D.C. Code § 20-712 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-712
§ 20-712. Appraisal; supervised administration.
Status: in_force

(a) In a supervised administration, the fair market value of each item listed in the inventory, as of the date of death of the decedent, shall be determined by an appraisal. Except as specifically provided by this subsection, the supervised personal representative may use either the standing appraisers or special appraisers, as the personal representative deems appropriate. The supervised personal representative may appraise the following items listed in section 20-711(a):
  (1) items listed in paragraphs (4), (5), and (6); and
  (2) items listed in paragraph (3) that are listed on any national or regional exchange or are sold in the over-the-counter market for which bid and asked prices are regularly published.
(b) An appraisal shall be in columnar form, shall describe generally each item that has been appraised, shall assign a value to each item that has been appraised, and shall be verified by the appraiser. A verification under this section shall certify that the appraiser has impartially valued the property described in the appraisal to the best of the appraiser’s skill and judgment. Any appraisal not performed by the personal representative shall be delivered to the personal representative immediately upon completion and verification. The name and address of any appraiser shall be indicated on the inventory with the item or items appraised.
(c) An appraisal fee shall be payable only to a person making an appraisal at the request of the personal representative.
(d) If the filing of the inventory was not required within 3 months after the appointment of the personal representative, either because the administration was at that time unsupervised or because it was waived pursuant to section 20-731, and if the inventory is subsequently required to be filed, the requirement for appraisals in that event shall be excused unless otherwise ordered by the Court for good cause shown.
D.C. Code § 20-525 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-525
§ 20-525. Termination; resignation.
Status: in_force

A personal representative may resign by filing a written statement of resignation with the Register after giving at least 15 days written notice to all interested persons of intention to resign. If, within such 15 days, no one applies for the appointment of a successor personal representative or special administrator and no appointment is made, the resigning personal representative may apply to the Court for the appointment of a successor. Upon the appointment of such successor, the resigning personal representative shall immediately account for and deliver the property belonging to the estate to the successor personal representative or special administrator. The resignation of a personal representative shall be effective upon approval by the Court.
D.C. Code § 20-109 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 1 / § 20-109
§ 20-109. Effective date.
Status: in_force

This title shall apply only to an estate of a decedent who died on or after January 1, 1981. Title 20 of the D.C. Official Code enacted by virtue of An Act To enact Part III of the District of Columbia Code, entitled “Decedents’ Estates and Fiduciary Relations”, codifying the general and permanent laws relating to decedents’ estates and fiduciary relations in the District of Columbia, approved September 14, 1965 (79 Stat. 703), and An Act To amend chapter 19 of title 20 of the District of Columbia Code to provide for distribution of a minor’s share in a decedent’s personal estate where the share does not exceed the value of $1,000, approved August 11, 1971 (85 Stat. 307), shall apply to an estate of a decedent who died before January 1, 1981.
D.C. Code § 20-108.01 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 1 / § 20-108.01
§ 20-108.01. Effect of fraud and evasion.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever fraud has been perpetrated in connection with any proceeding or in any statement filed under this title or if fraud is used to avoid or circumvent the provisions or purposes of this title, any person injured thereby may obtain appropriate relief against the perpetrator of the fraud or restitution from any person (other than a bona fide purchaser) benefiting from the fraud, whether innocent or not. Any proceeding must be commenced within 2 years after the discovery of the fraud, but no proceeding may be brought against one not a perpetrator of the fraud later than 5 years after the time of commission of the fraud. This section has no bearing on remedies relating to fraud practiced on a decedent during lifetime that may affect the succession to the decedent’s estate.
(b) Notwithstanding the remedy provided in subsection (a) of this section, nothing in this title shall be construed to validate any document with respect to which there was any misrepresentation, fraudulent act, or illegal provision in connection with its execution.
(c) In addition to the remedy provided in subsection (a) of this section, any person convicted of a fraudulent act in connection with the collection, administration, distribution, or closing of an estate under this title and who thereby obtains property of another or causes another to lose property, shall be subject to the penalties set forth in section 122 of the District of Columbia Theft and White Collar Crimes Act of 1982, effective December 1, 1982 ( D.C. Law 4-164 ; § 22-3222 ).
D.C. Code § 20-751 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-751
§ 20-751. Compensation.
Status: in_force

Except as may otherwise be ordered by the Court for good cause shown in respect to a supervised personal representative or a special administrator, a personal representative is entitled to reasonable compensation for services. If a will provides for compensation of the personal representative and there is no contract with the decedent regarding compensation, the personal representative may renounce the provision either before or after qualifying and be entitled to reasonable compensation. A personal representative also may renounce the right to all or any part of the compensation. A written renunciation of fee may be filed with the Court.
D.C. Code § 20-704 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-704
§ 20-704. Notice of appointment to interested persons, creditors and unknown heirs.
Status: in_force

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on September 26, 2026. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation affecting this section, click this link: Permanent Version .*
(a) Within 20 days after appointment, the personal representative shall, unless notice has already been given under this subsection, publish a notice of the appointment in a legal periodical or newspaper of general circulation in the District or any other publication as the Court may provide by Rule once a week for 2 successive weeks. This notice shall announce the appointment and address of the personal representative, state whether administration is supervised or unsupervised, and notify creditors of the estate to present their claims. The personal representative shall file with the Register a certification specifying the date and content of the published notice. The notice shall be substantially in the following form:
To all persons interested in the estate of
This is to give notice that the undersigned, __________________ whose address is _________ was, on _________ appointed personal representative of the estate of ________ who died on ________ , (with) (without) a will, and that the personal representative will serve in (supervised) (unsupervised) administration.
All persons having any objection to such appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file an objection with the Register of Wills on or before ________ (6 months from the date of the first publication of notice under this section).
All persons having claims against the decedent shall present their claims to the undersigned or file their claims with the Register of Wills on or before 6 months from the date of the first publication of this notice.
Any claim not so filed on or before such date shall be unenforceable thereafter.
Any person who is related to the decedent and who does not receive notice of this appointment by mail within 25 days shall so inform the Register of Wills including such person’s name, address, and relationship to the decedent.
Personal representative
Date of first publication:
__________
(b) Not later than 20 days after appointment, a personal representative (except when notice under this subsection has already been given) shall send, by registered or certified mail to the heirs and legatees of the decedent and to all creditors whose identities are known or whose identities are reasonably ascertainable by reasonably diligent efforts, the text of the first newspaper notice of the appointment of such representative, and the following general information in a form developed by the Court:
  (1) the typical duties of a personal representative in estate administration, including a description of the essential steps of estate administration, whether the personal representative is subject to continuing court supervision as provided in section 20-401 et seq., or is an unsupervised personal representative;
  (2) how fees for estate administration are determined in this jurisdiction and that the personal representative is to be provided as soon as feasible with an estimate of fees to be claimed against the estate;
  (3) the rights of heirs or legatees, the assistance an heir or legatee may provide to the personal representative, and the role of the Register, whether the personal representative is subject to continuing court supervision as provided in section 20-401 et seq., or is an unsupervised personal representative. The personal representative shall certify to the Register that notices under this subsection have been given, whether the personal representative is subject to continuing court supervision as provided in section 20-401 et seq., or is an unsupervised personal representative; and
  (4) if the personal representative is not subject to continuing court supervision, the right of any interested person, on petition to the Court duly presented and filed with the Register, to initiate a proceeding involving notice to interested persons and a hearing to impose Court supervision on the estate, or to seek any other court order necessary for protection of rights of the interested person.
(b-1) The personal representative shall certify to the Register that notices under subsection (b) of this section have been given.
(b-2) Within 90 days after the appointment of the personal representative, the personal representative (whether supervised or unsupervised) shall certify to the Register that the notices required under subsection (b) of this section above have been given.
(c) If a will is admitted to probate after notice has been given under subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the personal representative shall give notice of appointment or reappointment as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section: except, that ordinary mail may be substituted for registered or certified mail in accordance with section 20-103.
D.C. Code § 20-354 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-354
§ 20-354. Duties of personal representatives.
Status: in_force

(a) Attorney; bond; compensation. — No person appointed as a personal representative in accordance with section 20-353 shall be required to be represented by an attorney or to give bond or be entitled to receive any commission for the performance of duties as personal representative.
(b) Distribution. — If notice is required and 30 days have expired since the publication of notice as provided in section 20-353(b), the personal representative shall file proof of publication of the notice and a verified list of all claims, including contingent and disputed claims, and the amount of the claims filed since the original petition. The Court shall hear any objections filed pursuant to the notice and, if satisfied that all action taken pursuant to this subchapter is proper, shall direct the personal representative to pay all proper claims and expenses and to distribute the net estate either in accordance with the will or, if the decedent died intestate, to the decedent’s heirs.
D.C. Code § 20-344 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-344
§ 20-344. Right of heir or legatee.
Status: in_force

In the event a foreign personal representative fails to transfer the title to real or leasehold property located in the District of Columbia to the person or persons legally entitled to such property, within a reasonable time, the Court may direct the transfer of title to such person or persons if: (a) the will, if any, or a copy authenticated pursuant to 28 U.S.C. sec. 1738  , is filed in the Register’s office; (b) notice, approved by the Court, has been published indicating that the decedent died owning the real or leasehold property; and (c) all claims of creditors, if any, have been satisfied.
D.C. Code § 20-353 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-353
§ 20-353. Proceedings after petition.
Status: in_force

(a) Determinations on petition. — If the Court finds that the petition and any additional information filed under this subchapter is accurate, it shall:
  (1) appoint a personal representative of the small estate;
  (2) direct the immediate payment of the allowable funeral expenses as provided in section 20-906 and the family allowance as provided in section 19-101 [repealed];
  (3) direct the sale of property as may be necessary to satisfy funeral expenses and the family allowance; and
  (4) if it appears that there will be any property remaining after payment of funeral expenses and there is no family allowance payable, admit the will, if any, to probate and direct that notice be given in accordance with subsection (b).
(b) Notice. — If the Court directs that notice be given, notice shall be given once in the form required by section 20-704; except, that the period within which claims must be filed or objection must be made to contest the validity of the will or the small estates proceeding or the appointment of the personal representative shall be 30 days from the date of publication of notice.
D.C. Code § 20-356 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-356
§ 20-356. Applicability of other provisions of title.
Status: in_force

Except to the extent inconsistent with this subchapter, all the other provisions of this title shall apply to small estates.
D.C. Code § 20-532 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-532
§ 20-532. Bond.
Status: in_force

A special administrator shall satisfy the requirements of section 20-502   relating to the bond of a personal representative.
D.C. Code § 20-743.01 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-743.01
§ 20-743.01. Sale, encumbrance, or transaction involving conflict of interest; voidable; exceptions.
Status: in_force

Any sale, lease, or encumbrance to the personal representative, the personal representative’s spouse, agent or attorney, or any corporation, trust, or other entity in which such individual has a substantial beneficial interest, or any other transaction which is affected by a substantial conflict of interest on the part of the personal representative, may be set aside by the Court in proceedings initiated by any interested person except one who has consented after fair disclosure (and any person or entity claiming by or through such interested person) unless:
(1) the will authorized such dealings with the personal representative, either generally or with regard to a specific transaction or type of transaction;
(2) a contract entered into by the decedent authorized such a transaction; or
(3) the transaction is approved by the Court after notice to the interested persons.
D.C. Code § 20-909 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-909
§ 20-909. Payment of claim.
Status: in_force

(a) No later than 8 months from the date of the first publication of notice of the appointment of a personal representative, the personal representative shall, unless the Court extends the time for good cause shown, proceed to pay the claims allowed against the estate in the order of priority prescribed in section 20-906. Any person with a valid unbarred claim or with a valid unbarred judgment who has not been paid within the 8 month period may petition the Court for an order directing the personal representative to pay the claim to the extent that funds of the estate are available for such payment. If the Court extends the time for the personal representative to pay a claim under this subsection, the statutory limit for filing a suit on the claim shall be suspended during the extension of time plus 60 days.
(b) The personal representative may, at any time, pay any just claim which has not been barred, with or without formal presentation, but the personal representative is personally liable to any other claimant whose claim is allowed and who is injured by such payment if:
  (1) the payment was made before the expiration of 6 months from the date of the first publication of notice of the personal representative’s appointment and the personal representative failed to require the payee to give adequate security to refund any of the payment necessary to pay other claimants; or
  (2) the payment was made due to the negligence or willful fault of the personal representative.
D.C. Code § 20-323 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-323
§ 20-323. Notice of request for formal probate; form.
Status: in_force

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on September 26, 2026. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation affecting this section, click this link: Permanent Version .*
(a) When given. – A person filing a petition for formal probate shall promptly give notice to all known interested persons. In addition, the petitioner shall publish a notice once a week for 2 successive weeks in a legal periodical or newspaper of general circulation in the District or in any other publication the Court may provide by Rule.
(b) Form of notice. — The notice required by this section shall be in the form prescribed by the Rules.
D.C. Code § 20-904 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-904
§ 20-904. Exempt assets.
Status: in_force

Where the decedent was the head of the family or a householder the property exempt under sections 15-501   through 15-503   shall continue to be exempt from all claims against the decedent.
D.C. Code § 20-523 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-523
§ 20-523. Termination; effect.
Status: in_force

