Wills, trusts, estates and fiduciary firm on 50th Street NW in upper Northwest Washington, serving clients in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland, with a second office in McLean, VA. Advises executors, trustees, guardians, and conservators on administration and represents beneficiaries, and litigates will and trust contests, undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty, and heir determination proceedings. Will also serve as the personal representative, trustee, or guardian ad litem, and meets clients virtually or by appointment.
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in District of Columbia
Free District of Columbia forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form.
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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Last Will and Testament
In the District of Columbia, a will is signed before 2D.C. Code § 18-103Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavitD.C. Code § 18-103Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in District of Columbia
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in the District of Columbia: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in the District of Columbia costs an estimated $26,493D.C. Code § 20-753 (reasonableness review of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2%Modeled estimate under D.C. Code § 20-753 (reasonableness review of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.1%Modeled estimate under D.C. Code § 20-753 (reasonableness review of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in the District of Columbia, a surviving spouse takes two-thirds of the estateD.C. Code § 19-302Verified Oct 21, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesD.C. Code § 19-307Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In the District of Columbia, creditors have 6 monthsD.C. Code § 20-903Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in the District of Columbia: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysD.C. Code §§ 20-711 to 20-713.01Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsD.C. Code §§ 20-704, 20-903, 20-905, 20-906, 20-908Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 12 months.
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How Much Can an Executor Charge?
District of Columbia pays executors reasonable compensationD.C. Code § 20-751 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
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