DC Law GroupDC Law Group2026-06-19T12:30:12Zhttps://www.dclglawyers.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1103722/2024/04/cropped-favicon-new-32x32.pngby DC Law Group<![CDATA[Can You Change a Will by Crossing Something Out? (Washington)]]>https://www.dclglawyers.com/?p=474892026-06-19T12:22:26Z2026-06-10T19:09:37ZBy Matthew Cunanan, DC Law Group
The quick version: Sometimes, yes. In Washington, a person can cancel part of their own will by crossing it out — as long as they meant to cancel it. The law that allows this is RCW 11.12.040. But the rules about how a will is signed and changed (RCW 11.12.020) still matter, and courts look closely at what the person actually wanted. An old Washington case, In re Appleton’s Estate, says that if someone crosses out part of their will on purpose, that part can be dropped — as long as the rest of the will still makes sense on its own.
Think of a will like a grocery list you wrote yourself. You can scratch off an item you changed your mind about. But you can’t scribble a brand-new item at the bottom and expect the store to treat it the same way. Crossing out and adding are not the same.
Crossing out vs. adding new words
Crossing out part of your own will can work under RCW 11.12.040. But adding brand-new gifts, or changing who gets what, usually needs the formal steps — signing the change in front of witnesses — under RCW 11.12.020. Courts treat “taking away” and “adding” differently. Taking away is easier; adding is stricter.
What the court looks for
Two big questions: Did the person mean to cancel it? And did they do it themselves? In In re Appleton’s Estate, the court said a crossed-out part can be dropped if what is left still reads as a clear, sensible set of wishes. If crossing something out leaves the will confusing or impossible to read, that part can’t stand.
Why this matters in a family fight
After someone dies, families often argue about hand-written changes on a will. Whether a scratch-out counts can change who inherits and by how much. These cases turn on small details — the handwriting, what the person intended, and what is still readable. Most of these disputes are sorted out under Washington’s estate-fight law, TEDRA.
Talk to a Spokane estate lawyer
At DC Law Group, we help families deal with messy, marked-up, or last-minute wills. We’ll help you figure out what counts and what doesn’t. Call us at 206-677-9630.
Quick answers
Can I cross out part of my own will?
Possibly. Washington law (RCW 11.12.040) lets a person cancel part of their own will by crossing it out, if they meant to.
Can I add new gifts by writing them in?
Usually not without the formal signing-and-witness steps (RCW 11.12.020). Adding is treated more strictly than crossing out.
Who decides if a crossed-out will counts?
A judge, looking at what the person intended and whether the rest of the will still makes sense. (See In re Appleton’s Estate.)
This article gives general information about Washington law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not make us your lawyers.About the author:Matthew Cunanan is the founder of DC Law Group, a Spokane law firm. He has helped families and individuals with Washington estate and court cases for years. (Washington State Bar #42530.)]]>by DC Law Group<![CDATA[What Is TEDRA? Washington’s Law for Estate and Family Fights]]>https://www.dclglawyers.com/?p=474872026-06-19T12:22:40Z2026-06-10T19:09:25ZBy Matthew Cunanan, DC Law Group
The quick version: TEDRA is the nickname for a Washington law (RCW 11.96A) that handles fights over estates, wills, and trusts. If a family is arguing about who is in charge of a dead relative’s money, whether a will is real, or whether the person in charge is doing their job, TEDRA is usually the way to sort it out — through an agreement, a mediator, or a judge.
Think of TEDRA as the rulebook and the referee for estate disagreements. It doesn’t pick winners on its own. It gives everyone a fair, organized way to settle the fight.
What does TEDRA cover?
A lot of the common estate disagreements, including: naming or removing the person in charge of an estate; making that person show their records; arguing over what a will means; challenging a will; and questions about trusts. If it’s a fight about a dead person’s money or wishes, TEDRA (RCW 11.96A) is usually where it lives.
