(1) At any time after forty days from the date of a decedent's death, any person who is indebted to or who has possession of any personal property belonging to the decedent or to the decedent and his or her surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner as a community, which debt or personal property is an asset which is subject to probate, shall pay such indebtedness or deliver such personal property, or so much of either as is claimed, to a person claiming to be a successor of the decedent upon receipt of proof of death and of an affidavit made by said person which meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section.

     (2) An affidavit which is to be made pursuant to this section shall state:

     (a) The claiming successor's name and address, and that the claiming successor is a "successor" as defined in RCW 11.62.005;

     (b) That the decedent was a resident of the state of Washington on the date of his or her death;

     (c) That the value of the decedent's entire estate subject to probate, not including the surviving spouse's or surviving domestic partner's community property interest in any assets which are subject to probate in the decedent's estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars;

     (d) That forty days have elapsed since the death of the decedent;

     (e) That no application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction;

     (f) That all debts of the decedent including funeral and burial expenses have been paid or provided for;

     (g) A description of the personal property and the portion thereof claimed, together with a statement that such personal property is subject to probate;

     (h) That the claiming successor has given written notice, either by personal service or by mail, identifying his or her claim, and describing the property claimed, to all other successors of the decedent, and that at least ten days have elapsed since the service or mailing of such notice; and

     (i) That the claiming successor is either personally entitled to full payment or delivery of the property claimed or is entitled to full payment or delivery thereof on the behalf and with the written authority of all other successors who have an interest therein.

     (3) A transfer agent of any security shall change the registered ownership of the security claimed from the decedent to the person claiming to be the successor with respect to such security upon the presentation of proof of death and of an affidavit made by such person which meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section. Any governmental agency required to issue certificates of ownership or of license registration to personal property shall issue a new certificate of ownership or of license registration to a person claiming to be a successor of the decedent upon receipt of proof of death and of an affidavit made by such person which meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section.

     (4) No release from any Washington state or local taxing authority may be required before any assets or debts are paid or delivered to a successor of a decedent as required under this section.

     (5) A copy of the affidavit, including the decedent's social security number, shall be mailed to the state of Washington, department of social and health services, office of financial recovery.

[2008 c 6 § 923; 2006 c 360 § 16; 1995 1st sp.s. c 18 § 60; 1993 c 291 § 1. Prior: 1988 c 64 § 25; 1988 c 29 § 2; 1987 c 157 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 234 § 11; 1974 ex.s. c 117 § 4.]

NOTES:

     Part headings not law -- Severability -- 2008 c 6: See RCW 26.60.900 and 26.60.901.

     Clarification of laws -- Enforceability of act -- Severability -- 2006 c 360: See notes following RCW 11.108.070.

     Conflict with federal requirements -- Severability -- Effective date -- 1995 1st sp.s. c 18: See notes following RCW 74.39A.030.

     Captions -- Severability -- 1988 c 64: See RCW 83.100.904 and 83.100.905.

     Application, effective date -- Severability -- 1977 ex.s. c 234:See notes following RCW 11.20.020.

     Application, construction -- Severability -- Effective date -- 1974 ex.s. c 117: See RCW 11.02.080 and notes following.