RCW 11.96A.260
Findings—Intent.
The legislature finds that it is in the interest of the citizens of the state of Washington to encourage the prompt and early resolution of disputes in trust, estate, and nonprobate matters. The legislature endorses the use of dispute resolution procedures by means other than litigation. The legislature also finds that the former chapter providing for the nonjudicial resolution of trust, estate, and nonprobate disputes, *chapter 11.96 RCW, has resulted in the successful resolution of thousands of disputes since 1984. The nonjudicial procedure has resulted in substantial savings of public funds by removing those disputes from the court system. Enhancement of the statutory framework supporting the nonjudicial process in *chapter 11.96 RCW would be beneficial and would foster even greater use of nonjudicial dispute methods to resolve trust, estate, and nonprobate disputes. The legislature further finds that it would be beneficial to allow parties to disputes involving trusts, estates, and nonprobate assets to have access to a process for required mediation followed by arbitration using mediators and arbitrators experienced in trust, estate, and nonprobate matters. Finally, the legislature also believes it would be beneficial to parties with disputes in trusts, estates, and nonprobate matters to clarify and streamline the statutory framework governing the procedures governing these cases in the court system.
Therefore, the legislature adopts RCW 11.96A.270 through 11.96A.320, that enhance *chapter 11.96 RCW and allow required mediation and arbitration in disputes involving trusts, estates, and nonprobate matters that are brought to the courts. RCW 11.96A.270 through 11.96A.320 also set forth specific civil procedures for handling trust and estate disputes in the court system. It is intended that the adoption of RCW 11.96A.270 through 11.96A.320 will encourage and direct all parties in trust, estate, and nonprobate matter disputes, and the court system, to provide for expeditious, complete, and final decisions to be made in disputed trust, estate, and nonprobate matters.
[ 1999 c 42 § 501.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: Chapter 11.96 RCW was repealed by 1999 c 42 § 637, effective January 1, 2000.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 11 - Probate and Trust Law
Chapter 11.96A - Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution.
11.96A.020 - General power of courts—Intent—Plenary power of the court.
11.96A.040 - Original jurisdiction in probate and trust matters—Powers of court.
11.96A.050 - Venue in proceedings involving probate or trust matters.
11.96A.060 - Exercise of powers—Orders, writs, process, etc.
11.96A.070 - Statutes of limitation.
11.96A.080 - Persons entitled to judicial proceedings for declaration of rights or legal relations.
11.96A.090 - Judicial proceedings.
11.96A.100 - Procedural rules.
11.96A.110 - Notice in judicial proceedings under this title requiring notice.
11.96A.120 - Application of doctrine of virtual representation.
11.96A.125 - Mistake of fact or law in terms of will or trust—Judicial and nonjudicial reform.
11.96A.127 - Charitable dispositions by will or trust.
11.96A.130 - Other notice requirements not impaired.
11.96A.140 - Waiver of notice.
11.96A.150 - Costs—Attorneys' fees.
11.96A.160 - Appointment of guardian ad litem.
11.96A.180 - Execution on judgments.
11.96A.190 - Execution upon trust income or vested remainder—Permitted, when.
11.96A.200 - Appellate review.
11.96A.220 - Binding agreement.
11.96A.230 - Entry of agreement with court—Effect.
11.96A.240 - Judicial approval of agreement.
11.96A.250 - Special representative.
11.96A.270 - Intent—Parties can agree otherwise.
11.96A.290 - Superior court—Venue.
11.96A.300 - Mediation procedure.
11.96A.310 - Arbitration procedure.