Limitation on action contesting validity of revocable trust — Distribution of trust property.
RCW 11.103.050
in effect(1) A person may commence a judicial proceeding to contest the validity of a trust that was revocable at the trustor's death within the earlier of: (a) Twenty-four months after the trustor's death; or (b) Four months after the trustee sent to the person by personal service, mail, or in an electronic transmission if there is a consent of the recipient to electronic transmission then in effect under the terms of RCW 11.96A.110 , a notice including: (i) The name and date of the trust; (ii) The identity of the trustor or trustors; (iii) The trustee's name, address, and telephone number; and (iv) Notice of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding. (2) Upon the death of the trustor of a trust that was revocable at the trustor's death, the trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust, unless: (a) The trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust; or (b) A potential contestant has notified the trustee of a possible judicial proceeding to contest the trust and a judicial proceeding is commenced within sixty days after the contestant sent the notification. (3) A beneficiary of a trust that is determined to have been invalid is liable to return any distribution received.
(1) A person may commence a judicial proceeding to contest the validity of a trust that was revocable at the trustor's death within the earlier of:
(a) Twenty-four months after the trustor's death; or
(b) Four months after the trustee sent to the person by personal service, mail, or in an electronic transmission if there is a consent of the recipient to electronic transmission then in effect under the terms of RCW 11.96A.110 , a notice including:
(i) The name and date of the trust;
(ii) The identity of the trustor or trustors;
(iii) The trustee's name, address, and telephone number; and
(iv) Notice of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding.
(2) Upon the death of the trustor of a trust that was revocable at the trustor's death, the trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust, unless:
(a) The trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust; or
(b) A potential contestant has notified the trustee of a possible judicial proceeding to contest the trust and a judicial proceeding is commenced within sixty days after the contestant sent the notification.
(3) A beneficiary of a trust that is determined to have been invalid is liable to return any distribution received.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.103&full=trueFetched: 6/28/2026