How Does Probate Work in District of Columbia, District of Columbia?
When someone dies, the last thing you need is confusion about legal requirements. Probate in District of Columbia depends on estate size—estates under $40,000 may qualify for a simplified procedure. The DC Superior Court - Probate Division has a self-help center for families filing without an attorney.
The Probate Process in District of Columbia
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In District of Columbia, probate runs through the DC Superior Court - Probate Division at 515 Fifth Street NW, Court Building A, Room 314, Washington. The court sits in the DC Superior Court.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under District of Columbia intestacy law when there is no will.
Most District of Columbia estates take 12 monthsD.C. Code § 20-751 (PR fees), § 20-753 (attorney fees) (verified from code.dccouncil.gov)Verified Jun 10, 2026 to 18 monthsD.C. Code § 20-751 (PR fees), § 20-753 (attorney fees) (verified from code.dccouncil.gov)Verified Jun 10, 2026 to move through this process. The 6 monthsD.C. Code § 20-903Verified Jun 10, 2026 creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
Filing at the DC Superior Court - Probate Division
Probate cases in District of Columbia are filed with the DC Superior Court - Probate Division, located at 515 Fifth Street NW, Court Building A, Room 314, Washington, DC 20001. The clerk's office is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Reach the clerk at 202-879-9460.
The court offers a self-help center, open Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, in Room 318, Court Building A, 515 Fifth Street NW. Staff can review paperwork for completeness and explain procedures, though they cannot provide legal advice. Call 202-508-1681 for details.
Attorneys must e-file in District of Columbia, but families handling probate without an attorney are exempt and can file on paper at the clerk's office or by mail.
Wills must be filed within 90 days after death with a Certificate of Filing Will. Wills are filed at the Probate Clerk Office, Room 314, Court Building A. There is no cost to file a will. The Probate Division does not accept wills for safekeeping before death. Paper filings are submitted at the Duty Auditor station in Room 313, Court Building A. Accounts may also be filed by mail. Duty Auditor phone: 202-879-9447.
The court operates across 3 locations in District of Columbia. Probate filings may need to go to a specific location—check with the clerk's office before your visit.
First Steps After a Death in District of Columbia
Handling an estate in District of Columbia, District of Columbia means working through both immediate tasks (securing property, ordering death certificates, stopping benefits) and the formal probate process at the DC Superior Court - Probate Division at 515 Fifth Street NW, Court Building A, Room 314, Washington. The court is part of the DC Superior Court.
Probate matters here are routed through Large Estates (ADM), Small Estates (SEB), and Guardianship/Conservatorship (INT/IDD). Knowing which office handles what saves time during the first few weeks.
District of Columbia runs a probate self-help center (Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM) where staff can review your paperwork and explain procedures, though they can't give legal advice on a specific case. Room 318, Court Building A, 515 Fifth Street NW. Call 202-508-1681.
District of Columbia has local procedures worth knowing before you start: Wills must be filed within 90 days after death with a Certificate of Filing Will. Wills are filed at the Probate Clerk Office, Room 314, Court Building A. There is no cost to file a will. The Probate Division does not accept wills for safekeeping before death; Paper filings are submitted at the Duty Auditor station in Room 313, Court Building A. Accounts may also be filed by mail. Duty Auditor phone: 202-879-9447; A waiver signed by one acting in a fiduciary capacity must be accompanied by a certified copy of a Court appointment (if any) or a certified statement.
Do I Need Probate?
Whether probate is necessary in District of Columbia depends on how the deceased's assets were titled and what estate planning was in place. The local court is the DC Superior Court - Probate Division at 515 Fifth Street NW, Court Building A, Room 314, Washington. The court sits in the DC Superior Court.