How TEDRA works, step by step
Someone files a written request with the court asking it to fix a problem. Everyone with a stake in the estate gets told about it ahead of time — Washington requires that notice before a hearing (RCW 11.96A.110). Then the family has choices: they can agree on a fix, bring in a neutral mediator to help them settle, or let a judge decide if they can’t agree.
Why TEDRA is good news for families
It’s flexible. Many estate fights end in an agreement instead of a long, expensive court battle. That saves time, money, and a lot of stress. Picture it less like a boxing match and more like a guided sit-down where everyone gets heard.
Talk to a Spokane estate lawyer
At DC Law Group, we guide families through TEDRA cases — from a simple letter to a full court hearing. We’ll help you figure out the fastest, fairest way to settle the fight. Call us at 206-677-9630.
Quick answers
What does TEDRA stand for?
The Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act. It’s Washington’s main law (RCW 11.96A) for sorting out estate, will, and trust disagreements.
Do TEDRA cases always go to trial?
No. Many settle through an agreement or with a mediator. A judge decides only if the family can’t agree.
Can I use TEDRA to remove the person in charge of an estate?
Yes — that’s one of the most common uses. Here’s how removal works.
This article gives general information about Washington law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not make us your lawyers.About the author:Matthew Cunanan is the founder of DC Law Group, a Spokane law firm. He has helped families and individuals with Washington estate and court cases for years. (Washington State Bar #42530.)]]>by DC Law Group<![CDATA[Removing or Disqualifying a Personal Representative in Washington — A Complete Guide]]>https://www.dclglawyers.com/?p=474912026-06-19T12:27:11Z2026-06-10T19:09:12ZProbate › Estate Litigation › Removing a Personal Representative By Matthew Cunanan, DC Law Group — a plain-English guide for families, and for the lawyers learning from them.Who this is for: family members, heirs, or anyone watching a Washington estate being handled badly — and the newer lawyers helping them. This guide explains, in plain words, how to stop the wrong person from running an estate, plus the exact laws, steps, and court forms. The 30-second version: There are two ways the wrong person gets taken off an estate. Disqualification means the law never allowed them to serve in the first place (RCW 11.36.010). Removal means they were allowed to serve, but they’re doing a bad job and a judge takes them off (RCW 11.28.250). Both go through Washington’s estate-dispute law, TEDRA (RCW 11.96A).
Personal representative — the person in charge of the estate. With a will, often called the “executor”; without one, the “administrator.”
Letters — the court’s official paper that gives that person the job. “Revoking letters” just means taking the job away.
TEDRA — a Washington law (RCW 11.96A) for sorting out estate fights.
Two different things: disqualification vs. removal
People mix these up. They’re not the same. Disqualification is about the start: the law lists people who simply aren’t allowed to serve (RCW 11.36.010). Removal is about behavior: the person was allowed to serve, but a judge takes them off for doing a bad job (RCW 11.28.250). Think of a driver’s license — disqualification is never being allowed to drive; removal is losing the license because of how you drove.
Who is not allowed to serve
Under RCW 11.36.010, these people are not qualified to run an estate:
People under 18.
People who are not of sound mind.
People convicted of a felony, or of a crime involving dishonesty (the law calls it “moral turpitude”).
Most corporations and companies — with exceptions, like banks and trust companies.
There’s also a rule for people who live outside Washington: they can serve, but usually only if they name someone inside the state to accept legal papers, or hire a Washington lawyer. If the person in charge fits one of these groups, you may be able to undo their appointment without proving they did anything wrong — the law simply didn’t allow it.
Good reasons to remove someone
If the person was allowed to serve but is doing a bad job, RCW 11.28.250 lets a judge remove them. The big reasons:
Wasting, stealing, or mismanaging the estate’s money.
Committing fraud against the estate.
Hiding records or refusing to show where the money went.
A serious conflict of interest.
Simply not doing the job.
The law also has a catch-all line for “any other good reason” — the law’s junk drawer for bad behavior that doesn’t fit the other boxes. Judges really do this. In In re Estate of Jones, the state’s top court removed a man who signed the estate’s house over to himself and mixed its money with his own. In In re Estate of Reugh, the court removed two people who tried to twist the will to pay themselves. And because the person is holding money that isn’t theirs, a court (Tucker v. Brown) can order them to give back the fees they took. Short version: How to remove a personal representative.
