Wash. Rev. Code » Title 11 · Chapter 11.12
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 11.12.051 (2026)

Dissolution, invalidation, or termination of marriage or domestic partnership

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) If, after making a will, the testator's marriage or domestic partnership is dissolved, invalidated, or terminated, all provisions in the will in favor of or granting any interest or power to the testator's former spouse or former domestic partner are revoked, unless the will expressly provides otherwise. Provisions affected by this section must be interpreted, and property affected passes, as if the former spouse or former domestic partner failed to survive the testator, having died at the time of entry of the decree of dissolution or declaration of invalidity. Provisions revoked by this section are revived by the testator's remarriage to the former spouse or reregistration of the domestic partnership with the former domestic partner. Revocation of certain nonprobate transfers is provided under RCW 11.07.010.
(2) This section is remedial in nature and applies to decrees of dissolution and declarations of invalidity entered before, on, or after January 1, 1995.
[ 2008 c 6 s 910; 1994 c 221 s 11.]

Notes:

Part headings not law—Severability—2008 c 6: See RCW 26.60.900 and 26.60.901.
Effective dates—1994 c 221: See note following RCW 11.100.035.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases, 2000–2016 · leading case: In Re the Est. of Mower, 374 P.3d 180 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016).
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In Re the Est. of Mower, 374 P.3d 180 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 96× “051 as a provision “in favor of” a testator’s former spouse, (2) the bequest to the Schulers fails because its conditions precedent have not been met, and (3) the assets covered by the bequest to the Schulers should pass via intestacy.”
Mearns v. Scharbach, 12 P.3d 1048 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “010, legislators were informed that under the will revocation statute, RCW 11.12.051, a divorced testator could give a former spouse a gift under his or her will only by executing a new will following the divorce.”
Mearns v. Scharbach, 103 Wash. App. 498 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “010, legislators were informed that under the will revocation statute, RCW 11.12.051, a divorced testator could give a former spouse a gift under his or her will only by executing a new will following the divorce.”
Bay v. Est. of Bay, 105 P.3d 434 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “RCW 11.12.051. This left Kelly and Eric as the sole beneficiaries of the will.”
Bay v. Est. of Bay, 125 Wash. App. 468 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “” RCW 11.12.051(1). This left Kelly and Eric as the sole beneficiaries of the will.”
Mearns v. Scharbach, 5 P.3d 29 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “010, legislators were informed that under the will revocation statute, RCW 11.12.051, a divorced testator could give a former spouse a gift under his or her will only by executing a new will following the divorce.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 11.12.051(1) — 2 cases
In Re the Est. of Mower, 374 P.3d 180 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “051 as a provision “in favor of” a testator’s former spouse, (2) the bequest to the Schulers fails because its conditions precedent have not been met, and (3) the assets covered by the bequest to the Schulers should pass via intestacy.”
Bay v. Est. of Bay, 125 Wash. App. 468 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “” RCW 11.12.051(1). This left Kelly and Eric as the sole beneficiaries of the will.”
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