District of Columbia Probate Process (with Costs)
1. Locate and File the Will
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Deadline: The Will must be filed within 90 days of death.
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Cost: Filing the Will alone is free. Probate fees begin when the estate is opened.
2. Open the Estate
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File a Petition for Probate with the Probate Division.
Types of Administration:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Small Estate | Estate worth ≤ $40,000. |
| Unsupervised Administration (standard) | Called ADM case; used for most estates over $40K. |
| Supervised Administration | Used when court oversight is needed (disputes, minors, etc). |
You’ll need:
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Death certificate
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Original Will (if any)
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Petition and supporting forms
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Paid publication notice
Probate Fees (2024-2025):
| Filing Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Small Estate Petition | $15 |
| ADM Estate Petition | $25 |
| Initial filing fee | $25 – $50 (depending on forms) |
| Certified Letters of Administration | ~$1 per copy |
3. Appointment of Personal Representative
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The court will issue Letters of Administration once a personal representative (executor) is appointed.
Bond may be required unless waived in the Will or by all heirs.
Bond Cost: Varies based on estate size and credit — typically $200–$1,000+ annually.
4. Notify Creditors and Heirs
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Publish notice in a local newspaper for once a week for 3 consecutive weeks.
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Cost: ~$150–$300
Creditors have 6 months to file claims after notice is published.
5. Inventory and Appraisal
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File an Inventory within 3 months of appointment.
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Real estate, personal property, bank accounts, etc. must be listed.
Appraisal Fees:
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May be required for real estate or specialty assets.
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Typical range: $300–$800 per appraisal.
6. Pay Debts, Taxes, and Administrative Costs
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Estate pays:
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Valid creditor claims
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Funeral expenses
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Personal representative compensation
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Estate and income taxes (if applicable)
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DC Estate Taxes (2025):
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Estate tax exemption: $4.71 million
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Rates: 11.2% – 16% on amounts above exemption
Personal Representative Compensation (DC Law):
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Reasonable fee allowed.
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Often based on a percentage or court-approved hourly rate.
7. Accounting and Distribution
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Must file:
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Initial Accounting
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Final Accounting
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Assets are distributed once accounting is approved.
8. Close the Estate
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File a final report and request court approval to close.
Estimated Cost of Probate in DC
| Type of Estate | Typical Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Small Estate (≤ $40K) | $200 – $1,000 |
| Regular Estate ($100K–$500K) | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Large Estate ($500K+) | $10,000 – $25,000+ |
Assets That Bypass Probate in DC
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Jointly titled property with survivorship
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Life insurance or retirement accounts with beneficiaries
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Trust-held property
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POD (Payable-on-death) and TOD (Transfer-on-death) accounts
