Estate Planning for District of Columbia, District of Columbia Property Owners

For most District of Columbia homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a District of Columbia property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the DC Superior Court - Probate Division. The two tools that keep a District of Columbia home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the Recorder of Deeds, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Skipping this planning step means the DC Superior Court - Probate Division decides who receives the property: a simple District of Columbia probate takes 6+ months. District of Columbia also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in District of Columbia

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives District of Columbia property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the Recorder of Deeds during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, a District of Columbia transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentD.C. Code 19-604.01 to 19-604.19Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathD.C. Code 19-604.01 to 19-604.19Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Create a District of ColumbiaTOD deed →District of Columbiasigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for District of Columbia are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds at 1101 4th Street SW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20024. Phone: 202-727-5374. Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (deed recording); 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (all other services including copies, searches, and UCC filings).

The Recorder of Deeds charges $25 flat, regardless of page count. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $30 to record in District of Columbia, which is $25 in recording fees plus the $5 Document Surcharge. The office also requires a Real Property Recordation and Transfer Tax Form (ROD 1) with the deed, at no charge. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

District of Columbia accepts electronic recording through CSC/Ingeo, Simplifile, ePN.

Recording Office Record

Recorder of Deeds

District of Columbia · Recorder of Deeds

Address

1101 4th Street SW, Suite 500Washington, DC 20024

Fax

202-727-9629

Hours

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (deed recording); 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (all other services including copies, searches, and UCC filings)

E-recording

Available via CSC/Ingeo, Simplifile, ePNE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$25
Document SurchargeApplies to a TOD deed$5
Late Filing Penalty$250
Deed of Trust / Mortgage Recording Fee$150 (replaces the $30 base fee for deeds of trust, mortgages, modifications, amendments, or amended and restated deeds of trust)
UCC Filing Fee$25
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

DC Code 42-1218 (ROD fee schedule); DC Code 42-1211(a) ($5 surcharge)

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Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving District of Columbia

FirmWashington, DC

Curtin Law Roberson Dunigan & Salans, P.C.

Long-established Dupont-area firm on Massachusetts Avenue NW (with a New York office) serving DC-metro families and privately held business owners for over 40 years. Trust-and-estate attorneys plan to minimize tax and avoid probate, administer estates and trusts, and handle estate litigation. Also practices business, real estate, and employee-benefits law.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planning

Office
1800 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 300Washington, DC 20036

FirmWashington, DC

Griffin & Griffin LLP

Boutique firm on 19th Street NW in downtown Washington (with an Annapolis, MD office) concentrating in real estate, probate, and estate planning for DC and Maryland clients. Attorney Erica Gloger handles wills, trusts, advance directives, and contested estates, alongside the firm's condominium and real estate work. Offers a free initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
1320 19th Street NW, Suite 800Washington, DC 20036
Free consultation

FirmWashington, DC

Kass Legal Group, PLLC

Since 2017

Specializes in estate planning objectives along with business and commercial legal matters, serving the greater Washington, D.C. metro area.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate

Office
4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 434Washington, DC 20008

Solo PracticeWashington, DC

Law Office of Deborah D. Boddie, PLLC

Solo practice in the Mount Vernon Square Historic District on 9th Street NW, with over 30 years of experience in DC estate matters. Handles probate, deed transfers after a death, guardianship and court intervention for incapacitated adults, and wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Also takes elder-law and real-estate matters that arise alongside an estate.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
1308 9th Street NWWashington, DC 20001

Solo PracticeWashington, DC

Lucey Law, PLLC

Wills, trusts, estates and fiduciary firm on 50th Street NW in upper Northwest Washington, serving DC, Virginia, and Maryland. Handles estate and trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, and litigation over wills and trusts — will contests, undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty. Will also serve as the appointed personal representative, trustee, or guardian ad litem.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateFiduciary ServicesIncapacity Management

Office
4301 50th Street NW, Suite 300Washington, DC 20016

Solo PracticeWashington, DC

Garner Law PLLC

Solo downtown DC firm on K Street at the Farragut North Metro station, led by Keisha A. Garner and serving DC plus Prince George's, Montgomery, Charles, Anne Arundel, Howard, and Calvert counties in Maryland. Drafts wills, living wills, healthcare and durable powers of attorney, and revocable and irrevocable trusts, and handles probate. Also practices family law and adoption.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbatePowers Of AttorneyTrustsWills

Office
1717 K Street NW, Suite 900Washington, DC 20006
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Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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Legal Sources

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

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