IN 2014 the Washington State legislature adopted RCW 64.80 which authorizes the use of Transfer on Death Deeds for the real property in Washington. The purpose of these instruments is to streamline the administration of estates by avoiding probate, if possible. For the majority of people, the single greatest asset that they will own is there residence, and in many estates it is the single asset that triggers the need for a probate to administrate the property. With a Transfer on Death Deed, the estate property can be transferred to the designated beneficiary by recording the death certificate of the decedent grantor as well as an Excise Tax Affidavit. No excise tax should be due on inherited property, but the affidavit must be filed to prove this.