Step-by-step: how to ask the court
The basic path (your facts and county can change the details):
Gather your proof. Bank records, emails, the will, and a simple timeline of what went wrong.
Ask for the records first. The person in charge must give you a list of what the estate owns (RCW 11.44.015), and a judge can order them to show where the money went (RCW 11.76.010). Refusing helps your case.
File a written request (a TEDRA petition). Under TEDRA (RCW 11.96A), you file a petition laying out the facts — backed by a sworn statement — explaining why the person should be removed or replaced.
Give everyone notice. The people involved must be told about the hearing ahead of time (RCW 11.96A.110).
Go to the hearing. A judge looks at the proof and decides what is best for the estate and the family.
Important: even if the will let the person handle things without a judge looking over their shoulder (“nonintervention” powers), the court can still step in and remove them (RCW 11.68.070).
Court forms and where to get them
You don’t have to build these papers from scratch. Free, official sources:
WashingtonLawHelp.org — free, plain-language self-help guides and forms for people representing themselves.
Always check the county where the estate case is filed; local courts sometimes have their own versions.
What happens after
If the judge agrees, the person’s “letters” are revoked — their job is over — and the court appoints someone else to finish the estate. The removed person usually has to hand over all money, property, and records and file a final accounting. They can also be held responsible for losses they caused, and can lose their fees.
Costs and fees
Going to court costs money — a filing fee, plus your time or a lawyer’s. The good news: if the person in charge behaved badly, a judge can sometimes order their share of the estate (not the family’s) to cover the cost of cleaning up the mess. Ask the court to deal with fees as part of your request.
Quick answers
What’s the difference between disqualification and removal?
Disqualification means the person was never allowed to serve (RCW 11.36.010). Removal means a judge takes them off for doing a bad job (RCW 11.28.250).
Do I have to prove wrongdoing to disqualify someone?
Not always. If they fall into a disqualified group (like a minor or a convicted felon), the point is that the law didn’t allow them in the first place.
Can I do this myself, without a lawyer?
Many people do. Use the official forms above and follow the steps. A guide like this can’t replace advice for your exact situation, but it can help you understand the process and the words. Related short reads: making an executor show the money and what TEDRA is.
When to call a lawyer
Some estate fights are simple; others get messy fast — missing money, a hostile family, a house mid-sale. If you’re unsure, talk to someone before a deadline passes. At DC Law Group, we help families across Washington remove the wrong person and protect the estate. Call us at 206-677-9630. This guide gives general information about Washington law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not make us your lawyers.About the author:Matthew Cunanan is the founder of DC Law Group, a Spokane law firm. He has helped families and individuals with Washington estate and court cases for years. (Washington State Bar #42530.)]]>by DC Law Group<![CDATA[How to Make an Executor Show the Estate’s Money in Washington]]>https://www.dclglawyers.com/?p=474852026-06-19T12:22:57Z2026-06-10T19:08:48ZBy Matthew Cunanan, DC Law Group Want the bigger picture? Our full guide covers how to remove the person in charge, the law, the steps, and court forms: Removing or Disqualifying a Personal Representative in Washington.The quick version: When someone dies, the court puts a person in charge of their money and property — the “executor” or “administrator.” That person has to keep clear records and show them to the family. If they won’t, you can ask a judge to make them. Washington law says they must make a list of everything the estate owns (RCW 11.44.015), and a judge can order them to show exactly where every dollar went (RCW 11.76.010). Most of these requests go through Washington’s estate law nicknamed TEDRA (RCW 11.96A). Picture a group trip where one friend holds everyone’s cash. The least they can do is keep the receipts. The estate’s money works the same way — the person holding it has to be able to show where it went.
What is an “accounting”?
An accounting is just a clear report. It shows three things: what money and property came in, what went out (and to whom), and what is left. In plain words: the receipts and the math.
