upon the defendant if the summons is ... served upon the defendant personally out of the state in accordance with RCW 4.28.180 and
CR 12(a)(2)-(4) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Motion responses are counted back from the hearing
opposing affidavits may be served not later than 1 day before the hearing
CR 6(d); CR 56(c) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Appeal time after a timely post-trial motion
motions designated in this section must be filed in the trial court within (1) 30 days after the entry of the order, or (2)
RAP 5.2(e) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Service by mail on a court order: 90 days from mailing
shall require the defendant to appear and answer the complaint within 90 days from the date of mailing.
CR 4(d)(4) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Cross-appeal: 14 days after their notice is served, or your own time if later
within the later of (1) 14 days after service of the notice filed by the other party
RAP 5.2(f) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Family
Earliest decree date (once 90 days from filing have passed)
90 days after the petition was filedEarliest day, not a last day: the day after this period
ninety days have elapsed since the petition was filed ... from the date when service of summons was made upon the respondent or the first publication of summons was made,
RCW 26.09.030 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Earliest decree date (once 90 days from service have passed)
90 days after the petition was servedEarliest day, not a last day: the day after this period
ninety days have elapsed since the petition was filed ... from the date when service of summons was made upon the respondent or the first publication of summons was made,
RCW 26.09.030 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Response to dissolution petition due
20 days after the petition was served
Within 20 days, exclusive of the day of service, after the service of the summons and
CR 12(a)(1), applied by RCW 26.09.010(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Notice of appeal from final family decree
30 days after the judgment was entered
court within the longer of (1) 30 days after the entry of the decision of the trial court that the party filing the notice
RAP 5.2(a); RAP 2.2(a)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Family notes
No day is worked out for these. Read the rule.
Appeal time after a timely post-trial motion
motions designated in this section must be filed in the trial court within (1) 30 days after the entry of the order, or (2)
RAP 5.2(e) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Civil post-judgment motions apply to dissolution decrees
the practice in civil action shall govern all proceedings under this chapter
RCW 26.09.010(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Service by mail on a court order: 90 days from mailing
shall require the defendant to appear and answer the complaint within 90 days from the date of mailing.
CR 4(d)(4) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Cross-appeal: 14 days after their notice is served, or your own time if later
within the later of (1) 14 days after service of the notice filed by the other party
RAP 5.2(f) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Counting days under the court rules
The last day of the period so computed shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday ... When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than 7 days, ... intermediate Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation.
Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R. (CR) 6(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
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This is reference information, not legal advice. Check the current rule and any local rule or court order before relying on it.