(a) Powers and duties. — Termination ends the rights and powers of the personal representative as conferred by will or by this title. Except as provided in section 20-524, a personal representative whose appointment has been terminated shall: (1) unless otherwise ordered by the Court, perform acts necessary to protect property belonging to the estate; and (2) deliver such property to the special administrator or the successor personal representative, if any.
(b) Liability. — Termination does not discharge a personal representative from liability for transactions or omissions occurring before termination or reduce the personal representative’s duty to protect property subject to such representative’s control, to account for such property and to deliver such property to the special administrator or successor representative. Termination does not affect the personal jurisdiction consented to pursuant to section 20-501 in proceedings which may be commenced against such representative arising out of the performance of duties as personal representative. If the personal representative fails to account for and deliver the property belonging to the estate to the successor personal representative or special administrator, as required by subsection (a), the Court may enter judgment against the personal representative and the personal representative’s surety.
(c) Acts prior to termination. — All lawful acts of a personal representative prior to the termination of appointment shall remain valid and effective.
D.C. Code § 20-104 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 1 / § 20-104
§ 20-104. Presumption.
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise expressly provided, whenever this title states that a fact shall be presumed, the presumption is rebuttable.
D.C. Code § 20-505 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-505
§ 20-505. Time of accrual of duties and powers.
Status: in_force

The duties and powers of a personal representative commence upon the issuance of the letters. Good faith acts beneficial to the estate which in fact were committed by the personal representative prior to issuance of letters shall have the same effect as acts occurring after the issuance of letters. A personal representative may ratify acts done on behalf of the estate by others if the personal representative is authorized to perform such acts.
D.C. Code § 20-513 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-513
§ 20-513. Powers of surviving copersonal representative.
Status: in_force

Unless the will otherwise provides: (a) when the appointment of a copersonal representative is terminated, the remaining copersonal representative or representatives may exercise all powers previously exercised by the copersonal representatives; and (b) when one of two or more persons nominated by the will as copersonal representatives is not appointed by the Court, those appointed may exercise all the powers of the office.
D.C. Code § 20-713 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-713
§ 20-713. Supervised administration; supplemental inventory; reappraisal.
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided in section 20-731, the supervised personal representative shall report to the Court any property discovered after the filing of the original inventory by filing a supplemental inventory. For each item of after-discovered property, the supplemental inventory shall satisfy the requirements of section 20-711(a) and shall be certified in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.
(b) A supervised personal representative shall have any item reappraised upon discovering that the original appraisal was erroneous or misleading. The supervised personal representative shall file the reappraisal and certification required by subsection (c) with the Court.
(c) A supplemental inventory or reappraisal filed with the Court shall be accompanied by a certification by the supervised personal representative that there has been mailed or delivered to all interested persons within the previous 15 days a copy of the supplemental inventory or reappraisal.
D.C. Code § 20-1305 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 13 / § 20-1305
§ 20-1305. Confirmatory acts.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this title shall be deemed to affect the authority of a personal representative to perform ministerial or confirmatory acts after an estate is closed or the appointment of the personal representative is terminated.
D.C. Code § 20-312 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-312
§ 20-312. Action on petition.
Status: in_force

(a) General. — Upon a request for abbreviated probate filed in accordance with section 20-304, the Court shall appoint one or more personal representatives, except as provided in section 20-322. The appointment of a personal representative shall constitute an Order for unsupervised administration, unless the Order specifically provides for supervised administration as provided in section 20-402. In no event, however, shall the appointment of a personal representative be delayed pending the Court’s decision with regard to whether the administration will be supervised or unsupervised.
(b) Wills. — In the case of a petition to admit a will to abbreviated probate, due execution of the will shall be presumed and the Court may admit a will to probate either: (1) if the will appears to have been duly executed and contains a recital by attesting witnesses of facts constituting due execution; or (2) upon the verified statement of any person with personal knowledge of the circumstances of execution, whether or not the person was in fact an attesting witness, reciting facts showing due execution of the will.
D.C. Code § 20-907 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-907
§ 20-907. Funeral expenses.
Status: in_force

Where an estate is solvent and the will expressly empowers a personal representative to pay funeral expenses in an amount left to the personal representative’s discretion, then no allowance from the Court shall be required. In all other cases, the Court may allow, in its discretion, funeral expenses of the decedent in excess of $5,000 according to the condition and circumstances of the decedent, but in no event shall such allowance exceed $15,000. However, the funeral expenses limit for a solvent estate may be waived if the waiver is in writing, signed by all heirs or legatees, and filed with the Register.
D.C. Code § 20-1303 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 13 / § 20-1303
§ 20-1303. Limitations.
Status: in_force

(a) Proceedings against personal representative. — Unless otherwise barred, any claim of personal liability against a personal representative, except for fraud, and except as provided in section 20-736, shall be barred one year from the date of distribution of all the assets and satisfaction of all known claims against the estate. Unless shown by the personal representative to be earlier, the date of such distribution and satisfaction in an unsupervised administration shall be deemed to be the date of the filing of the Certificate of Completion or, if none, 3 months after the termination of the appointment of the personal representative.
(b) Claims against heirs and legatees. — (1) Except as otherwise provided in section 20-1302, the right of any person seeking to recover improperly distributed property or its value from any person to whom property has been distributed shall be barred one year from the date of distribution of all the assets of the estate and satisfaction of all known claims against the estate.
  (2) Where an action or proceeding is commenced against the personal representative within the time prescribed in subsection (a) of this section, the right of the personal representative to seek recovery pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not be barred earlier than 3 months following the commencement of the action or proceeding.
  (3) Nothing in this subsection shall bar the recovery of property or its value that was received as the result of the distributee’s participation in a fraudulent distribution.
D.C. Code § 20-724 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-724
§ 20-724. When to render accounts; supervised administration.
Status: in_force

(a) General. — Except as provided in section 20-731, a supervised personal representative shall render accounts:
  (1) within one year and one day of the first publication of notice pursuant to section 20-704;
  (2) within 9 months after the account referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection and within 9 months of each subsequent account until the filing of the final account or the termination of the supervised personal representative’s appointment;
  (3) upon termination of the supervised personal representative’s appointment, as provided in subchapter III of Chapter 5; and
  (4) at such other times as may be ordered by the Court.
(b) Extensions. — Upon written application of the supervised personal representative stating reasons for the request, the Court may, for good cause shown, extend the time for rendering an account to a specified date.
D.C. Code § 20-753 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-753
§ 20-753. Proceedings for review of employment of agents and compensation of personal representatives and employees of estate.
Status: in_force

(a) On petition of any interested person (other than one who has consented after fair disclosure, and any person or entity claiming by or through such interested person) or on appropriate motion if administration is supervised, and after notice to all interested persons and hearing, the reasonableness of the need for or scope of employment of any person or entity employed by a personal representative including any attorney, auditor, investment advisor or other specialized agent or assistant, the reasonableness of the compensation of any person or entity so employed, or the reasonableness of the compensation claimed or taken by the personal representative for the personal representative’s own services, may be reviewed by the Court. Any person or entity who has received from an estate compensation for services rendered in excess of what the Court finds to be reasonable may be ordered to make appropriate refunds if such person or entity was given due notice of the petition and hearing, and the right to participate in such hearing.
(b) In determining the reasonableness of any employment or compensation as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the Court shall consider the following factors (as shown in the verified statements of the personal representative or of any other recipient of such compensation), as well as any other factors deemed relevant by the Court:
  (1) the reasonable relationship of the compensation to the nature of the work performed;
  (2) any estimate of such compensation provided to the personal representative (or to the interested persons, in the case of compensation to the personal representative who is also counsel for the estate);
  (3) the reasonableness of the time spent, including the number of hours spent and the usual hourly compensation for the work performed;
  (4) the nature and complexity of the matters involved and difficulties encountered, and the results achieved; and
  (5) whether or not all relevant time limitations have been met (or the reasons for any delay).
(c) The payment of any compensation to any attorney pursuant to this provision (including compensation taken or claimed by an attorney as personal representative), even if later ordered by the Court to be refunded to the estate in whole or in part, shall not in and of itself be considered to be a taking or misappropriation of client funds under (or any other such violation of) any applicable ethical or disciplinary statutes or rules by that attorney.
D.C. Code § 20-534 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-534
§ 20-534. Termination of appointment.
Status: in_force

The appointment of a special administrator terminates either upon the appointment of a personal representative or in the same manner provided in subchapter III of this chapter for the suspension and termination of a personal representative.
D.C. Code § 20-355 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-355
§ 20-355. After-discovered property.
Status: in_force

The personal representative shall report to the Court immediately, by verified supplemental petition, any property of the decedent discovered after the filing of the petition. If the after-discovered property increases the value of all property of the decedent to an amount greater than the allowable funeral expenses (and there is no family allowance payable) but less than $15,000, the Court shall admit the will, if any, to probate and direct that notice be given in accordance with section 20-353(b)  . If the after-discovered property increases the value of all property of the decedent to more than $15,000, there shall be no further proceedings under this subchapter, and administration shall proceed under the other provisions of this title.
D.C. Code § 20-103 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 1 / § 20-103
§ 20-103. Notice.
Status: in_force

(a) First notice. — Unless personal service or notice by publication is expressly required by this title or by the Rules, the first notice required or permitted to be given to any person under this title shall be sufficient if deposited as registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed to the addressee at the address last known to the sender, with delivery restricted to the addressee.
(b) Subsequent notice. — Any subsequent notice to such person in accordance with this title shall be sufficient if deposited as ordinary mail, postage prepaid, addressed either to the same address at which the first notice was received, as evidence by return receipt from the post office or, if the sender has received written notice from the addressee of a change of address, to the new address.
(c) Failure of notice. — If no return receipt is received apparently signed by the addressee, and there is no proof of actual notice, no action taken in any proceeding under this title shall prejudice the rights of the person entitled to notice unless the sender verifies, to the satisfaction of the Court, that reasonable efforts to locate and warn the addressee of the pendency of the action have been made.
(d) Notice to personal representative. — A personal representative or special administrator is not required to give self notice.
(e) Notice for contingent interests. — If the interest of an heir or legatee is solely contingent on whether some other heir or legatee survives the decedent or some other event or period, any notice given before the contingent interest vests shall conclusively be deemed to have been given to the heir or legatee whose interest has been contingent.
(f) Waiver of notice. — A person may waive the right to any notice or may consent to any matter. The waiver or consent shall set forth the specific matter that is the subject of the waiver or consent, be signed, and be filed with the Court and served on the personal representative. A person may revoke a waiver or consent at any time by filing a revocation with the Court and serving it on the personal representative. The revocation shall have prospective effect only.
D.C. Code § 20-342 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-342
§ 20-342. Powers of foreign personal representative.
Status: in_force

A foreign personal representative may exercise all the powers of such office and may sue and be sued in the District of Columbia, subject to any statute or rule relating to nonresidents.
D.C. Code § 20-361 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-361
§ 20-361. Payment or delivery of small asset by affidavit.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person having possession of a small asset shall pay or deliver the small asset to the designated successor of the decedent upon being presented an affidavit made by all of the known successors stating:
  (1) The value of the decedent's entire probate estate, less liens and encumbrances, as of the date of the decedent's death, wherever located, exceeds the estate's known liabilities but does not exceed $40,000, and that such estate does not include an interest in real property;
  (2) At least 60 days have elapsed since the decedent's death as shown in a certified copy of the decedent's death certificate attached to the affidavit;
  (3) No application for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction;
  (4) The decedent's will, if any, was duly admitted to probate;
  (5) The funeral expenses of the decedent have been paid;
  (6) The names and addresses of all successors, to the extent known, and the amount, proportion, or percentage of the small asset to which each successor is entitled;
  (7) The name of each successor designated to receive payment or delivery of the small asset on behalf of any other successor, the grounds for such representation, and that each designated successor shall have a fiduciary duty to safeguard and promptly pay or deliver the small asset as required by District law; and
  (8) The person named as successor to the small asset under the affidavit swears or affirms that all statements in the affidavit are true and material, under penalty of perjury pursuant to § 22-2402 .
(b) The designated successor may discharge his fiduciary duty to promptly pay or deliver the small asset to a successor who is, or is reasonably believed to be, incapacitated or under a legal disability, by paying or delivering the asset directly to the incapacitated or disabled successor or applying it for such successor's benefit, or by:
  (1) Paying it to the guardian or conservator of such successor's property or, if no such guardian or conservator exists, the guardian of such successor's person;
  (2) Paying it to such successor's custodian under Chapter 3 of Title 21 or custodial trustee under Chapter 11 of Title 19 , and, for that purpose, creating a custodianship or custodial trust;
  (3) If the designated successor does not know of a conservator, guardian, custodian, or custodial trustee, paying it to an adult relative or other person having legal or physical care or custody of such successor to be expended on such successor's behalf; or
  (4) Managing it as a separate fund on such successor's behalf, subject to such successor's continuing right to withdraw the asset.
(c) A transfer agent of any security, upon the surrender of the certificates, if any, evidencing the security, shall change the registered ownership on the books of a corporation from the decedent to the designated successor upon the presentation of an affidavit as provided in subsection (a) of this section.
(d) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall transfer title of a motor vehicle from the decedent to the designated successor upon the presentation of an affidavit as provided in subsection (a) of this section and payment of any necessary fees.
(e) (1) Upon the presentation of an affidavit as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the designated successor may endorse or negotiate any small asset that is a check, draft, or other negotiable instrument that is payable to the decedent or the decedent's estate.
  (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 28:3-403 , 28:3-417 , and 28:3-420 , a financial institution accepting such check, draft, or other negotiable instrument presented for deposit in such manner is discharged from all claims for the amount accepted.
(f) For purposes of subsection (a) of this section, a distributee shall have the same rights as a personal representative under Chapter 25 of Title 21 to access a digital asset of the decedent.
D.C. Code § 20-721 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-721
§ 20-721. Duty to account; supervised administration.
Status: in_force

