How Much Does Probate Cost in District of Columbia, District of Columbia?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in District of Columbia can expect.
What probate costs in District of Columbia, District of Columbia comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through 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 are handled through Large Estates (ADM), Small Estates (SEB), and Guardianship/Conservatorship (INT/IDD). Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Local procedures at this court: 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; Court costs governed by Probate Rules 125 and 425. Large estate filing fee is $25.00 if decedent owned DC real estate, plus additional fee based on value of personal property. $25 fee for filing Objection (Exception) to Account or Inventory in intervention proceedings. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
District of Columbia runs a probate self-help center (Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM), which is the single biggest cost-saver for families who can self-file. Staff can walk you through the paperwork and explain procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on your specific case. Call 202-508-1681.
District of Columbia charges $0 - $2,300+ (based on estate value)SCR-PD Rule 425Verified Jun 10, 2026 to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the DC Superior Court - Probate Division (https://efiledcsuperiorcourt.gov/). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in District of Columbia are negotiated, typically 2%D.C. Code § 20-753 (reasonableness review of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 10, 2026 to 4%D.C. Code § 20-753 (reasonableness review of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 10, 2026 of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation runs 2%D.C. Code § 20-751 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 10, 2026 to 4%D.C. Code § 20-751 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 10, 2026 of estate value, based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
District of Columbia requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%D.C. Code § 20-502Verified Jun 10, 2026 of estate value annually.
Probate in District of Columbia typically runs 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, and costs accrue throughout. The 6 monthsD.C. Code § 20-903Verified Jun 10, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- D.C. Code § 20-502
- D.C. Code § 20-751 (PR fees), § 20-753 (attorney fees) (verified from code.dccouncil.gov)
- D.C. Code § 20-751 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- D.C. Code § 20-753 (reasonableness review of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage)
- D.C. Code § 20-903
- SCR-PD Rule 425
Data sourced from District of Columbia statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For District of Columbia, that means filing fees (about $575 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs about $575 in District of Columbia. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
District of Columbia uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.
District of Columbia allows "reasonable" executor compensation, typically 1–5% of estate value depending on complexity. Family executors often waive fees because the fee is taxable income while an inheritance is not.
Yes. District of Columbia estates under $40,000 can use a Transfer by Affidavit and avoid most probate costs. Check the District of Columbia self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of District of Columbia probate.
District of Columbia Payment Requirements
This county has specific payment deadlines and requirements. Missing these can delay your filing.
Payment & Fees
Court costs governed by Probate Rules 125 and 425. Large estate filing fee is $25.00 if decedent owned DC real estate, plus additional fee based on value of personal property. $25 fee for filing Objection (Exception) to Account or Inventory in intervention proceedings.
Guardianship Fund hourly rates (effective October 1, 2023): Attorneys/guardians $110/hour, Non-lawyer pilot program guardians $80/hour, Medical doctors (examiners) $120/hour.
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
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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