What you have a right to see
Two things. First, a list of everything the estate owns — Washington law (RCW 11.44.015) requires it. Second, the full money report, which a judge can order under RCW 11.76.010. You don’t have to take the person’s word for it.
What to do if they stall
Start by asking in writing, and keep a copy. If they still won’t show you, ask the court to order it. Here’s the thing: stalling usually backfires. The person is holding money that isn’t theirs, and a Washington court has treated the person in charge like someone holding the family’s money in trust. Hiding the records makes them look worse, not better.
What if the numbers look wrong?
If the records show missing money or spending that doesn’t add up, you have stronger options. You can ask the court to remove the person, put someone better in charge, and even make them pay the money back. Here’s how to remove the person in charge of an estate.
Talk to a Spokane estate lawyer
At DC Law Group, we help families get answers when the person running an estate won’t open the books. We’ll help you ask the right way and, if needed, take it to court. Call us at 206-677-9630.
Quick answers
Can I force an executor to show me the money?
Yes. They must file a list of what the estate owns (RCW 11.44.015), and a judge can order a full money report (RCW 11.76.010).
What if money is missing?
You can ask the court to remove them and make them pay back what is gone. Here’s how removal works. This article gives general information about Washington law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not make us your lawyers.About the author:Matthew Cunanan is the founder of DC Law Group, a Spokane law firm. He has helped families and individuals with Washington estate and court cases for years. (Washington State Bar #42530.)]]>by DC Law Group<![CDATA[DC Law Group’s Spokane Office — Now Serving Eastern Washington]]>https://www.dclglawyers.com/?p=474952026-06-19T12:23:13Z2026-06-10T18:21:44ZBy Matthew Cunanan, DC Law Group
We’re in Spokane. DC Law Group opened a Spokane office on August 1, 2025. People across eastern Washington can now get the same help we’ve given clients on the west side for years — without the long drive over the mountains.
Where to find us
DC Law Group — Spokane
4019 S. Cheney-Spokane Rd., Suite #8
Spokane, WA 99224
Phone: 206-677-9630
We’re still in Burien, too, serving the Washington area — same team, now in two parts of the state.
What we help with
Our work is the same in Spokane as it is on the coast. We handle court fights and disputes, including:
Probate and estate fights — like removing the person in charge of an estate, or sorting out a will.
Eastern Washington shouldn’t have to travel west for serious legal help. A local office means easier meetings, a shorter trip to court, and someone nearby who knows Washington law. Think of it as opening a second door — same firm, closer to home.
Come say hello
If you’re in Spokane or anywhere in eastern Washington and you’re facing a legal fight, reach out. Call DC Law Group at 206-677-9630.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not make us your lawyers.About the author:Matthew Cunanan is the founder of DC Law Group, with offices in Spokane and Burien, Washington. (Washington State Bar #42530.)]]>by DC Law Group<![CDATA[How to Remove a Personal Representative in Washington]]>https://www.dclglawyers.com/?p=474742026-06-19T12:23:28Z2026-06-10T17:26:25ZBy Matthew Cunanan, DC Law Group This is the short version. For the full step-by-step guide — with the law, the procedure, and court forms — read our complete guide: Removing or Disqualifying a Personal Representative in Washington.The quick version: When someone dies, a court puts a person in charge of their money and property. The legal name for that person is the “personal representative” — you may also hear “executor” or “administrator.” If that person is doing a bad job — losing money, hiding what they’re doing, or helping themselves — you can ask a judge to take them off the job. A Washington law, RCW 11.28.250, lets the judge do that. Most of these cases go through another Washington law nicknamed TEDRA, RCW 11.96A. And if that person paid themselves out of the estate while doing a bad job, the judge can make them give the money back. Here’s an easy way to picture it. The person in charge is like a house-sitter who gets the keys and the checkbook. The house and the money are not theirs. They’re just holding it for the family. So the law keeps a close eye on them — and gives you ways to step in if they go too far.
Who is allowed to speak up?
Anyone who has something to lose. If you were going to inherit, your name is in the will, or you’re also helping run the estate, you can ask the court to step in. In plain words: if their bad job costs your family money, you get a say.