Except as provided in section 20-731  , a supervised personal representative shall prepare verified written accounts of the management and distribution of the decedent’s property at the times and in the manner prescribed in this subchapter. The personal representative shall file the account with a certificate that there has been mailed or delivered to all interested persons, within the previous 15 days, a copy of the account with a notice that the account will be filed on or before a stated date.
D.C. Code § 20-723 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-723
§ 20-723. Subsequent account; supervised administration.
Status: in_force

After an initial account has been rendered, subsequent accounts, whether filed by the same supervised personal representative or by a successor, shall contain:
(a) the value of any assets in the possession or control of the personal representative as shown in the previous account;
(b) the value of assets as shown in any inventory made since the previous account;
(c) all receipts of the estate since the date of the previous account;
(d) each purchase, sale, lease, transfer, compromise, settlement, disbursement and distribution of assets since the previous account, a description of each such transaction, and a statement of the amount by which it affects the amounts referred to in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c); and
(e) the value of any remaining assets in the possession or control of the personal representative.
D.C. Code § 20-752 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-752
§ 20-752. Expenses of estate litigation.
Status: in_force

Without regard to the provisions of section 20-751  , when a personal representative or a person nominated as personal representative defends or prosecutes in good faith and with just cause any proceeding relating to the decedent’s estate, whether successful or not, such personal representative shall be entitled to receive from the estate any necessary expenses and disbursements relating to such proceeding.
D.C. Code § 20-102 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 1 / § 20-102
§ 20-102. Verification.
Status: in_force

(a) When a writing is required by this title to be verified, verification shall be sufficient if the writing is signed by the person required to make the verification and contains the following representation:
“I do solemnly declare and affirm under penalty of law that the contents of the foregoing document are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.”
(b) Any person who in making a verification under this section willfully and contrary to the verification states any material matter that such person does not believe to be true shall be guilty of an offense. Any person convicted of this offense shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than 2 or more than 10 years.
(c) In addition to any other penalty provided under this section, a person may be fined an amount not more than the amount set forth in [ § 22-3571.01 ].
D.C. Code § 20-304 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-304
§ 20-304. Petition for probate.
Status: in_force

(a) General. — The petition for probate shall contain all knowledge or information of the petitioner with respect to:
  (1) the name, domicile, and place and date of death of the decedent;
  (2) the petitioner’s name, address, age, citizenship, relationship to the decedent, interest in the estate, if any, and legal disability, if any;
  (3) facts necessary to confer jurisdiction upon the Court;
  (4) any other proceeding filed elsewhere regarding the decedent’s estate;
  (5) the character, location, and estimated value of the decedent’s real and personal property and the total estimated debts and funeral expenses of the decedent;
  (6) the names and addresses of all interested persons, and the names of all persons who are witnesses to any will referred to in subsection (c); and
  (7) whether the decedent died intestate or testate with disclosure of further information pursuant to subsection (b) or (c), as appropriate.
(b) Intestate. — If the decedent died intestate, the petition shall state that a diligent search for a will has been made.
(c) Testate. — If the decedent died testate, the petitioner shall: (1) exhibit the original of the will with the petition, or exhibit a copy of the will if the original has already been filed; and (2) state whether the petitioner knows of any later will. If the petitioner is filing or has filed the original of the will, the petition shall state the manner in which the petitioner obtained the original of the will.
(d) Explanation for lack of information. — The petition shall state the reasons why any information required by subsection (a) cannot be furnished by the petitioner.
(e) Request for abbreviated or formal probate or small estates proceeding. — The petition shall indicate whether the petitioner requests an abbreviated probate, small estates or formal probate proceeding.
(f) Request for court action. — The petition may contain, as appropriate, and shall (without the need for the filing of any complaint) be sufficient to obtain the Court’s action on, a request for one or more of the following:
  (1) the admission to probate of any will exhibited with the petition;
  (2) an order directing witnesses to an alleged will to appear and give testimony regarding its execution;
  (3) an order requiring any person alleged to have custody of a will to deliver it to the Court;
  (4) an order directing any interested person to show cause why the provisions of any lost or destroyed will should not be admitted to probate as expressed in the petition;
  (5) a finding that the decedent died intestate;
  (6) a request for the appointment of a supervised personal representative if the requirements of section 20-402 are met and supervision is desired, or for the appointment of an unsupervised personal representative in other cases and, in each case, for the issuance of appropriate letters;
  (7) any other relief that the petitioner may deem appropriate.
D.C. Code § 20-1106 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 11 / § 20-1106
§ 20-1106. Distribution to a minor.
Status: in_force

(a) If a personal representative is required to distribute assets of an estate to a minor, and if the will contains a direction or grants discretion to the personal representative with regard to the manner of making such a distribution, then the personal representative shall make distribution in accordance with that direction or discretion without the need for any order of the Court.
(b) If a personal representative is required to distribute assets of an estate to a minor, and if there is no will or if the will does not give any direction or discretion to the personal representative with regard to such a distribution, then the personal representative may make such distribution as follows:
  (1) without the need for any order of the Court, in the following order of priority:
    (A) to the guardian of the minor if the guardian has filed with the Court a copy of the guardian’s appointment as guardian and an order authorizing such guardian to receive such distribution authenticated pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1738; or
    (B) to the custodian selected or approved by the personal representative for the minor under the Uniform Gifts (or Transfers) to Minors Act of any jurisdiction, subject to the limits, if any, under such applicable act on the property which may be received and held by such custodian; or
  (2) in any other manner approved by the Court.
(c) When a personal representative distributes assets in accordance with this section, the personal representative shall obtain a voucher, signed by the distributee, indicating receipt of the property distributed.
D.C. Code § 20-343 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-343
§ 20-343. Publication and claims of creditors.
Status: in_force

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on September 26, 2026. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation affecting this section, click this link: Permanent Version .*
(a) Publication. — A foreign personal representative of a decedent who owned any property located in the District of Columbia shall publish once a week for 2 successive weeks a notice in a legal periodical or newspaper of general circulation in the District or any other publication as the Court may provide by Rule. This notice shall include an announcement of such representative’s appointment, name and address, agent’s name and address in the District of Columbia for service of process on file with the Register, the name of the court that made such appointment, a brief description of all real property owned by the decedent in the District of Columbia and, if appropriate, a statement that the decedent owned personal property in the District. If the property located in the District of Columbia is real property (not leasehold), the notice shall also state that claims against the estate may be filed with the Register at any time within 6 months from the date of first publication. The foreign personal representative shall record in the Register’s office a certification that such notice was published.
(b) Personal or leasehold property. — With regard to personal or leasehold property located in the District of Columbia, a foreign personal representative may remove, lease, or transfer the property:
  (1) upon the first publication of notice pursuant to subsection (a) if such representative holds letters from:
    (A) a jurisdiction within the Metropolitan Area; or
    (B) a jurisdiction outside the Metropolitan Area and such representative posts a bond with a penalty amount equal to the value of the property to extend for the 6 months during which a creditor may file a claim; or
  (2) six months after the first publication of notice pursuant to subsection (a) if:
    (A) no claims are filed with the Register during this time; or
    (B) all claims of creditors have been released or finally determined in favor of the personal representative.
(c) Real property. — With regard to real property located in the District of Columbia, a foreign personal representative may lease or transfer the property if such representative:
  (1) posts bond with a penalty amount equal to the value of the property and makes first publication of notice pursuant to subsection (a); or
  (2) allows 6 months to pass after the first publication required by subsection (a) and (A) no claims are filed with the Register during this time or (B) all claims of creditors have been released or finally determined in favor of the personal representative.
(d) Statement of claim. — Any creditor may, within 6 months from the date of the first publication of notice, file a written statement of claim, pursuant to section 20-905, with the Register and deliver or mail a copy of the statement to the personal representative. The Register shall record all such claims and releases. Unless a release of a validly recorded claim has been recorded or the claim has finally been determined in favor of the personal representative, such claim shall constitute a lien against all real property owned by the decedent in the District of Columbia at death for a period of 12 years from date of death: Except, that if the personal representative is empowered to sell the property such claim shall constitute a lien against the net proceeds from the sale.
(e) No other action necessary. — It shall not be necessary for the foreign personal representative to institute any other proceedings before the Register with respect to any assets subject to the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia.
(f) Responsibility for payment of death taxes. — This section shall not be construed to relieve the foreign personal representative of the responsibility for paying all death taxes due the District of Columbia.
D.C. Code § 20-901 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-901
§ 20-901. Claim not paid in normal course of administration.
Status: in_force

No proceeding to enforce a claim against a decedent’s estate may be revived or commenced before the appointment of a personal representative. After appointment, and until the estate is closed, the procedures prescribed by this chapter shall be followed. After the estate is closed, a creditor whose claim has not been barred may recover directly from the persons to whom property has been distributed as provided in sections 20-1302   and 20-1303   or from a personal representative individually as provided in section 20-1303  .
D.C. Code § 20-1104 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 11 / § 20-1104
§ 20-1104. Distribution; effect.
Status: in_force

(a) Title of distributees. — Proof that a distributee has received an instrument or deed of distribution of assets in kind from the personal representative is conclusive evidence that the distributee has succeeded to the interest of the estate in the distributed assets, as against all interested persons, except that the personal representative shall recover the assets or their value if the distribution was improper in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Improper distribution; liability of distributee. — A distributee of property improperly distributed who has not disposed of the property shall return the property received to the personal representative unless the distribution can no longer be questioned because of adjudication or limitations. If a distributee has disposed of any property improperly distributed, such distributee shall be liable to the personal representative for the value of the property on the date of distribution or the date of disposition, whichever is lower, unless the distribution can no longer be questioned because of adjudication or limitations.
(c) Purchasers from distributees protected. — If property distributed in kind or a security interest therein is acquired for value by a purchaser from, or lender to, a distributee who has received an instrument or deed of distribution from the personal representative, or is so acquired by a purchaser from, or lender to, a transferee from such distributee, the purchaser or lender takes good title free of any claims or rights of any interested person in the estate and incurs no personal liability to the estate, or to any interested person, whether or not the distribution was proper or supported by court order or the authority of the personal representative was terminated before execution of the instrument or deed. This section protects a purchaser from, or lender to, a distributee (or a distributee’s transferee) even when the distributee, who, as personal representative, has executed such deed of distribution. To be protected under this provision, a purchaser or lender need not inquire whether a personal representative acted properly in making the distribution in kind, even if the personal representative and the distributee are the same person, or whether the authority of the personal representative had terminated before the distribution. Any recorded instrument described in this section on which a state documentary fee is noted shall be prima facie evidence that such transfer was made for value.
D.C. Code § 20-905 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-905
§ 20-905. Manner of presentation of claim.
Status: in_force

(a) A claimant shall present a claim against a decedent’s estate by delivering or mailing, return receipt requested, a written statement of the claim, verified in accordance with section 20-102:
  (1) to the personal representative with a copy to the Register; or
  (2) to the Register with a copy to the personal representative.
For purposes of presenting a claim within the 6-month time limits provided in section 20-903  , a claim shall be deemed presented if inadvertently it is only sent either to the personal representative or to the Register pursuant to this section.
(b) A statement of a claim shall state:
  (1) the name and address of the claimant;
  (2) the basis of the claim;
  (3) the amount claimed;
  (4) if the claim is not yet due, when the claim will become due;
  (5) if the claim is contingent, the nature of the contingency; and
  (6) if the claim is secured, a description of the security.
(c) The Court may, in its discretion, disallow a claim, in whole or in part, if the claimant fails to comply with subsections (a) and (b) or with the personal representative’s reasonable requests for additional information.
D.C. Code § 20-311 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-311
§ 20-311. Nature of proceeding.
Status: in_force

(a) Upon request for abbreviated probate contained in a petition for probate, the Register of Wills:
  (1) May admit a will to probate; and
  (2) Shall appoint one or more personal representatives based on the statements contained in the petition for probate.
(b) The Register of Wills may require additional verified proof, which shall be filed in the proceeding.
(c) The finality of abbreviated probate shall be governed by § 20-331 .
D.C. Code § 20-362 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-362
§ 20-362. Effect of affidavit.
Status: in_force

