Richland Probate Court Records
Probate court records for Richland are filed and maintained at Benton County Superior Court in Kennewick, which has jurisdiction over all estate administration, wills, and guardianship cases for Richland residents under RCW Title 11.
Richland Overview
Where Richland Probate Cases Are Filed
Benton County Superior Court handles all probate and estate matters for Richland residents. Richland is in Benton County, part of the Tri-Cities area along with Kennewick and Pasco. The Benton County Courthouse is in Kennewick at 7122 W Okanogan Place, about 6 miles southwest of downtown Richland. There is no probate court in Richland.
Note that Pasco, across the Columbia River, is in Franklin County, not Benton County. Richland and Kennewick are both in Benton County. All estate and guardianship filings for Richland residents go to Benton County Superior Court at (509) 735-8388 in Kennewick.
| Office | Benton County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 7122 W Okanogan Place Kennewick, WA 99336 |
| Phone | (509) 735-8388 |
| Online Search | Odyssey Portal |
Richland is known for its connection to the Hanford Site, and the area has a significant scientific and technical workforce. Estates here sometimes involve federal government employee pension and benefit plans, which typically pass outside of probate through beneficiary designations. Standard residential and financial assets still follow the normal Washington probate process.
How to Search Richland Probate Records
Benton County probate records can be searched online through the statewide Odyssey Portal. Enter the decedent's name or case number to find probate filings in Benton County Superior Court. The portal shows case type, party names, case status, and docket entries. The search is free.
For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 7122 W Okanogan Place in Kennewick during business hours. Bring the decedent's full name and approximate year of filing. Staff can search by name or case number. Viewing records in person is free.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical Benton County court records. Use the Detailed Search feature and select Superior Court Cases. For older materials, the Eastern Regional Branch of the Washington State Archives in Cheney serves Benton County.
Richland Probate Filing Fees
The probate filing fee in Benton County is approximately $290 for a standard estate case per RCW 36.18.020. Contact the clerk at (509) 735-8388 to confirm the current fee before filing. Copy fees follow the standard Washington State schedule. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Non-certified copies are $0.50 per page. Letters testamentary and letters of administration each cost $5.
What Richland Probate Records Contain
Probate case files document estate administration from the opening petition through final distribution. Standard documents include the original will if one exists, the probate petition, the personal representative's oath, notice to creditors, estate inventory and appraisement, creditor claims, court orders, and the final decree of distribution.
Richland estates may include residential real estate in Benton County, financial accounts, and business interests. Not every estate requires probate. Washington allows a Small Estate Affidavit for estates not exceeding $100,000 under RCW Chapter 11.62. These affidavits are not filed with Superior Court and do not appear in public records. Personal identifiers are redacted from public records under Washington Court Rule GR 31(e).
Probate Resources in Richland
Free official probate forms are at courts.wa.gov/forms. Online case search is at the Odyssey Portal. Historical records are at the Washington State Digital Archives. Full Washington probate law is at RCW Title 11.
Columbia Legal Services serves eastern Washington residents. Northwest Justice Project serves residents at (888) 201-1014. Washington State Bar Association directory is at wsba.org. Self-help guides are at washingtonlawhelp.org.
Benton County Probate Court Records
Richland is served by Benton County Superior Court in Kennewick for all probate matters. For more information on the court and records access, visit the Benton County probate records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Richland file probate cases through their respective county courts.