Law and Justice Committee advances bill to regulate probate air finder' agreements
February 24, 2026 | Legislative Sessions, Washington
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The Law and Justice Committee on Feb. 24 adopted a striking amendment to Engrossed House Bill 2445 that tightens rules for third-party "air finder" agreements in probate cases and sent the amended bill to the Rules Committee with a due-pass recommendation.
Tim Ford, staff to the committee, summarized the core change: the amendment defines a person providing "air finder" services as distinct from a transferee for value, makes fee collection contingent on the beneficiary first receiving a distribution, and requires the air finder agreement to be in writing, signed and filed with the court within a set period after execution or the start of probate proceedings. Ford told the committee the amendment also "subjects the air finder agreement to court oversight," allowing judges to deny or limit distributions based on specific findings.
The chair defended the amendment's intent during final debate, saying the goal was to "have guardrails to make sure that they are acting in a way that is consistent" with legitimate service, and that she did not view these actors as inherently predatory. Senator Holy said the amendment "does move it a step in the right direction" but urged further refinements on the floor.
After the striking amendment was adopted by voice vote, the vice chair moved that the bill as amended receive a due-pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee. The motion carried by voice vote; committee staff recorded the bill as sent to Rules subject to signatures.
What happens next: The bill will be considered on the floor, where sponsors and opponents may offer additional amendments. Committee members signaled intent to continue negotiations on specific definitions and filing timelines as the bill advances.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 008; topfinish SEG 422
Speakers (attributions used in this article): Chair (first speaking SEG 001), Tim Ford (staff counsel, first speaking SEG 009), Vice Chair (first explicit motion at SEG 351), Senator Holy (first referenced speaking in debate SEG 370).
Tim Ford, staff to the committee, summarized the core change: the amendment defines a person providing "air finder" services as distinct from a transferee for value, makes fee collection contingent on the beneficiary first receiving a distribution, and requires the air finder agreement to be in writing, signed and filed with the court within a set period after execution or the start of probate proceedings. Ford told the committee the amendment also "subjects the air finder agreement to court oversight," allowing judges to deny or limit distributions based on specific findings.
The chair defended the amendment's intent during final debate, saying the goal was to "have guardrails to make sure that they are acting in a way that is consistent" with legitimate service, and that she did not view these actors as inherently predatory. Senator Holy said the amendment "does move it a step in the right direction" but urged further refinements on the floor.
After the striking amendment was adopted by voice vote, the vice chair moved that the bill as amended receive a due-pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee. The motion carried by voice vote; committee staff recorded the bill as sent to Rules subject to signatures.
What happens next: The bill will be considered on the floor, where sponsors and opponents may offer additional amendments. Committee members signaled intent to continue negotiations on specific definitions and filing timelines as the bill advances.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 008; topfinish SEG 422
Speakers (attributions used in this article): Chair (first speaking SEG 001), Tim Ford (staff counsel, first speaking SEG 009), Vice Chair (first explicit motion at SEG 351), Senator Holy (first referenced speaking in debate SEG 370).
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