(a) (1) Any person paying or delivering a small asset pursuant to § 20-361 shall be discharged and released to the same extent as if that person dealt with the personal representative of the decedent.
  (2) Such person shall not be required to see the application of the small asset or to inquire into the truth of any statement in any affidavit.
(b) If any person to whom such an affidavit is presented refuses to pay or deliver any small asset, the small asset may be recovered, or its payment or delivery compelled, and damages may be recovered, on proof of rightful claim in a proceeding brought for that purpose by or on behalf of the person entitled thereto.
(c) (1) If a person or entity holding property of a decedent refuses to honor an affidavit without reasonable cause, such person or entity shall be liable for all costs, including reasonable attorney fees and costs, incurred by or on behalf of the persons entitled to such property.
  (2) The person to whom an affidavit was delivered shall bear the burden of proving reasonable cause by a preponderance of the evidence.
(d) Any person to whom payment or delivery of a small asset has been made shall be answerable and accountable therefor to any personal representative of the decedent's estate or to any other successor having an equal or superior right.
D.C. Code § 20-734 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-734
§ 20-734. Duty to account; unsupervised administration.
Status: in_force

An unsupervised personal representative shall account to interested persons for his receipts, disbursements, and distribution of estate assets at reasonable intervals, or on reasonable demand, and may be compelled to account to the Court in a proceeding initiated by an interested person, following notice and hearing.
D.C. Code § 20-1107 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 11 / § 20-1107
§ 20-1107. Distribution to fiduciary for nonresident person under legal disability other than minority.
Status: in_force

If a fiduciary has been appointed for a nonresident person under a legal disability other than minority and if such fiduciary has filed copies of such appointment and an order authorizing such fiduciary to receive such distribution authenticated pursuant to 28 U.S.C. sec. 1738  , the personal representative may distribute the share of an estate of the person with a disability to such fiduciary.
D.C. Code § 20-744 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-744
§ 20-744. Protection of person dealing with personal representative.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in section 20-753  , a person who in good faith either assists or deals with a personal representative for value is protected as if the personal representative properly exercised his power. The fact that a person knowingly deals with a personal representative does not alone require the person to inquire into the existence of a power or the propriety of its exercise. Except for restrictions on powers of supervised personal representatives which are endorsed on letters as provided in section 20-504  , no provision in any will or order of court purporting to limit the power of a personal representative is effective except as to persons with actual knowledge thereof. A person is not bound to see to the proper application of estate assets paid or delivered to a personal representative. The protection here expressed extends to instances in which some procedural irregularity or jurisdictional defect occurred in proceedings leading to the issuance of letters, including a case in which the alleged decedent is found to be alive. The protection here expressed is not in substitution for that provided by comparable provisions of the laws relating to commercial transactions and laws simplifying transfers of securities by fiduciaries.
D.C. Code § 20-902 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-902
§ 20-902. Effect of statute of limitations.
Status: in_force

Unless a contrary intent is expressly indicated in the will, no claim which was barred by any statute of limitations at the time of the decedent’s death shall be allowed or paid. In an action against the estate of a deceased person, the interval between the death of the deceased and 6 months after the date of the first publication of notice of the appointment of a personal representative (not to exceed 2 years) shall not be computed as a part of the period within which the action must be brought.
D.C. Code § 20-106 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 1 / § 20-106
§ 20-106. Preference.
Status: in_force

Except as provided in sections 20-343   and 20-703  , there shall be no preference or priority between real and personal property.
D.C. Code § 20-702 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-702
§ 20-702. Duties of personal representative; possession and control of estate.
Status: in_force

A personal representative has a right to and shall take possession or control of the decedent’s estate: except, that property in the possession of the person presumptively entitled to such property as heir or legatee shall be possessed by the personal representative only when such possession is reasonably necessary for purposes of administration. When there is a request by a personal representative for delivery of any property possessed by the heir or legatee, it shall be presumed, in any action against the heir or legatee for possession of such property, that the possession of the property by the personal representative is reasonably necessary for purposes of administration. The personal representative shall pay taxes on, and take all steps reasonably necessary for the management, protection, and preservation of, the estate in the personal representative’s possession. The personal representative may maintain an action to recover possession of any property of the estate or to determine the title to any property of the decedent’s estate.
D.C. Code § 20-105 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 1 / § 20-105
§ 20-105. Devolution of property at death.
Status: in_force

All property of a decedent shall be subject to this title and, upon the decedent’s death, shall pass directly to the personal representative, who shall hold the legal title for administration and distribution of the estate.
D.C. Code § 20-914 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-914
§ 20-914. Execution and levy prohibited.
Status: in_force

No execution shall issue upon nor shall any levy be made against any property of the estate under any judgment against a decedent or a personal representative. No claim (which is not by its terms secured) shall attach to any particular estate asset, real or personal, whether in the hands of the personal representative or of any bona fide purchaser, or to the proceeds from the sale of any such asset. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prevent the enforcement of mortgages, deeds of trust, pledges, liens, or other security interests upon property in an appropriate proceeding.
D.C. Code § 20-1302 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 13 / § 20-1302
§ 20-1302. Liability of heir or legatee to creditor.
Status: in_force

After an estate has been closed, a claim not barred may be brought against one or more of the persons to whom property has been distributed. An heir or legatee shall not be liable to claimants for any amount in excess of the value of the property distributed to such heir or legatee, valued at the time of distribution or the time of filing suit, whichever is lower. An heir or legatee shall have a right of contribution against other heirs or legatees and, as between them, each shall bear the cost of satisfaction of unbarred claims as if the claim had been satisfied before distribution.
D.C. Code § 20-402 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 4 / § 20-402
§ 20-402. Supervised administration; procedure.
Status: in_force

(a) A prayer for supervised administration may be made in the petition for probate. The Court shall order supervised administration of a decedent’s estate only:
  (1) If the decedent’s will directs supervised administration;
  (2) If the decedent’s will directs unsupervised administration, but for good cause shown the Court finds that supervised administration is necessary for the protection of persons interested in the estate; or
  (3) In other cases where, for good cause shown, the Court finds that supervised administration is necessary under the circumstances which the Court shall specify.
(b) In no event shall the appointment of a personal representative be delayed pending the Court’s decision pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Thus, whenever the Court must make a decision under subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section, the Court shall appoint the personal representative in unsupervised administration; thereafter, an Order for supervised administration shall convert the proceeding to supervised administration.
D.C. Code § 20-714 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-714
§ 20-714. Revision of inventory.
Status: in_force

Whether the administration is or is not supervised, any interested person may, at any time before the estate is closed, petition the Court for revision of any value assigned to any item in the inventory and for inclusion or exclusion of any item erroneously omitted or listed in the inventory. After due notice and hearing, the Court may require such revision as it deems appropriate.
D.C. Code § 20-321 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-321
§ 20-321. Nature of proceeding.
Status: in_force

A formal probate proceeding is a proceeding for the probate of a will or a determination of the decedent’s intestacy, particularly when due execution of a will cannot be presumed under section 20-312  , and for the appointment of a personal representative. This proceeding is instituted when an interested person or creditor files a petition for a formal probate proceeding with the Court in accordance with the provisions of section 20-304  ; and the filing of a complaint shall not be required for these purposes. This proceeding is conducted after notice as provided in section 20-323  . If no petition for abbreviated or formal probate is filed within a reasonable time, the Register, with the approval of the Court, may file a petition for formal probate.
D.C. Code § 20-352 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-352
§ 20-352. Petition.
Status: in_force

Any person eligible for appointment as the personal representative of an estate pursuant to section 20-303   may file a verified petition for administration of a small estate. Such petition shall contain, in addition to the information required by section 20-304  :
(a) A statement that the petitioner has made a diligent search to discover all property and debts of the decedent;
(b) A list of the known creditors of the decedent, with the amount of each claim, including contingent and disputed claim; and
(c) A statement of any legal proceedings pending in which the decedent was a party.
D.C. Code § 20-302 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-302
§ 20-302. Necessity for probate.
Status: in_force

(a) A will is ineffective to transfer property or to nominate a personal representative unless it is admitted to probate or recorded as provided in section 20-341 (b).
(b) Except for foreign personal representatives, no person shall exercise the powers or assume the duties of a personal representative unless he has been appointed by the Court.
D.C. Code § 20-1108 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 11 / § 20-1108
§ 20-1108. Certain formula clauses to be construed to refer to federal estate and generation-skipping transfer tax rules applicable to estates of decedents dying on December 31, 2009.
Status: in_force

(a) (1) A will or trust of a decedent who dies after December 31, 2009 and before January 1, 2011, that contains a formula referring to the “unified credit,” “estate tax exemption,” “applicable exemption amount,” “applicable credit amount,” “applicable exclusion amount,” “generation-skipping transfer tax exemption,” “GST exemption,” “marital deduction,” “maximum marital deduction,” or “unlimited marital deduction,” or that measures a share of an estate or trust based on the amount that can pass free of Federal estate taxes or the amount that can pass free of Federal generation-skipping transfer taxes, or that is otherwise based on a similar provision of Federal estate tax or generation-skipping transfer tax law, shall be deemed to refer to the Federal estate and generation-skipping transfer tax laws as they applied with respect to estates of decedents dying on December 31, 2009.
  (2) This subsection shall not apply with respect to a will or trust that is executed or amended after December 31, 2009, or that manifests an intent that a contrary rule shall apply if the decedent dies on a date on which there is no then-applicable Federal estate or generation-skipping transfer tax.
  (3) The reference to January 1, 2011 in this subsection shall, if the Federal estate and generation-skipping transfer tax becomes effective before that date, refer instead to the first date on which the tax shall become legally effective.
(b) The personal representative or any affected beneficiary under the will or other instrument may bring a proceeding to determine whether the decedent intended that the references under subsection (a) of this section be construed with respect to the law as it existed after December 31, 2009. The proceeding shall be commenced within 12 months following the death of the testator or grantor, and not thereafter.
D.C. Code § 20-531 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-531
§ 20-531. Appointment; qualifications.
Status: in_force

(a) Appointment. — Upon the filing of a petition by an interested party, a creditor, or the Register, or upon the motion of the Court, the Court may appoint a special administrator: (1) when the appointment is necessary to protect property prior to the appointment and qualification of a personal representative; or (2) upon the termination of appointment of a personal representative and prior to the appointment of a successor personal representative.
(b) Qualifications. — The Court may appoint any suitable person as a special administrator. In making such appointment, the Court shall give special consideration to any person who is likely to be appointed as the personal representative in accordance with section 20-303 and who is immediately available for appointment.
D.C. Code § 20-903 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-903
§ 20-903. Limitation on presentation of claims against the estate.
Status: in_force

(a) Requirement of presentation; time; limitation. — Except as otherwise expressly provided by statute with respect to claims of the United States and the District of Columbia, (1) all claims against a decedent’s estate, whether due or to become due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, founded on contract or other legal basis, shall be barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the heirs and legatees, unless presented within 6 months after the date of the first publication of notice of the appointment of a personal representative; and (2) all claims against the estate based on the conduct of or a contract with a personal representative shall be barred unless an action is commenced against the estate within 6 months of the date the claim arose.
(b) Liens not affected. — Nothing in this section shall affect or prevent any action or proceeding to enforce any mortgage, pledge, judgment, or other recorded or otherwise perfected security interest on property of the estate.
(c) Action instituted before death. — Nothing in this section shall affect any action that was commenced against the decedent if the decedent had been duly served with process before death; provided, however, that the personal representative shall not be personally liable on account of having paid a claim or distributed assets, without taking into consideration claims prosecuted in accordance with this subsection if, at the time of payment or distribution (1) the personal representative had no actual knowledge of such claim, and (2) the claimant had not timely presented such claim in accordance with section 20-905.
(d) Claims covered by insurance. — Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no claim that survives death shall be barred if: (1) the claimant commences an action against the estate within the period of limitations generally applicable to such causes of action; (2) the decedent was covered by a liability insurance policy at the time of the occurrence on which the claim is based; and (3) the subject matter of the claim is within the scope of that policy; provided, that in that cause of action recovery shall be limited to amounts payable under such liability insurance policy.
D.C. Code § 20-351 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-351
§ 20-351. General.
Status: in_force