What is a good enough reason to remove them?
You can’t remove someone just because you don’t like them. The judge needs a real reason. The law (RCW 11.28.250) lists the big ones: wasting the money, stealing it, being careless with it, lying, or simply not doing the job. It also adds a catch-all line for “any other good reason.” Think of that part as the law’s junk drawer — it’s there for bad behavior that doesn’t fit the other boxes. The main idea is simple. This person is handling money that isn’t theirs, so the law expects them to be honest and careful with it. If they cheat and take money for themselves, a judge can even say they don’t get paid at all. A court explained this in Waits v. Hamlin, which points back to an older case, Tucker v. Brown. And judges really do this. In one Washington case, In re Estate of Jones, the state’s highest court agreed to remove a man who signed the family home over to himself, mixed the estate’s money with his own, and used its property like it was his. In another, In re Estate of Reugh, the court removed two people in charge who tried to twist the will to pay themselves. Different stories, same ending: take what isn’t yours, and you can lose the job.
Make them show the books
You have a right to know what the estate owns and where the money is going. The person in charge must make a list of everything the estate owns — a Washington law, RCW 11.44.015, requires it — and a judge can order them to show exactly where the money went, under RCW 11.76.010. If they keep dodging, that alone helps your case to remove them. People with nothing to hide don’t hide the books.
Getting the money back
The person in charge can be paid a fair amount for the work — but not if they broke the rules. If they wasted the estate or quietly paid themselves while everyone else lost out, a judge can make them return the money. It’s like being told to hand back a paycheck you didn’t earn.
How does this actually work?
Most of these cases use TEDRA, RCW 11.96A, the Washington law for estate fights. The steps usually look like this: collect your proof (bank records, emails, and a simple timeline of what went wrong), ask for the list of property and the money records, and then ask the court — in writing — to remove the person, put someone better in charge, and make them pay back what the estate lost. The judge decides based on what is best for the estate and the family. One helpful point: even if the will let this person handle things on their own without checking in with a judge, the court can still step in and remove them, under RCW 11.68.070.
Talk to a Spokane estate lawyer
At DC Law Group, we help families deal with a person in charge of an estate who has gone too far. We’ll help you gather the proof, file the right paperwork, and protect what your family is supposed to receive. Call us at 206-677-9630.
Quick answers
What is a good reason to remove the person in charge of an estate?
Wasting or stealing the money, being careless with it, lying, hiding the records, or simply not doing the job. It’s all in the law, RCW 11.28.250.
Can I make them show me where the money went?
Yes. They must make a list of everything the estate owns (RCW 11.44.015), and a judge can order them to show exactly where the money went (RCW 11.76.010).
Can a person who did a bad job still get paid?
Often not. If they broke the rules, a judge can make them give the money back — because it was never their money to keep. This article gives general information about Washington law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not make us your lawyers.About the author:Matthew Cunanan is the founder of DC Law Group, a Spokane law firm. He has helped families and individuals with Washington estate and court cases for years. (Washington State Bar #42530.)]]>On Behalf of DC Law Group<![CDATA[WRITING YOUR OWN WILL: HOW SAVING A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS UP FRONT CAN COST YOU THOUSANDS]]>https://www.dclglawyers.com/?p=470722024-03-19T06:45:28Z2024-03-19T05:21:07ZOn Behalf of DC Law Group<![CDATA[DO I NEED A LAWYER TO BUILD A NEW HOME?]]>https://www.dclglawyers.com/?p=470772024-03-19T06:44:31Z2024-03-19T05:21:07ZOn Behalf of DC Law Group<![CDATA[WHAT IS LIEN STRIPPING AND WILL IT WORK FOR YOU?]]>https://www.dclglawyers.com/?p=470762024-03-19T06:44:38Z2024-03-19T05:21:07ZOn Behalf of DC Law Group<![CDATA[HOA? TALK TO A REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY]]>https://www.dclglawyers.com/?p=470752026-06-19T12:24:48Z2024-03-19T05:21:07Z