Burien Probate & Estate Administration Guidance
When a loved one passes away, families in Burien are often required to go through the Washington probate process to settle the estate. Probate is the court-supervised procedure used to identify assets, pay debts, and distribute property to heirs and beneficiaries.
Whether the deceased person left a valid will or passed away without one, probate typically involves appointing a personal representative, gathering estate assets, notifying creditors, resolving claims, and preparing final distributions.
An experienced probate attorney can help ensure that estate administration is handled efficiently and in compliance with Washington law, reducing delays, disputes, and unnecessary stress for surviving family members.
In some cases, probate may be simplified through trust planning, beneficiary designations, or non-probate transfers. In other situations, formal probate proceedings are required to resolve complex estates, real estate transfers, or contested matters.
If you have been named as a personal representative, executor, or administrator, understanding your legal duties and potential liabilities is critical to protecting both the estate and yourself.
Learn About Probate Before Scheduling a Consultation
Our experimental legal guidance chatbot provides general educational information about Washington probate procedures, estate administration, creditor claims, will interpretation, and common questions faced by personal representatives and heirs.
This resource can help you understand the probate process and identify key issues to discuss when you meet with Ruth for personalized legal guidance.
Disclaimer: The chatbot provides general information only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Individual circumstances require personalized legal advice.
About Ruth
Ruth Apahidean is a trusts and estates attorney at the Law Office of Neil R. Sarles. Her practice focuses on elder law, estate planning, and probate. She helps individuals and families plan for the management and transfer of their assets during life and after death.
This includes creating wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. She assists clients decide how assets should be distributed, who will make financial or medical decisions if the client becomes incapacitated, and how to protect beneficiaries such as minor children or family members with special needs.
Ruth guides individuals and families through the probate process (the court-supervised procedure used to settle a person’s estate after death). Her primary role is to assist the personal representative ensure that the deceased person’s assets are distributed according to a valid will or, if no will exists, in accordance with state law.
She has volunteered at Neighborhood Legal Clinics: Elder Law Clinic, the Washington First Responder Will Clinic, and Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers. Ruth is the Bar Talk Columnist for the King County Bar Association Bar Bulletin and the New Lawyer Liaison for the Washington State Bar Association Senior Lawyers Section.
Learn more about Ruth at https://www.sarles.com/.
Education:
- J.D., University of Washington School of Law
- B.A., History and English, University of Washington, magna cum laude
Bar Admissions:
- U.S. District Courts: Western District of Washington
- All Washington State Courts
Memberships:
- King County Bar Association
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or want to schedule a meeting, you can reach Ruth directly by email at ruth@sarles.com or using the form below.