11.36.010 - Parties disqualified -- Result of disqualification after appointment. - Washington Statutes

Parties disqualified — Result of disqualification after appointment.

The following persons are not qualified to act as personal representatives: Corporations, minors, persons of unsound mind, or persons who have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude: PROVIDED, That trust companies regularly organized under the laws of this state and national banks when authorized so to do may act as the personal representative of decedents' or incompetents' estates upon petition of any person having a right to such appointment and may act as executors or guardians when so appointed by will: PROVIDED FURTHER, That professional service corporations regularly organized under the laws of this state whose shareholder or shareholders are exclusively attorneys may act as personal representatives. No trust company or national bank may qualify as such executor or guardian under any will hereafter drawn by it or its agents or employees, and no salaried attorney of any such company may be allowed any attorney fee for probating any such will or in relation to the administration or settlement of any such estate, and no part of any attorney fee may inure, directly or indirectly, to the benefit of any trust company or national bank. When any person to whom letters testamentary or of administration have been issued becomes disqualified to act because of becoming of unsound mind or being convicted of any crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, the court having jurisdiction shall revoke his or her letters. A nonresident may be appointed to act as personal representative if the nonresident appoints an agent who is a resident of the county where such estate is being probated or who is an attorney of record of the estate, upon whom service of all papers may be made; such appointment to be made in writing and filed by the clerk with other papers of such estate; and, unless bond has been waived as provided by RCW 11.28.185, such nonresident personal representative shall file a bond to be approved by the court.

[1983 c 51 § 1; 1983 c 3 § 14; 1965 c 145 § 11.36.010. Prior: 1959 c 43 § 1; 1917 c 156 § 87; RRS § 1457; prior: Code 1881 § 1409; 1863 p 227 § 164; 1860 p 189 § 131.]

Notes:Rules of court:  Counsel fees: SPR 98.12W.

Financial institutions may act as guardian: RCW 11.88.020.

Procedure during minority or absence of executor: RCW 11.28.040.

Trust company may act as personal representative: RCW 30.08.150.