washington state probate and sales of real property probate is the legal process of settling a decedent’s estate and transferring any remaining assets to those entitled to receive them. to open probate, apply for probate and appointment of a personal representative to the judge of the court (11.20.020). under the current laws, a personal representative is not authorized to make a sale of any property from an estate without an order of the court (rcw 11.56.010).