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Named as Executor
What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.
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Death of a Parent
A step-by-step guide to what happens after a parent dies: the documents to find, the certificates to order, and whether probate is even required.
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Loss of a Spouse
What a surviving spouse needs to do: death certificates, survivor benefits, whether probate is even required, and the tax election that expires.
Learn moreForms for Settling an Estate in District of Columbia
Free forms for settling an estate in the District of Columbia: probate petition, small estate affidavit, creditor notice and closing forms. Prepare each form.
Petition for Probate and Letters
In the District of Columbia, the petition asks the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Probate Division to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the courtD.C. Code § 20-312(a)-(b) (permanent text: the Court appoints the PR and admits the will; Register of Wills is the Clerk of the Probate Division, not an appointing officer)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Notice to Creditors
In the District of Columbia, the notice to creditors is published for 2D.C. Code §§ 20-704, 20-903, 20-905, 20-906, 20-908Verified Oct 18, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 6 monthsD.C. Code § 20-903Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Small Estate Affidavit
In the District of Columbia, the Transfer by AffidavitD.C. Code § 20-351Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates with personal property of $40,000D.C. Code § 20-351Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 60 daysD.C. Code § 20-351Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
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.
Estate Closing
In the District of Columbia, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsD.C. Code § 20-1301; § 20-735(b)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
IRS Form 1310
Claim a refund due a deceased taxpayer on the official form, on the box the form routes you to, with what the form says to attach.
Tools for Settling an Estate in District of Columbia
Free tools for settling an estate in the District of Columbia: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool.
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.
Can I Self-File Probate?
In the District of Columbia, informal probate is not availableD.C. Code § 20-312(a)-(b) (permanent text: the Court appoints the PR and admits the will; Register of Wills is the Clerk of the Probate Division, not an appointing officer)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
How Do I Get Letters Testamentary?
In the District of Columbia, the Register of Wills issues Letters of Administration once the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Probate Division appoints the personal representative; every appointment goes through the courtD.C. Code § 20-312(a)-(b) (permanent text: the Court appoints the PR and admits the will; Register of Wills is the Clerk of the Probate Division, not an appointing officer)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, District of Columbia pays the claims in 9D.C. Code § 20-906Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with court costs, publication costs, bond premiums.
How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property?
In the District of Columbia, a deceased owner's unclaimed property is claimed from the DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Finance and Treasury, Unclaimed Property UnitD.C. Code Title 41, Chapter 1A (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act of 2021); D.C. Code 41-159.03, 41-159.04Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. If there is a court-appointed estate representative, that person can submit a claim for a deceased ownerClaim FAQ (unclaimedproperty.dc.gov)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
Hire a District of Columbia Probate Attorney
Browse 57 probate firms in District of Columbia with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
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District of Columbia Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering District of Columbia probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.