If the property of a decedent subject to administration in the District of Columbia has a value of $80,000 or less, the property may be administered as a small estate in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.
D.C. Code § 20-741 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-741
§ 20-741. General powers.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise validly limited by the will, this title, or by an order of Court made in accordance with this title, a personal representative may, in addition to any power or authority contained in the will and any other common-law or statutory power, properly:
(1) take possession of and hold assets owned by the decedent pending distribution or liquidation, including those in which the representative is personally interested or which are otherwise improper for trust investment;
(2) receive assets from fiduciaries or other sources;
(3) perform the decedent’s contracts that continue as obligations of the estate, and execute and deliver such deeds or other documents under such circumstances as the contract may provide, unless the personal representative personally is a party by the terms of the contract;
(4) satisfy written charitable pledges of the decedent, which by their terms survive the death of the decedent;
(5) deposit funds for the account of the estate, including moneys received from the sale of other assets, in federally insured checking accounts, in federally insured interest-bearing accounts or in federally insured short-term loan arrangements, or in accounts or short-term investment trusts administered pursuant to, or in compliance with, the regulations of the United States Comptroller of the Currency, or at the request of the personal representative, agree to deposit any of the assets of the estate with any financial institution in such a manner that the assets cannot be withdrawn or transferred without (A) the written consent of the surety on the bonds or (B) an order of Court; deposits under this subsection shall be made in financial institutions within the District of Columbia or in any state that permits personal representatives to make deposits in the District of Columbia;
(6) acquire or dispose of property, real or personal, including land in this or another jurisdiction, for cash or on credit, at public or private sale; and manage, develop, improve, exchange, partition, change the character of, or abandon an estate asset;
(7) make ordinary or extraordinary repairs or alterations in buildings or other structures, demolish any improvements, raze existing, or erect new, party walls or buildings;
(8) subdivide, develop or dedicate land to public use; make or obtain the vacation of plats and adjust boundaries; adjust differences in valuation on exchange or partition by giving or receiving consideration; or dedicate easements to public use without consideration;
(9) enter for any purpose into a lease as lessor or lessee, with or without the option to purchase or renew, for a term within or extending beyond the period of administration;
(10) vote stocks or other securities in person or by general or limited proxy;
(11) hold a security in bearer form or in the name of a nominee, but, in such case, the personal representative shall be liable for any act of the nominee in connection with the security so held;
(12) obtain insurance to protect the property of the estate against damage, loss, and liability, and to protect the personal representative against liability to third persons;
(13) effect a fair and reasonable compromise with any creditor or obligee;
(14) pay taxes, assessments, and compensation of the personal representative, and other expenses incident to the administration of the estate;
(15) sell or exercise stock subscription, conversion or option rights; consent to or oppose, directly or through a committee or other agent, the reorganization, consolidation, merger, dissolution, or liquidation of a corporation or other business enterprise;
(16) pay the decedent’s funeral expenses including the cost of burial space and a suitable tombstone or marker, not exceeding $15,000, except as provided in sections 20-906 and 20-907;
(17) employ, for reasonable compensation, accountants, auditors, investment or financial advisors, attorneys, appraisers, brokers, or other persons with special skills to advise or assist the personal representative in the performance of such representative’s administrative duties, and to pay them reasonable compensation and reimbursement for costs incurred;
(18) prosecute or defend or submit to arbitration actions, claims, or proceedings in any appropriate jurisdiction for the benefit of the estate, including the commencement of any personal action that the decedent might have commenced, or to compromise, arbitrate, settle, or otherwise adjust any claims, charges, debts, or demands against or in favor of the estate;
(19) continue unincorporated businesses or ventures in which the decedent was engaged at the time of death (A) in the same business form for a period of not more than 4 months after the representative’s appointment if continuation is a reasonable means of preserving the value of the business, including goodwill; provided, that the personal representative shall file a bimonthly statement of income and expenses and a balance sheet with the Register; and (B) throughout the period of administration if the business is incorporated after the death of the decedent in accordance with paragraph (20) of this section;
(20) incorporate businesses or ventures in which the decedent was engaged at the time of death if none of the probable distributees of the business who are competent adults object to its incorporation and retention in the estate;
(21) exercise options, rights, and privileges contained in any life insurance policy, annuity, or endorsement contract constituting property of the estate, including the right to obtain the cash surrender value, convert any such policy to any other type of policy, revoke any mode of settlement, and pay any part or all of the premiums on any such policy or contract;
(22) pay valid claims and distribute the estate as provided in this title;
(23) release or terminate mortgages or security interests, if the obligation secured by the mortgage or security interest was fully satisfied during the decedent’s lifetime or during the administration of the estate;
(24) make partial distributions, in cash, in kind, or both, from time to time during the administration;
(25) invest in any real or personal property of the estate; lease, exchange, grant options to purchase, or sell any real or personal property of the estate (except property specifically devised or bequeathed under the will), at public or private sale, for cash or on credit, with or without security; and borrow money for the purpose of protecting real or personal property (and pledge property as security for such loan);
(26) terminate, sublet, or assign a leasehold estate of the decedent which was the decedent’s actual residence;
(27) designate the personal representative on any document as an executor, if the decedent died testate, or as an administrator, if the decedent died intestate;
(28) continue any unincorporated businesses or ventures in which the decedent was engaged at the time of his or her death (A) in the same business form for a period of not more than 4 months from the date of appointment of the personal representative if continuation is a reasonable means of preserving the value of the business, including good will; (B) in the same business form for any additional period of time that may be approved by order of the Court after notice to the interested persons; or (C) throughout the period of administration if the business is incorporated after decedent’s death in accordance with paragraph (20) of this section; and
(29) provide for exoneration of the personal representative from personal liability in any contract entered into on behalf of the estate.
D.C. Code § 20-1301 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 13 / § 20-1301
§ 20-1301. Termination of appointment.
Status: in_force

(a) Supervised administration. — The approval of the final account shall automatically close the estate, and if the final account so requests and the Court approves, shall terminate the appointment of the personal representative. If the appointment is not terminated by the final account, a supervised personal representative may later petition the Court for an order terminating the appointment. The personal representative shall mail or deliver notice of such petition to all residuary legatees, if the decedent died testate, or heirs, if the decedent died intestate, and to any creditors who have presented their claims but not been paid in full. The Court may hold a hearing on the petition if any person receiving notice files, within 20 days of the mailing of such notice, a written request for a hearing with the Court. After a hearing or, if no hearing is requested, after the expiration of the 20 days, the Court may enter an order terminating the appointment of the personal representative.
(b) Unsupervised administration; closing the estate. — Unless otherwise provided by an order of the Court for good cause shown in a particular case, an estate administered in an unsupervised administration shall be closed in one of 2 ways: (A) by the personal representative’s filing with the Court a Certificate of Completion as described in section 20-735, and the appointment of the personal representative shall thereby be terminated if so elected by the personal representative in the Certificate of Completion; or (B) if no Certificate of Completion is filed, then by the termination of the appointment of the personal representative as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(c) Unsupervised administration; automatic termination of appointment. — If no Certificate of Completion is filed by a personal representative in an unsupervised administration, then the appointment of the personal representative shall terminate automatically on the date which is 3 years after the appointment of the personal representative, or on the later expiration of any extension of the appointment granted by the Court. Specifically, the Court shall extend the appointment for an additional 12 months upon the written request of the personal representative; there shall be no limit on the number of extensions granted.
(d) Neither the closing of the estate nor the termination of the personal representative’s appointment shall prohibit the personal representative from thereafter performing whatever final administrative actions may be necessary to complete the affairs of the estate.
D.C. Code § 20-715 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-715
§ 20-715. Inventory of successor personal representative.
Status: in_force

Except as provided in section 20-731  , within 3 months of appointment, a supervised successor personal representative shall either file a new inventory to replace the inventory filed by a previous personal representative or file a written consent to the items as listed and valued in such previous inventory.
D.C. Code § 20-527 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-527
§ 20-527. Termination; change in proceeding.
Status: in_force

Upon a timely request for formal probate, a personal representative previously appointed shall have only the powers and duties of a special administrator until the appointment of a personal representative in the formal probate proceeding, subject to any order in the formal probate proceeding. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the reappointment of a person who was previously appointed in an abbreviated probate proceeding or a small estates proceeding.
D.C. Code § 20-502 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-502
§ 20-502. Bond; form.
Status: in_force

(a) When required. — Unless excused from giving bond by the decedent’s will or written waiver of all interested persons, each personal representative shall execute a bond to the District of Columbia for the benefit of interested persons and creditors with a surety or sureties approved by the Court. Whenever a personal representative is excused from giving a bond by the decedent’s will, or by the written waiver of 1 or more interested persons, no bond shall be given (except as provided below). In the absence of a waiver by the testator, the interest of any interested person who does not waive bond shall be protected but no waiver of bond shall be permitted on behalf of a person who is not a competent adult except as provided in section 20-101(d)(2)(C).
(a-1) Demand for bond. — Any person having an interest in the estate worth in excess of $1,000, or any creditor having a claim in excess of $1,000, may make a written demand that a personal representative give bond in an amount not exceeding the value of the person’s or creditor’s interest in the estate. The demand must be filed with the Register and a copy mailed to the personal representative, if appointment and qualification have occurred. Upon a request for bond, the Court may set a hearing to determine if bond is required.
(b) When not required. — (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), no bond shall be required of banks and trust companies authorized under District of Columbia laws to act as personal representatives and national banks, except as otherwise provided by law or Court Rule.
  (2) No bond shall be required for any period following the distribution of all known assets and satisfaction of all known claims.
(c) Surety. — The surety on any bond required by subsection (a) may be any corporation authorized to act as a surety in the District of Columbia. All sureties and the personal representative shall be jointly and severally liable on the bond, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
(d) Penalty. — (1) The penalty sum of any bond required by subsection (a) shall be fixed by the Court in an amount not exceeding the probable maximum value of the personal and D.C. real property of the estate at any time during administration.
  (2) Repealed.
  (3) The Court may permit the penalty sum of the bond to be reduced by the amount of cash belonging to the estate that is deposited with a bank, trust company, savings and loan association, building association, building and loan association, or federal savings and loan association approved by the Court in an account expressly made subject to withdrawal only in a manner that is approved by the Court.
  (3A) The Court may permit the penalty sum of the bond to be reduced by the value of any real or personal property which, at the request of the personal representative or pursuant to Court Order upon good cause shown, cannot be sold or distributed without prior Court authorization.
  (4) The penalty sum may be increased or decreased by the Court at its discretion for good cause at any time during administration.
(e) Filing; certified copy. — Every bond executed by a personal representative shall be filed in the office of the Register. Any person may obtain from the Register a certified copy of such bond.
(f) Premium payable out of estate. — Bond premiums shall be chargeable against the property of the estate.
(g) Form of bond. — A bond shall be in the form prescribed by the Rules.
D.C. Code § 20-524 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-524
§ 20-524. Termination; death or disability.
Status: in_force

The appointment of a personal representative shall be terminated by his death or by a judicial determination of his disability. Upon the death or a judicial determination of disability of a personal representative, any interested person (including a person indicated in the decedent’s will as the successor personal representative to the personal representative who is deceased or has been determined to have a disability) may apply to the court for the appointment of a special administrator or successor personal representative. Unless there is a surviving copersonal representative, the personal representative of a deceased personal representative or the person appointed to protect the estate of a personal representative under legal disability shall: (a) have the duty to protect property belonging to the estate that was being administered by the personal representative who is deceased or has been determined to have a disability; (b) have the power to perform acts necessary for the protection of property of such estate; (c) immediately apply to the Court for the appointment of a special administrator or successor personal representative to carry on the administration of the estate which was being administered by the personal representative who is deceased or has been determined to have a disability; and (d) immediately account for and deliver the property of such estate to a successor personal representative or special administrator. If the personal representative of a deceased personal representative or the person appointed to protect the estate of a personal representative under legal disability fails to account to and deliver the property belonging to the estate as required by this section, the Court may enter judgment against the estate of the personal representative who is deceased or has been determined to have a disability and the surety of the personal representative who is deceased or has been determined to have a disability.
D.C. Code § 20-406 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 4 / § 20-406
§ 20-406. Unsupervised personal representative.
Status: in_force

A personal representative appointed without court supervision having been ordered, and any other personal representative except during any period for which court supervision has been ordered, is not subject to continuing court supervision except as provided in section 20-107   or otherwise in this title, and is not subject to sections of this title applicable only to supervised personal representatives or estates.
D.C. Code § 20-401 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 4 / § 20-401
§ 20-401. Supervised administration; in general.
Status: in_force

(a) Supervised administration is a single in rem proceeding to secure complete administration and settlement of a decedent’s estate under the continuing authority of the Court which extends until entry of an order approving distribution of the estate and discharging the personal representative or other order terminating the proceeding. A supervised personal representative is responsible to the Court, as well as to the interested parties, and is subject to directions concerning the estate made by the Court on its own motion or on the motion of any interested party. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, or as otherwise ordered by the Court, a supervised personal representative has the same duties and powers as a personal representative who is not supervised.
(b) Unsupervised administration differs from supervised administration only in the following ways: in an unsupervised administration, the personal representative is not required to file any inventories or accounts with the Court, is not subject to provisions of this title which expressly apply only to a personal representative in a supervised administration, and, in general, is subject only to any order of the Court rendered upon a failure to satisfy filing requirements imposed by this title or a finding of good cause after a narrow issue or question has been brought to the Court’s attention by either the personal representative or an interested person, but otherwise is not subject to continuing Court supervision.
D.C. Code § 20-911 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-911
§ 20-911. Claim not yet due.
Status: in_force

(a) If an unsecured claim which has been proven and which will become due at a future time or a contingent or unliquidated claim becomes due or certain before the distribution of the estate, and if the claim has been allowed or established by a proceeding, it is paid in the same manner as presently due and absolute claims of the same class.
(b) In other cases, the personal representative or, on petition of the personal representative or the claimant in a special proceeding for that purpose, the Court, may provide for payment of a proven unsecured claim as follows:
  (1) if the claimant consents, the claimant may be paid the present value of the claim, taking any uncertainty into account, provided that such present value is determined by arbitration, compromise, or agreement between the claimant and the personal representative; and
  (2) arrangement for future payment, or possible payment, on the happening of the contingency or on liquidation may be made by creating a trust, creating an escrow account, giving a mortgage, obtaining a bond or security from a distributee, or otherwise.
(c) A creditor who holds security for an allowable claim due at some future time may rely on such security under section 20-912 or may file the claim as an unsecured claim not yet due, with the right of withdrawing the claim prior to the taking of any action thereon, and, after such withdrawal, rely on such security rights as provided in section 20-912.
D.C. Code § 20-1105 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 11 / § 20-1105
§ 20-1105. Petition for purpose of distribution.
Status: in_force

