Free District of Columbia Notice to Creditors

In District of Columbia, the notice to creditors is published for 2 weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 6 months from first publication to present claims.

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The District of Columbia notice identifies the appointed representative and the address where claims are presented.

State Where the Estate Is Being Administered*

The state where the estate proceeding is filed. Only states where the personal representative prepares the creditor notice are listed.

Your Appointed Title*

As stated in your Letters or appointment order.

Your Full Legal Name*

Street Address*

The address where creditors present claims. It is printed in the notice.

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Yes. District of Columbia publishes Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs (124.10.v4). The personal representative completes and files it; the court or clerk arranges its publication, and the same notice goes to each known creditor.

The creditor claim period of 6 months runs from the first publication of the creditor notice, which follows the executor's appointment. A claim not presented in time is barred.

Claims are presented to both the personal representative and the court. The address in the notice is the one claims go to, so it is the representative's own, or the court's, as the statute directs.

Yes. District of Columbia requires written notice to every known or reasonably ascertainable creditor within 20 days of appointment. A creditor who is mailed the notice must present the claim within 6 months after the date of the first publication of notice of the appointment of a personal representative. A mailed notice for each known creditor is part of the packet.

Once a week for 2 consecutive weeks, in the statute's terms: Published in a legal periodical or newspaper of general circulation in the District (or other publication the Court provides by Rule), once a week for 2 successive weeks per D.C. Code § 20-704(a); the Probate Division publishes in the two newspapers the personal representative designates. District of Columbia requires the publisher's affidavit of publication to be filed with the court; the newspaper provides it after the final run. The District of Columbia creditor claims tool sets the publication beside the claim deadline and the payment order.

Creditor Notice in District of Columbia

District of Columbia has an official creditor-notice form, Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs (124.10.v4). The personal representative completes it and files it; the court or clerk arranges its publication, and the same notice goes to each known creditor. Publication of that notice is what starts the claim period.

Claims against the estate are presented within 6 months after the first publication of the notice. A claim not presented in time is barred.

Claims are presented to both the personal representative and the court; the address in the notice is the one claims go to. Known and reasonably ascertainable creditors also receive written notice, within 20 days of appointment. A creditor who is mailed the notice presents the claim within 6 months after the date of the first publication of notice of the appointment of a personal representative.

The notice runs once a week for 2 consecutive weeks; the newspaper, in the statute's terms: Published in a legal periodical or newspaper of general circulation in the District (or other publication the Court provides by Rule), once a week for 2 successive weeks per D.C. Code § 20-704(a); the Probate Division publishes in the two newspapers the personal representative designates. District of Columbia requires the publisher's affidavit of publication to be filed with the court; the newspaper supplies it after the final run.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated October 18, 2026

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

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Free tools for settling an estate in District of Columbia: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

District of Columbia pays executors reasonable compensation, typically 2.2% to 3.8% of the estate.

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In District of Columbia, informal probate is not available, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.

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In District of Columbia, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Probate Division appoints the personal representative and the Register of Wills issues Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the court.

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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

In District of Columbia, creditors have 6 months from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.

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What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

When an estate owes more than it holds, District of Columbia pays the claims in 9 classes in statutory order, beginning with court costs, publication costs, bond premiums.

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Free District of Columbia Notice to Creditors

In District of Columbia, the notice to creditors is published for 2 weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 6 months from first publication to present claims.

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Creditor Notice in District of Columbia

Claims against the estate are presented within 6 months after the first publication of the notice. A claim not presented in time is barred.

Free District of Columbia Notice to Creditors

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Is this your situation?

Named as Executor

Death of a Parent

Loss of a Spouse

Forms for Settling an Estate in District of Columbia

Petition for Probate and Letters

Renunciation of Executor

Small Estate Affidavit

Estate Inventory

Estate Closing

Letter of Instruction

Digital Assets Recovery Letter

Tools for Settling an Estate in District of Columbia

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Can I Self-File Probate?

How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?

What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?

What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?

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District of Columbia Estate Settlement Resources

Free District of Columbia Notice to Creditors

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