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Like all U.S. jurisdictions, the District of Columbia recognizes formally executed wills and living trusts as valid estate planning tools. A standard will here requires 2 adult witnesses. One notable limitation: District of Columbia doesn't recognize self-proving wills. Your witnesses may need to appear in court after your death to confirm they watched you sign, so keep their contact information on file.

The District adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act in 2023, modernizing its rules around financial powers of attorney. If you have older documents, it may be worth reviewing them to ensure they take advantage of the current law's protections.

If you die without a will in District of Columbia, your heirs must survive you by at least 5 days to inherit anything. This "survival period" exists to prevent property from passing through multiple estates in quick succession when family members die close together in time, such as in an accident. The amount a surviving spouse inherits without a will depends on whether your parents are still alive. If they are, your spouse may have to share the estate with them—a result that surprises many people and underscores why having a will matters.

Smaller estates under $80,000 can use a simplified transfer process that avoids full probate proceedings. Unlike states with formal independent administration statutes (such as California and Texas), the District of Columbia doesn't offer a simplified procedure for executors to petition for reduced court oversight. However, executors typically have statutory authority to manage routine estate matters. For families looking to avoid probate court involvement entirely, a revocable living trust remains the most reliable option.