Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Washington

My husband and I set up a trust in Westport, WA and filed a copy of that document in our safety deposit box at a bank that is no longer open. My husband passed away in March and his death benefit, through a previous employer is payable to that trust (my name is included on the trust) When speaking with the benefits people, they state I must provide a copy of that trust in order to receive the death benefit. I do not have the document and do not remember who created it. I only know that it was filed in 1993, in the state of WA. How can I locate this trust document? I now live in New Mexico.


Asked on 5/23/11, 4:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Cruikshank Cruikshank Law Office-Since 1975

Usually, death benefits require that the beneficiary designation be filed with the insurance or other provider of the benefit. The trust document will not help with that. You may have to open a small estate proceeding in Washington state to collect the death benefit and pass it on to yourself. I will need to review all documents from the insurance or other provider of the death benefit to determine the most efficient way to collect the benefit for you.

Read more
Answered on 5/24/11, 9:23 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Probate, Trusts, Wills & Estates questions and answers in Washington