Free District of Columbia Last Will and Testament

In District of Columbia, a will is signed before 2 witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavit.

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This information identifies you as the person making this will. It also determines your state's specific execution requirements.

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Date of Birth(MM/DD/YYYY)*

Email Address*

Phone Number*

Street Address*

City*

State*

ZIP Code*

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District of Columbia requires 2 witnesses present when the testator signs. A gift to a witness who is also a beneficiary can be voided or reduced in District of Columbia, so the usual practice is disinterested witnesses.

No. District of Columbia does not require notarization for a will to be valid. District of Columbia has no execution-time self-proving affidavit; a witness affidavit at probate can substitute for live testimony, so no notary is involved when the will is signed.

No. District of Columbia does not recognize holographic (handwritten) wills. A will must be typed or printed and signed with the formalities District of Columbia requires; a District of Columbia probate court will not accept an unwitnessed handwritten document.

A will directs who inherits, but the estate still passes through District of Columbia probate, where the court validates the will and oversees the distribution. A simple estate typically takes 6 months to 12 months, with attorney fees of typically 2% to 3.1% of the estate. In District of Columbia, estates with personal property of $40,000 or less skip probate with the Transfer by Affidavit, 60 days after death. Assets held in a revocable living trust pass outside probate.

Yes. A will can be executed entirely remotely in District of Columbia: the signing happens in a live video session with an online notary, with 2 witnesses in the same video session.

Why Create a Will in District of Columbia?

Without a will, District of Columbia intestacy laws decide who inherits your property. This often means assets go to relatives you may not have chosen, while close friends, partners, or charities receive nothing. Who inherits under District of Columbia intestacy law shows how the state would divide your estate.

A will specifies who inherits, can name guardians for children, and appoints an executor to manage the process.

In District of Columbia, your will needs 2 witnesses to be valid; notarization is not required for validity. The document carries a self-proving affidavit — a notarized statement that lets the will be admitted without the witnesses appearing in court.

District of Columbia offers simplified probate for estates under $40,000. A will still names guardians and appoints an executor, and directs who inherits what the simplified procedure collects.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated October 18, 2026

Legal Sources

Data sourced from District of Columbia statutes and official state code. How we research.

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New Baby or Adoption

Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.

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Marriage

What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.

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Divorce

What divorce does and does not undo: beneficiary designations, your will, powers of attorney, and the one account your ex stays on until you change it.

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New Home

How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.

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Forms for Planning Your Estate in District of Columbia

Free forms for planning your estate in District of Columbia: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.

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Healthcare Power of Attorney

District of Columbia requires 2 witnesses for a healthcare power of attorney; notarization is not required.

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Financial Power of Attorney

District of Columbia treats a power of attorney as durable by default, and it is signed before a notary.

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Transfer on Death Deed

In District of Columbia, a transfer on death deed is signed before a notary, then recorded with the county before the owner's death.

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Vehicle Transfer on Death

Name a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle at death without probate. Available in 26 states and the District of Columbia.

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Living Will

In District of Columbia, the living will is the Declaration, a document of its own, apart from the healthcare power of attorney.

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All District of Columbia forms

Tools for Planning Your Estate in District of Columbia

Free tools for planning your estate in District of Columbia: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.

How Much Does a Will Cost?

An attorney-prepared will in District of Columbia runs $1,041 to $2,082, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $26,493.

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How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children?

In District of Columbia, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writing, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18.

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Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?

In District of Columbia, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 2% to 3.1% of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.

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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable trust in District of Columbia runs $3,820 to $5,730 and a simple will $1,041 to $2,082, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

In District of Columbia, four years at a public university cost about $24,608 and the cost of living is 10% above the U.S. average; the state levies an estate tax above $4,988,400.

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Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?

District of Columbia does not revoke an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorce; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.

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How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.

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Will My Estate Documents Transfer?

Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.

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All District of Columbia tools

District of Columbia Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering District of Columbia probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

Free District of Columbia Last Will and Testament

In District of Columbia, a will is signed before 2 witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavit.

Progress0%

Why Create a Will in District of Columbia?

A will specifies who inherits, can name guardians for children, and appoints an executor to manage the process.

District of Columbia offers simplified probate for estates under $40,000. A will still names guardians and appoints an executor, and directs who inherits what the simplified procedure collects.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated October 18, 2026

Legal Sources

Data sourced from District of Columbia statutes and official state code. How we research.

Free District of Columbia Last Will and Testament

Your Information

Is this your situation?

New Baby or Adoption

Marriage

Divorce

New Home

Forms for Planning Your Estate in District of Columbia

Healthcare Power of Attorney

Financial Power of Attorney

Transfer on Death Deed

Vehicle Transfer on Death

Living Will

Tools for Planning Your Estate in District of Columbia

How Much Does a Will Cost?

How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children?

Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?

What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?

How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

Will My Estate Documents Transfer?

You'll be back. Every time life changes.

District of Columbia Estate Planning Resources

Free District of Columbia Last Will and Testament

Your Information