When two or more heirs or legatees are entitled to distribution of undivided interests in any property of the estate, the personal representative or one or more of the heirs or legatees may petition the Court, prior to the closing of the estate, to make partition. After notice to the heirs or legatees interested in the property being partitioned, the Court may partition the property, in accordance with the provisions of sections 16-2901   through 16-2925  . The Court may direct the personal representative to sell any property which cannot be partitioned without prejudice to the owners and which cannot conveniently be allotted to any one party.
D.C. Code § 20-1101 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 11 / § 20-1101
§ 20-1101. Renunciation; legatee or heir.
Status: repealed

Repealed.
D.C. Code § 20-711 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-711
§ 20-711. Inventory; general.
Status: in_force

(a) Subject to the provisions of section 20-715, a personal representative shall, within 3 months of appointment, prepare a verified inventory of property owned by the decedent at the time of his death. The inventory shall list each item of property, describe each item of property in reasonable detail, indicate the fair market value of each item of property on the date of the decedent’s death, and indicate the type and amount of the encumbrances if any, for each item of property. The personal representative shall include the following items in the inventory of property:
  (1) real property;
  (2) tangible personal property, excluding (A) wearing apparel, other than furs and jewelry, and (B) food for consumption by the family, and (C) family pictures, and (D) family Bibles;
  (3) corporate stocks;
  (4) debts owed to the decedent, including bonds and notes;
  (5) bank accounts, building association shares, savings and loan association accounts, and money;
  (6) debts owed to the decedent by the personal representative; and
  (7) any other interest in property, tangible or intangible, that passes by the terms of a valid will or the law of intestate succession.
(b) If the administration is supervised as provided in section 20-401 et seq., and except as provided in section 20-731, the personal representative shall file with the Court the verified inventory with a certificate that there has been mailed or delivered to all interested persons, within the previous 15 days, a copy of the inventory with a notice that the inventory will be filed on or before a stated date. If the administration is not supervised, section 20-713.01 controls.
D.C. Code § 20-405 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 4 / § 20-405
§ 20-405. Supervised administration; interim orders; distribution and closing orders.
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, supervised administration is terminated by order in accordance with the provisions of section 20-1301  . Interim orders granting other relief may be issued by the Court at any time during the pendency of a supervised administration on the application of the personal representative or any interested person.
D.C. Code § 20-324 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-324
§ 20-324. Action on petition.
Status: in_force

In a formal probate proceeding:
(1) Proof of due execution shall be made by affidavit of the witnesses as provided in paragraph (3) of this section unless the Court orders otherwise.
(2) After proof of due execution, the Court shall enter an order admitting the will to probate or determining that the decedent died intestate. At this time, the Court shall also appoint or reappoint one or more personal representatives, may order that the administration will be supervised as provided in section 20-402, and, if appropriate, revoke, modify, or confirm any action taken at any prior abbreviated probate, small estates or formal probate proceeding.
(3) Affidavits of due execution shall be in substantially the following form:
On this _____ day of __________ 19 ___, _______________ personally appeared and, under oath answered the following questions as follows:
1. Were you one of the witnesses who signed the attached written document which is dated ____________ and is said to be the last will and testament of __________ of the District of Columbia who is now dead? (Please initial appropriate box.)
____ Yes ____ No
2. Did  sign the attached document while
(the testator)
in your presence?
____ Yes ____ No
3. Did  say the attached document was to be a
(the testator)
part of his will?
____ Yes ____ No
4. At the time he signed the attached document, did __________
(the testator)
seem to you to be of sound mind and aware of what he was doing?
____ Yes ____ No
5. Did  ask you to sign the attached document
(the testator)
as a witness?
____ Yes ____ No
6. When you signed the attached document as a witness, were
(the testator)
and all of the other witnesses who signed the document present?
____ Yes ____ No
7. Were you present when each of the other witnesses signed the attached document?
____ Yes ____ No
8. Did  ask the other people who signed the
(the testator)
attached document to do so as witnesses?
____ Yes ____ No
9. Was  present when each of the witnesses signed
(the testator)
the attached document?
____ Yes ____ No
10. What is your date of birth? __________
11. Do you know of any will or codicil of __________ other than the
(the testator)
attached document?
____ Yes ____ No
D.C. Code § 20-322 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-322
§ 20-322. When mandatory.
Status: in_force

A proceeding for formal probate shall be instituted:
(a) if, at any time before abbreviated probate,
  (1) an interested person or creditor makes a request; or
  (2) it appears to the Court that the petition for abbreviated probate is materially incomplete or incorrect in any respect; or
(b) in accordance with the provisions of section 20-331.
D.C. Code § 20-501 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-501
§ 20-501. Conditions of appointment.
Status: in_force

As a condition to appointment, a personal representative, whether in a supervised or unsupervised administration, shall file (a) a statement of acceptance of the duties of the office, (b) any required bond, and (c) a written consent to personal jurisdiction in any action brought in the District of Columbia against such personal representative, where service of process is effected pursuant to the rules of the Court at such representative’s address shown in the proceedings or, in the case of a nonresident personal representative, pursuant to the provisions of section 20-303(b)(7)  .
D.C. Code § 20-360 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-360
§ 20-360. Definitions.
Status: in_force

(a) For the purposes of this subchapter , the term:
  (1) "Designated successor" means one who shall have a fiduciary duty to safeguard and promptly pay or deliver the small asset as required by District law.
  (2) "Person" means any individual, corporation, business trust, fiduciary, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity.
  (3) "Small asset" means any indebtedness owed to or any asset belonging or presently distributable to the decedent, other than real property. The term "small asset" includes any bank account, savings institution account, credit union account, brokerage account, security, deposit, tax refund, overpayment, item of tangible personal property, or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in action.
  (4) "Successor" means any person, other than a creditor, who is entitled under the decedent's will or the laws of intestacy to part or all of a small asset.
D.C. Code § 20-713.01 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-713.01
§ 20-713.01. Unsupervised administration; inventory and appraisal duties of unsupervised personal representative.
Status: in_force

(a) If the administration is unsupervised, the personal representative, if not a special administrator or a successor to another representative who has previously discharged this duty, shall, within 3 months after appointment, prepare and deliver or mail to each interested person an inventory of property owned by the decedent at the time of death, listing each item of such property with reasonable detail, and indicating as to each listed item, its fair market value as of the date of the decedent’s death, and the type and amount of any encumbrance that may exist with reference to any item.
(b) The personal representative may also file the verified original of the inventory for record with the Court.
(c) The personal representative may use the standing appraisers or may employ any other qualified and disinterested appraiser to assist in ascertaining the fair market value as of the date of the decedent’s death of any asset the value of which may be subject to reasonable doubt. Different persons may be employed to appraise different kinds of assets included in the estate. The names and addresses of any appraiser shall be indicated on the inventory with the item or items appraised.
(d) If any property not included in the original inventory comes to the knowledge of a personal representative or if the personal representative learns that the value or description indicated in the original inventory for any item is erroneous or misleading, the personal representative shall make a supplementary inventory or appraisement showing the market value as of the date of the decedent’s death of the new item or the revised market value or descriptions, and the appraisers or other data relied upon, if any, and file it with the Court if the original inventory was filed, and mail or deliver copies thereof to the interested persons.
D.C. Code § 20-703 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-703
§ 20-703. Preferences; sale of estate property.
Status: in_force

Any interested person may move the Court to have a priority placed on the sale or transfer of any property of the estate, both real and personal, prior to the sale or transfer of that property. Upon the filing of such a motion, no sale or transfer of such estate property shall be undertaken by the personal representative until (1) all interested persons have been given notice by the personal representative of the motion; and (2) the Court, after a hearing, has determined the order in which certain property in the estate shall be sold or transferred.
D.C. Code § 20-101 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 1 / § 20-101
§ 20-101. Definitions.
Status: in_force

When used in this title, unless otherwise apparent from the context the term:
(a) “Abbreviated probate proceeding” means the type of proceeding defined in section 20-311.
(b) “Court” means the Probate Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
(c) “Heir” means a person entitled to property of an intestate decedent pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 19 .
(d) (1) “Interested person” means (A) any person named in the will to serve as personal representative, until the appointment of a personal representative; (B) a personal representative; (C) any legatee in being, whether such legatee’s interest is vested or contingent, until the legacy is paid in full; (D) an heir, except that an heir ceases to be an interested person once a will has been admitted to probate; provided, that, an heir is an interested person for the purpose of any proceeding to contest the validity of the will and following any determination that the decedent died intestate as to some or all of the estate; and (E) Any creditor of the decedent, including those persons whose rights accrue at the time of death, who has timely presented a claim in excess of $500 that has not been barred or discharged.
  (2) (A) If an interested person, as described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, is legally disabled, the following persons shall also be interested persons unless the Court has appointed a guardian ad litem:
      (i) the judicially appointed guardian, committee or conservator for such person, if any; or
      (ii) if there is no judicially appointed guardian, committee or conservator, then the parent or other person having assumed responsibility for such person, or an attorney-in-fact for such person (subject to the terms of the power of attorney), or any other person with legal authority to act for such person.
    (B) If the Court has appointed a guardian ad litem under section 20-108, the guardian ad litem shall be an interested person.
    (C) Any guardian, guardian ad litem, committee, conservator, parent, attorney-in-fact, or other legal representative of an interested person who is under any legal disability may act on behalf of such interested person in all matters under this title without the need for any specific authorization from any court, except to the extent otherwise prohibited by a court or by the instrument granting and defining the scope of such representative’s powers.
  (3) An heir or legatee whose interest is contingent solely on whether some other heir or legatee survives the decedent or survives by a stated period shall not be an interested person unless and until the other heir or legatee dies within such period.
(e) “Intestate decedent” means a person who dies without leaving a valid will.
(f) “Legacy” means a disposition of property made in a will.
(g) “Legatee” means the surviving spouse of the decedent or a person who, under the terms of a will, would receive a legacy. Legatee includes a trustee of a trust created under or referred to in the decedent’s will but not a beneficiary of the trust unless each trustee is also a petitioning party or acting personal representative.
(h) “Letters” means the official instrument by which a personal representative is appointed by the Court to administer the estate of a decedent.
(i) “Metropolitan area” means Prince Georges County, and Montgomery County, Maryland; Arlington County, Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, the City of Falls Church, and the City of Alexandria, Virginia.
(j) “Personal representative” means a person, other than a special administrator, who has been appointed by the Court to administer the estate of a decedent.
(k) “Probate” means the admission to record of a decedent’s will or the determination of a decedent’s intestacy.
(l) “Property” means both real and personal property and any interest in such property that is owned by the decedent and that does not pass at the time of the decedent’s death to another person by the terms of the instrument under which it is held, or by operation of law.
(m) “Register” means the Register of Wills.
(n) “Residuary legatee” means the person to whom a testate decedent bequeaths the surplus of such decedent’s estate, subject to all debts and other legacies specifically mentioned in the will.
(o) “Rules” means the rules promulgated by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia applicable to the Probate Division of that Court.
(p) “Special administrator” means an administrator appointed as provided in section 20-531.
(q) “Special appraiser” means an appraiser who is not an employee of the Office of the Register.
(r) “Formal probate proceeding” means the type of proceeding defined in section 20-321.
(s) “Standing appraiser” means an appraiser who is an employee of the Office of the Register.
(t) “Testate decedent” means a person who dies leaving a valid will.
(u) “Supervised administration” or “supervised personal representative” means that the administration and the representative have been ordered to be supervised in accordance with this title.
(v) “Unsupervised personal representative” means a personal representative who is not subject to continued court supervision pursuant to this title.
D.C. Code § 20-511 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-511
§ 20-511. Powers and duties of successor personal representative.
Status: in_force

A successor personal representative shall have the same powers and duties as the original personal representative including the powers granted in the will but excluding any power that the will expressly made personal to the personal representative named in the will.
D.C. Code § 20-331 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-331
§ 20-331. Finality of abbreviated and formal probate proceedings.
Status: in_force

(a) An abbreviated probate proceeding shall be set aside if, within 6 months after notice of the appointment of the personal representative pursuant to section 20-704, an interested person makes a request for a formal probate proceeding.
(b) A formal probate proceeding may be reopened if, within 6 months after the notice of appointment of the personal representative pursuant to section 20-704: (1) An interested person makes a request; and (2) the Court finds that:
  (A) the notice provided in section 20-704 was not given to such interested person and such interested person did not have actual notice of the petition for probate;
  (B) there was a material mistake or substantial irregularity in the prior probate proceeding; or
  (C) the proponent of a later offered will, in spite of the exercise of reasonable diligence, was actually unaware of such will’s existence at the time of the prior probate proceeding.
(c) Except as provided in section 20-305 and this section, an abbreviated probate proceeding shall be final and binding as to all interested persons.
D.C. Code § 20-341 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-341
§ 20-341. Requirements.
Status: in_force

(a) A foreign personal representative of a nondomiciliary shall not be required to obtain letters in the District of Columbia for any purpose.
(b) A foreign personal representative administering an estate which has property located in the District of Columbia shall file with the Register a copy of the appointment as personal representative and a copy of the decedent’s will, if any, authenticated pursuant to 28 U.S.C. sec. 1738.
D.C. Code § 20-731 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-731
§ 20-731. Waiver of filing; supervised administration.
Status: in_force