District of Columbia has local procedures that affect when and how to file: Wills must be filed within 90 days after death with a Certificate of Filing Will. Wills are filed at the Probate Clerk Office, Room 314, Court Building A. There is no cost to file a will. The Probate Division does not accept wills for safekeeping before death; Paper filings are submitted at the Duty Auditor station in Room 313, Court Building A. Accounts may also be filed by mail. Duty Auditor phone: 202-879-9447.
Assets in a funded revocable living trust pass directly to beneficiaries without probate. Life insurance, retirement accounts with named beneficiaries, and jointly-held property with survivorship rights also transfer automatically. Only assets titled solely in the deceased's name — or caught by a pour-over will for unfunded trust assets — go through the DC Superior Court - Probate Division.
District of Columbia has a low threshold for simplified procedures — only estates under $40,000§ 20-351Verified Jun 10, 2026 qualify. Most estates in District of Columbia with real property will require full probate through the DC Superior Court - Probate Division.
See what portion of this estate may require probate:
Opening probate at the DC Superior Court - Probate Division requires the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, and documentation of assets — deeds, account statements, vehicle titles. Asset titling is what separates probate property from everything that passes automatically.
District of Columbia allows independent administration, which gives the executor authority to manage estate assets, pay debts, and distribute property without returning to the court for approval on each step.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Who inherits depends on whether there's a valid will. Without one, District of Columbia intestacy laws determine the distribution—and the results sometimes differ from what families expect.
See how this estate would be distributed:
Surviving spouses in District of Columbia can elect to take 50%D.C. Code § 19-113Verified Jun 10, 2026 of the estate regardless of the will. This election must be filed at the DC Superior Court - Probate Division within 180 daysD.C. Code § 19-113Verified Jun 10, 2026 of receiving probate notice.
The DC Superior Court - Probate Division can approve a family allowance of up to $30,000D.C. Code § 19-101.04Verified Jun 10, 2026 for the surviving spouse and minor children during probate. This is paid before creditors.
Creditors must be notified through newspaper publication in District of Columbia for 2D.C. Code §§ 20-704, 20-903, 20-905, 20-906, 20-908Verified Jun 10, 2026 consecutive weeks, and known creditors receive direct written notice. The claim deadline is 6 monthsD.C. Code §§ 20-704, 20-903, 20-905, 20-906, 20-908Verified Jun 10, 2026 from first publication.
District of Columbia has adopted digital asset access laws, allowing executors to manage the deceased's email, social media, and online accounts as part of estate administration.
Legal Sources
- § 20-351
- D.C. Code § 19-101.04
- D.C. Code § 19-113
- D.C. Code § 20-751 (PR fees), § 20-753 (attorney fees) (verified from code.dccouncil.gov)
- D.C. Code § 20-903
- D.C. Code §§ 20-704, 20-903, 20-905, 20-906, 20-908
Data sourced from District of Columbia statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
The DC Superior Court - Probate Division for District of Columbia is located in Washington, District of Columbia. Full address, phone, hours, and e-filing details are listed on this page.
A simple probate in District of Columbia typically closes in 6–12 months. Average estates run 12–18 months. Complex estates with disputes or tax issues can take 18–36 months. Timing in District of Columbia tracks the state range unless the docket is unusually backed up.
No. District of Columbia allows estates under $40,000 to use a Transfer by Affidavit and skip formal probate. The waiting period is 60 days after death. Use the District of Columbia probate decision tool to see if the estate qualifies.
When there is no will, District of Columbia's intestate succession rules decide who inherits. Spouses, children, and parents are prioritized in that order. The District of Columbia probate court applies the state rules without variation. See who inherits in District of Columbia for the exact order.
A revocable living trust is the cleanest way for most families to skip probate entirely. Assets titled to the trust pass to beneficiaries without court involvement, filing fees, or the District of Columbia probate docket. Create a revocable trust online to avoid putting your family through this process later.
DC Superior Court - Probate Division
District of Columbia
515 Fifth Street NW, Court Building A, Room 314
Washington, DC 20001
Phone:
202-879-9460Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
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