Wash. Rev. Code » Title 11 · Chapter 11.48
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 11.48.010 (2026)

General powers and duties

✓ current as of May 2026
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It shall be the duty of every personal representative to settle the estate, including the administration of any nonprobate assets within control of the personal representative under RCW 11.18.200, in his or her hands as rapidly and as quickly as possible, without sacrifice to the probate or nonprobate estate. The personal representative shall collect all debts due the deceased and pay all debts as hereinafter provided. The personal representative shall be authorized in his or her own name to maintain and prosecute such actions as pertain to the management and settlement of the estate, and may institute suit to collect any debts due the estate or to recover any property, real or personal, or for trespass of any kind or character.
[ 1994 c 221 s 30; 1965 c 145 s 11.48.010. Prior: 1917 c 156 s 147; RRS s 1517; prior: Code 1881 s 1528; 1854 p 291 s 141.]

Notes:

Effective dates—1994 c 221: See note following RCW 11.100.035.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 33 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 1965–2025 · leading case: In re the Est. of Wimberley, 349 P.3d 11 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015).
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In re the Est. of Wimberley, 349 P.3d 11 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “200; RCW 11.48.010. The trial court, under Washington’s Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act, ch.”
Matter of Est. of Morris, 949 P.2d 401 (Wash. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 2× “066, RCW 11.48.010. Although some interim investment of estate assets may be appropriate, generally a personal representative is not faced with making long-term investment decisions because of his or her duty to close the estate as quickly as possible.”
In Re the Disciplinary Proceeding Against Talbot, 728 P.2d 595 (Wash. 1986). “He failed to comply with RCW 11.48.010. Talbot was sued by the decedent's heirs.”
Gwinn v. Church of the Nazarene, 405 P.2d 602 (Wash. 1965). “By RCW 11.48.010, it is made the duty of every executor “to settle the estate in his hands as rapidly and as quickly as possible.”
Garten v. Daley, 91 P.3d 96 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “RCW 11.48.010, .020, .060, .070, .090. Lennon, 108 Wn.”
Rudolph Wacker, V John R. Wacker (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 10× “Rudolph appeals, asserting that because the real property transfer was fraudulent and the personal representative was conflicted, he had standing to sue even though RCW 11.48.010 authorizes only the personal representative to bring claims on the estate’s behalf.”
In the Matter of Est. of Krappes, 91 P.3d 96 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “[9] RCW 11.48.010; .020; .060; .070; .090. [10] Lennon, 108 Wash.”
Collins v. Washington Mut. Sav. Bank, 700 P.2d 771 (Wash. Ct. App. 1985). “It further found that the Bank had acted in good faith pursuant to RCW 11.48.010 and that distribution of the estate had not been postponed by unreasonable delay on the part of the Bank.”
In Re The Est. Of: Taylor Griffith (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 5× “I understand that the basic duties of a Personal Representative are described in RCW 11.48.010, as follows: RCW 11.48.010 General powers and duties.”
Est. Of David Lynch, App V. Washington Healthcare Auth., Resp (Wash. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 4× “010 provides in part: It shall be the duty of every personal representative to settle the estate, including the administration of any nonprobate assets within control of the personal representative under RCW 11.18.200, in his or her hands as rapidly and as quickly as possible,…”
Gary Waddoups v. Nationwide Life Ins. Co. (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 3× “RCW 11.48.010 declares: It shall be the duty of every personal representative to settle the estate, including the administration of any nonprobate assets within control of the personal representative under RCW 11.”
Beverly Young, Blake Boatman, Apps. v. Brian Boatman, Res. (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “Under RCW 11.48.010, only the personal representative has the authority to "maintain and prosecute" actions on behalf of the estate.”
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