(a) A supervised personal representative shall be excused from filing with the Court the inventories required by sections 20-711 and 20-713, and the accounts required by sections 20-721, 20-722, and 20-723 if each heir or legatee signs a written waiver filed with the Register. A waiver under this section shall state that the heirs or legatees are aware of their right to require the filing of inventories and accounts and of their right to revoke the waiver under subsection (b) of this section. Unless the will specifically provides otherwise, a trustee as legatee may authorize and sign a waiver under this section.
(b) Any heir or legatee, including a trustee as legatee, who has signed a waiver under subsection (a) of this section may require the filing of inventories and accounts as provided in subchapters II and III of this chapter by filing a written demand with the Register within 7 days of sending the final account to interested persons.
(c) If the will waives the filing of inventories and accounts, the supervised personal representative shall similarly be excused from filing with the Court such inventories and accounts. In that event, the Court may order the filing of inventories or accounts only after a hearing and for good cause shown.
D.C. Code § 20-522 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-522
§ 20-522. Termination; general.
Status: in_force

The appointment of a personal representative shall be terminated in accordance with Chapter 13 of this title (Closing the Estate) or by the personal representative’s death, disability, resignation, or removal as provided in sections 20-524   through 20-527  .
D.C. Code § 20-305 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-305
§ 20-305. Complaint to contest the validity of a will.
Status: in_force

Except as provided in section 20-353(b)  , any person may file a verified complaint to contest the validity of a will within 6 months following notice by publication of the appointment or reappointment of a personal representative under section 20-704  . The person filing the complaint shall give notice to all interested persons.
D.C. Code § 20-1102 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 11 / § 20-1102
§ 20-1102. Distribution in kind; valuation; method.
Status: in_force

Subject to the terms of any will and the needs of administration, the personal representative shall distribute the assets of a decedent’s estate in kind to the extent possible through application of the following provisions:
(a) A specific legatee shall receive distribution of the legacy given to such legatee;
(b) Any family allowance, or legacy payable in money may be satisfied by value in kind provided:
  (1) the person entitled to the payment has not demanded payment in cash;
  (2) the property distributed in kind is valued at fair market value as of the date of its distribution; and
  (3) no residuary legatee has requested that the asset in question remain a part of the residue of the estate.
(c) The residuary estate shall be distributed in kind when there is no objection to the proposed distribution and it is practicable to distribute undivided interests. In other cases, residuary property may be converted into cash for distribution.
(c-1) For the purpose of valuation under subsection (b)(2) of this section, securities regularly traded on recognized exchanges, if distributed in kind, are valued at the price for the last sale of like securities traded on the business day prior to distribution, or if there was no sale on that day, at the median between amounts bid and offered at the close of that day. Assets consisting of sums owed the decedent or the estate by solvent debtors as to which there is no known dispute or defense are valued at the sum due with accrued interest or discounted to the date of distribution. For assets which do not have readily ascertainable values, a valuation as of a date not more than 30 days prior to the date of distribution, if otherwise reasonable, controls. For purposes of facilitating distribution, the personal representative may ascertain the value of the assets as of the time of the proposed distribution in any reasonable way, including the employment of qualified appraisers, even if the assets may have been previously appraised.
(d) After the probable claims against the estate are known, the personal representative may mail or deliver a proposal for distribution to all persons who have a right to object to the proposed distribution. The right of any such person to object to the proposed distribution terminates if such person fails to object in writing received by the personal representative within 30 days after mailing or delivery of the proposal.
D.C. Code § 20-913 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-913
§ 20-913. Contingent claim.
Status: repealed

Repealed.
D.C. Code § 20-912 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-912
§ 20-912. Secured claim.
Status: in_force

(a) A creditor having a secured claim who surrenders the security shall be paid on the basis of the full amount of the claim.
(b) A creditor having a secured claim who does not surrender the security shall be paid on the basis of one of the following:
  (1) the full amount of the claim allowed less the amount realized upon exhausting the security, if the creditor, during the course of administration, exhausted the security before receiving payment; or
  (2) the full amount of the claim allowed, less the value of the security determined by agreement or by the Court, if the creditor did not exhaust, or did not at the time have the right to exhaust, such security.
D.C. Code § 20-504 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-504
§ 20-504. Form of letters.
Status: in_force

Letters of administration shall be in substantially the following form:
LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION
To all persons who may be interested in the estate of _______________, deceased:
Administration of the estate of the deceased has been granted on _________ to _________ (and the will of the deceased was probated on ______________________). This administration (is) (is not) (strike the inapplicable language) subject to continuing supervision of the Court. The powers of the personal representative (are not limited) (are limited as follows: _________ ). The appointment is in full force and effect as of this date.
(SEAL)
Witness:
Dated:
Register of Wills.
D.C. Code § 20-726 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-726
§ 20-726. Exceptions to account; supervised administration.
Status: in_force

Any interested person may file an exception to an account with the Register within 30 days of the filing of the account. Such person shall mail a copy of the exception to the personal representative.
D.C. Code § 20-107 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 1 / § 20-107
§ 20-107. Right to seek Court resolution.
Status: in_force

(a) An interested person, the beneficiary of a trust, or the Register may, at any time, petition the Court for an order, following notice to interested persons and with or without a hearing, to resolve a question or controversy arising in the course of a supervised or unsupervised administration of a decedent’s estate.
(b) Any interested person in an unsupervised administration, any unpaid creditor of either the decedent or the estate whose claim is not barred, and the personal representative, may request Court action or assistance in connection with any specific issue related to the administration of the estate. Upon receiving such request, if the Court determines a hearing is necessary, the Court shall notify the personal representative and set a hearing on the matter (unless waived by all interested persons); the personal representative shall certify to the Court that the personal representative has given notice of the hearing to the interested persons, by certified mail or personal delivery at least 10 days prior to the hearing.
(c) Any request filed by an interested person, including any pleading described in this title as a petition, need not be in any particular format. It will be sufficient for the purpose intended as long as it is in writing and specifically identifies the particular issue or concern which the interested person wishes the Court to review or resolve.
D.C. Code § 20-108 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 1 / § 20-108
§ 20-108. Appointment of guardian ad litem.
Status: in_force

If it appears to the Court that there is an apparent conflict between an interested person under a legal disability and a person described in section 20-101(d)(2)(A)  , the Court may, in its discretion, appoint a guardian ad litem for the person with a legal disability.
D.C. Code § 20-722 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-722
§ 20-722. Initial account; supervised administration.
Status: in_force

A supervised personal representative’s initial account of the administration of the decedent’s property shall contain:
(a) the total value of property as shown in all inventories made prior to the date of the account;
(b) all receipts of the estate made prior to the date of the account;
(c) each purchase, sale, lease, transfer, compromise, settlement, disbursement and distribution of assets of the estate, a description of each such transaction, and a statement of the amount by which it affects the amounts referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b); and
(d) the value of any remaining assets in the possession or control of the personal representative.
D.C. Code § 20-908 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-908
§ 20-908. Action on claims; remedy for failure to act.
Status: in_force

(a) For claims presented as provided in section 20-905 within the time limit prescribed by section 20-903, the personal representative shall mail a notice to each claimant stating (1) that the claim has been allowed in a stated amount; (2) that the claim has been disallowed in whole or in part and advising the claimant of the procedures and time limitations for contesting such disallowance; or (3) that the personal representative will petition the Court to determine whether the claim should be allowed. In allowing a claim, the personal representative may deduct any counterclaim that the estate has against the claimant. If the personal representative notifies a claimant of allowance of a claim, the personal representative may rescind the allowance only within 6 months after the date of the first publication of notice of the appointment of a personal representative, but, in such case the personal representative shall notify the claimant of the extent of the recision. If the claim is disallowed in whole or in part, the claim is forever barred to the extent of the disallowance unless the claimant files a verified complaint in the Court, not later than 60 days after the mailing of the notice disallowing the claim.
(b) If no action is taken by the personal representative under subsection (a) of this section, the claimant may file a verified complaint in the Court.
(c) Failure of a personal representative to respond to a presented claim shall in no way suspend the operation of any statute of limitation.
D.C. Code § 20-526 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-526
§ 20-526. Termination; removal.
Status: in_force

(a) Cause for removal. — A personal representative shall be removed from office upon a finding by the Court that such representative: (1) misrepresented material facts in the proceedings leading to the appointment; (2) willfully disregarded an order of the Court; (3) is unable, for any reason, to discharge the duties and powers effectively; (4) has mismanaged property; or (5) has failed, without reasonable excuse, to perform any material duty of such office; provided, that the Court may continue the personal representative in office following a finding in accordance with paragraph (5) if the Court finds that such continuance would be in the best interests of the estate and would not adversely affect the rights of interested persons or creditors.
(b) Hearing. — The Court shall conduct a hearing prior to the removal of a personal representative. Such hearing may be held on the Court’s own motion, on motion of the Register, or on the written petition of any interested person. The Register shall give notice of such hearing to all interested persons and the Court shall conduct the hearing within a reasonable time thereafter. Upon receipt of such notice, the personal representative may exercise only the powers of a special administrator, as provided in by section 20-533.
(c) Appointment of successor. — At the time of removal of a personal representative, the Court shall appoint a successor personal representative or a special administrator.
(d) Duty of removed personal representative. — A personal representative who has been removed from office shall immediately account for and deliver the property belonging to the estate to the successor personal representative or special administrator.
D.C. Code § 20-910 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-910
§ 20-910. Meeting of creditors.
Status: in_force

A personal representative may convene, on a day designated by the Court, a meeting of all creditors whose claims have been duly presented pursuant to section 20-905  . The personal representative shall give written notice to all such creditors of the time, date, place and purpose of the meeting which shall be held not less than 10 days from the date of the notice. The Court shall deny or approve any claim in whole or in part at the meeting. The payment of any claim as approved by Court order shall hold harmless the personal representative acting in obedience to it, subject to any perfected appeal.
D.C. Code § 20-1103 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 11 / § 20-1103
§ 20-1103. Distribution in kind; assignment, transfer and release of property.
Status: in_force

If distribution in kind is made, the personal representative shall, upon the request of the distributee, execute and deliver an instrument of distribution assigning, transferring, or releasing property to the distributee as evidence of the distributee’s title to the property. Distribution of real property may be effected by quit claim deed. The personal representative shall pay all costs of deed recordation as a cost of administration of the estate. In addition to any other indexing, a deed distributed under this section shall be recorded among the land records as required by law and shall be indexed in the grantor index under the decedent’s name.
D.C. Code § 20-732 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-732
§ 20-732. Waiver of formal Court audit; supervised administration.
Status: in_force

(a) A supervised personal representative shall be excused from a formal Court audit of the accounts required by sections 20-721, 20-722, and 20-723 if authorized by written waiver signed by each heir or legatee and filed with the Register. A waiver under this section shall state that the heirs or legatees are aware of their right to require a formal Court audit of accounts and of their right to revoke the waiver under subsection (c) of this section. Unless the will specifically provides otherwise, a trustee as legatee may authorize and sign a waiver under this section.
(b) Upon the filing of a waiver under this section, the Court shall conduct a cursory review to determine if the accounts appear regular on their face and are supported by reasonable documentation.
(c) Any heir or legatee, including a trustee as legatee, who has signed a waiver under subsection (a) of this section, may require a formal Court audit of accounts by filing a written demand with the Register within 20 days of the approval of the final account under section 20-1301.
D.C. Code § 20-521 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-521
§ 20-521. Restraining acts of personal representatives.
Status: in_force

(a) On the petition of any interested person, the Court by temporary order and for good cause shown may restrain a supervised personal representative from performing specified acts of administration, disbursement, or distribution, or exercising any powers or discharging any duties of such office, or make any other order to secure proper performance of the supervised personal representative’s duty, if it appears to the Court that the supervised personal representative otherwise may take some action which would unreasonably jeopardize the interest of the petitioner. Persons with whom the supervised personal representative may transact business may be made parties.
(b) The matter shall be set for hearing within 10 days unless the parties otherwise agree. Notice as the Court directs shall be given to the supervised personal representative and his attorney of record, if any, and to any other parties named defendant in the petition.
D.C. Code § 20-701.01 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-701.01
§ 20-701.01. Personal representative to proceed without court order; exception.
Status: in_force

(a) A personal representative shall proceed expeditiously with the settlement and distribution of a decedent’s estate and, except as may be otherwise specified or ordered by the Court in a particular proceeding, do so without adjudication, order, or direction of the Court, but the personal representative may invoke the jurisdiction of the Court, in proceedings authorized by this title, to resolve questions concerning the estate or its administration.
(b) Unless the time of distribution is extended by the Court for good cause shown, the supervised personal representative shall distribute all the assets of the estate in such representative’s possession or control within 30 days of the approval of the final account.
D.C. Code § 20-1304 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 13 / § 20-1304
§ 20-1304. Subsequent administration.
Status: in_force

If property is discovered after an estate has been closed and the appointment of the personal representative has been terminated pursuant to section 20-1301  , the Court, upon petition of any interested person and upon such notice as it may direct, may appoint the same or a successor personal representative and make any other appropriate order. Any further proceedings shall be conducted pursuant to the applicable provisions of this title but no claim previously barred may be asserted in the subsequent administration.
D.C. Code § 20-512 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-512
§ 20-512. Copersonal representatives; when joint action required; liability.
Status: in_force

