District of Columbia
Estate law, probate process, and inheritance rules for District of Columbia — in plain language.
$2,500–$5,000 + court costs
Abbreviated administration D.C. Code §20-351
Rate: 8%–16% graduated
Elective share: 1/2 of net estate (no descendants) or 1/3 (with descendants)
Spouse + descendants all of marriage: spouse takes 2/3, children share 1/3.
- ✓Must be 18+ and of sound mind
- ✓May be required to post bond unless will waives it
- ✓Must file inventory of estate assets
- ✓Must give notice to creditors per statute
- ⏱Will filed within 90 days of death
- ⏱Estate tax return: 10 months after death
- ⏱Inventory: 3 months after appointment
- ⚠DC has both abbreviated and standard procedures — choose carefully
- ⚠DC estate tax threshold lower than federal
- ⚠Outdated beneficiary designations override the will
- ⚠Real estate in another state triggers ancillary probate
- ⚠Joint tenancy with non-spouse can create unintended consequences
- →Trust planning for estates approaching $4M threshold
- →Federal employee + congressional staff often have unique pension/TSP planning
- D.C. Code Title 20 (Probate and Administration of Decedents' Estates)
Statute references are for orientation only. Verify current text with your state legislature's website. Not legal advice — consult an attorney licensed in District of Columbia.
Plan Your Passing is not a law firm. The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, tax, medical, or professional advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this site or using any tool on it. Estate, probate, tax, and inheritance laws differ by country, state, province, county, and individual circumstance, and they change over time. You are solely responsible for confirming the laws that apply to you. Always consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before making any legal, financial, or tax decision regarding wills, trusts, beneficiaries, probate, real estate transfers, gifts, or end-of-life directives. The author, operators, and affiliates of this site disclaim all liability for actions taken or not taken based on its contents.
Free resource
Start with the checklist
Download the free Family Estate Readiness Checklist — 47 things to do, say, find, and decide.
No spam. One email with the checklist, then occasional updates.