If the department furnishes funeral assistance for deceased recipients under *RCW 74.08.120, the department shall have a lien against those assets left to a surviving spouse or minor children under those conditions defined in *RCW 74.08.120. The lien is valid for six years from the date of filing with the county auditor and has preference over the claims of all unsecured creditors. If the assets remain exempt or if no probate is commenced, the lien automatically terminates without further action six years after filing.
RCW 43.20B.120
Funeral assistance—Lien against assets.
Applied in 1 court decision — leading case 131 Wash. 2d 104 - Estate of Burns (1997)
Most recently applied in 131 Wash. 2d 104 - Estate of Burns (January 1997)
1987 c 75 s 45.
Official source: Washington State Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Washington statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.