The vast majority of surviving spouses have to hire a lawyer and go through a formal probate in the State of Washington. An additional form is required to make changes to officers, members, and managers with the Office of the Secretary of State.This procedure allows someone legally entitled to inherit a decedent's personal property to get that property without going through probate. This article provides some easytounderstand information about the probate process in Washington State, and the obligations of a surviving spouse. In this detailed guide of Washington inheritance laws, we break down intestate succession, probate, taxes, what makes a will valid and more. The surviving spouse typically has to file a probate and obtain authority from the Court to transfer title to the rightful heirs. Like several other rules listed above, this principle makes more sense in context. The Year's Allowance. It is important to realize that changes may occur in this area of law. Washington law does NOT require a probate proceeding to be filed following death, regardless of whether the Decedent died with or without a Will.