(a) When two or more persons are appointed copersonal representatives, the concurrence of all is required on all acts connected with the administration and distribution of the estate; except, for: (1) giving receipts for or receiving property due the estate; (2) in emergency situations, when all personal representatives cannot reasonably be consulted in the time available; (3) when a personal representative has validly delegated power to act to a copersonal representative; and (4) when the will or a statute provides otherwise.
(b) Persons dealing with a copersonal representative without knowledge that such representative is not the sole personal representative shall be as fully protected as if the person with whom they dealt had been the sole personal representative.
(c) If a personal representative delegates power to act to a copersonal representative, such delegation shall not reduce such representative’s fiduciary responsibility.
D.C. Code § 20-404 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 4 / § 20-404
§ 20-404. Supervised administration; powers of personal representative.
Status: in_force

Unless restricted by the Court for good cause shown, a supervised personal representative has, without any interim order approving exercise of a power, all powers of personal representatives under this title. Any restriction on the power of a personal representative ordered by the Court must be endorsed on the letters of appointment and, unless so endorsed, is ineffective as to persons dealing in good faith with the personal representative.
D.C. Code § 20-301 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-301
§ 20-301. Scope.
Status: in_force

This chapter applies to the opening of an estate which begins with the filing of a petition for probate by an interested person as provided in section 20-304   and results in the probate of a will or the determination of a decedent’s intestacy and the appointment of a personal representative. Probate may occur either:
(a) As an abbreviated probate proceeding as provided in subchapter II of this chapter ;
(b) As a formal probate proceeding as provided in subchapter III of this chapter ;
(c) As a small estates proceeding as provided in subchapter VI of this chapter .
D.C. Code § 20-906 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / § 20-906
§ 20-906. Order of payment.
Status: in_force

(a) If the applicable assets of the estate are insufficient to pay all claims in full, the personal representative shall make payment in the following order:
  (1) Court costs, publication costs, and bond premiums;
  (2) Funeral expenses, not exceeding $5,000;
  (3) Fiduciary and attorney’s fees, not exceeding $1,000;
  (4) The homestead allowance pursuant to section 19-101.02 and the family allowance pursuant to section 19-101.04;
  (5) Exempt property pursuant to section 19-101.03;
  (6) Reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last illness of the decedent, including compensation of persons attending the decedent;
  (7) Claims for rent in arrears for which an attachment might be levied by law;
  (8) Judgment and decrees of courts in the District of Columbia; and
  (9) All other just claims.
(b) No preference shall be given in the payment of any claim over any other claim of the same class, and a claim due and payable shall not be entitled to preference over claims not due.
D.C. Code § 20-736 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-736
§ 20-736. Finality.
Status: in_force

In the absence of fraud, neither the personal representative nor any distributee of estate property shall be liable for any claim, liability, or damage claimed by any interested person (or any person or entity claiming by or through such interested person):
(1) who has received the notice and copy of the final account of the unsupervised personal representative, and not objected to the final account within the 60-day period described in section 20-735(b); an unsupervised personal representative may send such notice and copy of the final account to any one or more creditors of the decedent or of the estate, and any such creditor not so objecting in a timely manner shall be similarly bound; or
(2) who has not filed an exception to the final account of the supervised personal representative within the time and manner prescribed in section 20-726.
D.C. Code § 20-743 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-743
§ 20-743. Improper exercise of power; breach of fiduciary duty.
Status: in_force

If any personal representative’s exercise of power concerning the estate is improper, such representative is liable for breach of fiduciary duty to interested persons for resulting damage or loss to the same extent as a trustee of an express trust. The exercise of power in violation of a Court order, or contrary to the provisions of the will may be a breach of duty. The rights of purchasers and others dealing with a personal representative are determined as provided in section 20-744   and are not necessarily affected by the fact that the personal representative breached a fiduciary duty in the transaction.
D.C. Code § 20-533 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-533
§ 20-533. Powers and duties.
Status: in_force

A special administrator shall have the duty and all powers necessary to collect, manage, and preserve the property, in addition to any other duties and powers authorized by the Court. Upon the appointment of a personal representative, the special administrator shall account for the property of the decedent.
D.C. Code § 20-735 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-735
§ 20-735. Optional proceedings, terminating unsupervised administration; testate or intestate; Certificate of Completion.
Status: in_force

(a) Unless otherwise ordered by the Court for good cause shown in a particular matter, the personal representative in an unsupervised administration shall close the estate by filing with the Court a Certificate of Completion, which shall be verified and in a form prescribed by the Court. Such Certificate may be filed at any time, but in no event prior to the expiration of the time for filing creditors’ claims against the estate.
(b) The Certificate of Completion shall include a statement that:
  (1) the time for the presentation of creditors’ claims has expired;
  (2) all interested persons have been sent a copy of an account and a notice of each one’s right to object within 60 days after such account was sent, and that all claims of that interested person against the personal representative shall be barred unless such an objection is made;
  (3) either each interested person has consented in writing to the account as stated, or there was no written objection within the 60-day period described above;
  (4) distribution has been made in accordance with such account;
  (5) all known claims of creditors which are not barred have been fully satisfied or otherwise settled or, if any claim remains undischarged, whether the personal representative has distributed the estate subject to possible liability with the agreement of the distributees or a detailed explanation of what other arrangements have been made to accommodate all such outstanding liabilities; and
  (6) the personal representative has satisfied all administration expenses and other obligations of the estate incurred or authorized by the personal representative, and has otherwise fully administered the estate.
(c) The Certificate of Completion shall also contain a list containing the name and address of each recipient of the copy of the account and the corresponding notice, as well as a certificate of service confirming that each of those individuals or entities also received a copy of the Certificate of Completion.
(d) Any interested person or other recipient of a copy of the account may object to the account by mailing or delivering to the personal representative or to the Court, within the 60-day period described above, a written statement of his or her objections to the account as stated.
D.C. Code § 20-503 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / § 20-503
§ 20-503. Issuance and content of letters.
Status: in_force

After appointment, letters shall be issued to the personal representative by the Register. Letters shall contain:
(a) the name and address of the Court;
(b) the name of the decedent and the personal representative;
(c) the date of appointment of the personal representative;
(d) the date the will, if any, was admitted to probate;
(e) the signature of the Register and the seal of the Court;
(f) the date the letters were issued; and
(g) whether the administration is supervised or unsupervised and, if supervised, any limitations on the powers of the personal representative.
D.C. Code § 20-742 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-742
§ 20-742. Court order.
Status: in_force

A personal representative may at any time petition the Court for permission to act in any matter relating to the administration of the estate.
D.C. Code § 20-733 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-733
§ 20-733. Right of heir or legatee.
Status: in_force

Nothing shall excuse a personal representative, whether supervised or unsupervised, from the duty to mail or deliver inventories and accounts to each interested person as provided in sections 20-711  , 20-713  , 20-721   and 20-734  .
D.C. Code § 20-403 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 4 / § 20-403
§ 20-403. Supervised administration; changes and effect.
Status: in_force

(a) The filing of signed waivers by all interested persons in accordance with section 20-731 shall be treated for all purposes as a change to unsupervised administration, but the filing of a subsequent demand for the filing of inventories and accounts by any such interested person shall be treated as a change back to supervised administration.
(b) A petition for supervised administration may be filed by any interested person or by a personal representative at any time before the termination of a probate proceeding; similarly, the Court may initiate such a proceeding upon good cause shown. In either event, after notice to interested persons and a hearing (unless the hearing is waived by both the petitioner and the personal representative, or by the interested persons if petitioner is the personal representative), the Court may order supervised administration, applying the same standards as under section 20-402. In no event, however, shall any Court Order be deemed to convert the proceeding to a supervised administration unless the Order expressly so provides. The filing of such petition does not affect any powers and duties of the personal representative unless they are expressly restricted by the Court pending the hearing or final Order.
(c) In the event of a change from one form of administration to another pursuant to this title, such change shall be prospective only. Except in the case of fraud, no action of the personal representative shall be set aside by the Court solely by reason of a change from one form of administration to another.
D.C. Code § 20-701 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-701
§ 20-701. Status and duties of personal representative.
Status: in_force

(a) A personal representative, whether supervised or unsupervised, is a fiduciary who, in addition to the specific duties expressed in this title, is under a general duty to settle and distribute the estate of the decedent in accordance with the terms of the will or laws relating to intestacy and this title, as expeditiously and efficiently as is prudent and consistent with the best interests of the persons interested in the estate. Such representative shall use the authority conferred by this title, by the terms of the will, if any, by any order in proceedings to which such representative is a party, and by the equitable principles generally applicable to fiduciaries, fairly considering the interests of all interested persons and creditors whose claims have been allowed.
(b) A personal representative shall not be surcharged for acts of administration or distribution if the conduct in question was authorized at the time. Subject to other obligations of administration and to special duties applicable in cases of supervised administration, a will probated in abbreviated or formal probate proceedings is authority to administer and distribute the estate according to its terms. An order of appointment of a personal representative, whether issued in abbreviated or formal probate proceedings, is authority to distribute apparently intestate assets to the heirs of the decedent if, at the time of distribution, the personal representative is not aware of a pending probate proceeding, a proceeding to vacate an order entered in an earlier probate proceeding, a proceeding questioning his appointment or fitness to continue, or a supervised administration proceeding. Nothing in this section affects the duty of the personal representative to administer and distribute the estate in accordance with the rights of claimants of an allowed claim, the surviving spouse, any minor and dependent children, and any pretermitted child of the decedent as described elsewhere in this title.
(c) Except as to proceedings which do not survive the death of the decedent, a personal representative of a decedent domiciled in the District of Columbia at his death has the same standing to sue and be sued in the courts of this and any other jurisdiction as the decedent had immediately prior to death.
D.C. Code § 20-725 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-725
§ 20-725. Failure to render account.
Status: in_force

A supervised personal representative may be removed as provided in section 20-527   upon failure to file an account or the accompanying certificate as required by section 20-721  .
D.C. Code § 20-705 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 7 / § 20-705
§ 20-705. Filing revised and corrected documents.
Status: in_force

If a personal representative discovers that any document previously filed or given to interested persons by such representative or by any predecessor personal representative is incomplete or erroneous in any material respect, such representative shall promptly file with the Register or give to the interested persons a revised and corrected document, stating the correct information, if known; provided, however, that statements contained in the petition for probate need not be revised or corrected if the incomplete or erroneous information will be reflected accurately in inventories or accounts later filed with the Register or given to the interested persons.
D.C. Code § 20-303 — DC Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / § 20-303
§ 20-303. Order of priority for appointment of personal representative; persons excluded.
Status: in_force

(a) General. — (1) The Court shall, except as provided in subsections (b) and (d), appoint personal representatives, successor personal representatives, and special administrators according to the following order of priority, with all persons in any one of the following paragraphs considered as a class:
    (A) the personal representative or representatives named in a will admitted to probate;
    (B) the surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children of an intestate decedent or the surviving spouse or domestic partner of a testate decedent;
    (C) the residuary legatees;
    (D) the children of a testate decedent;
    (E) the grandchildren of the decedent;
    (F) the parents of the decedent;
    (G) the brothers and sisters of the decedent;
    (H) the next of kin of the decedent;
    (I) other relations of the decedent;
    (J) the largest creditor of the decedent who applies for administration;
    (K) any other person.
  (2) (A) Relations of whole blood shall be preferred to those of half-blood in equal degree. Relations of half-blood shall be preferred to those of whole blood in a remoter degree.
    (B) Relations descending shall be preferred to relations ascending in a collateral line. A nephew or niece shall be preferred to an uncle or aunt.
    (C) A person may not be preferred in the ascending line beyond a parent or in the descending line below a grandchild.
(b) Exclusions. — Letters shall not be granted to a person who, at the time any determination of priority is made:
  (1) has filed with the Register a declaration in writing renouncing the right to administer;
  (2) is under the age of 18;
  (3) has a mental illness as defined in section 21-501 or is under conservatorship as defined in section 21-1501 [repealed];
  (4) has been convicted and not pardoned on the basis of innocence of a felony in the District of Columbia or of an offense in any other jurisdiction which, if committed in the District of Columbia, would be a felony and the sentence imposed for such conviction has not expired or has expired within the past 10 years;
  (5) is an alien who has not been lawfully admitted for permanent residence;
  (6) is a judge of any court established under the laws of the United States or is an employee of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals or the District of Columbia Court System, unless such person is the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of the decedent or is related to the decedent within the third degree; or
  (7) is a nonresident of the District of Columbia, unless such person files an irrevocable power of attorney with the Register designating the Register and the Register’s successors in office as the person upon whom all notices and process issued by a competent court in the District of Columbia may be served with the same effect as personal service, in relation to all suits or matters pertaining to the estate in which the letters are to be issued; in such cases the Register shall forward by registered or certified mail to the address of the personal representative, which shall be stated in the power of attorney, all notices and process served upon the Register pursuant to such designation.
(c) Appointment within class. — When there are several persons in a class eligible to receive letters, the Court may grant letters to one or more of them, as necessary or convenient for the proper administration of the estate; except that, subject to subsections (b) and (d), all personal representatives named in a will admitted to probate are entitled to letters.
(c-1) Appointment by Nomination. — Subject to subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the heirs of an intestate decedent or the legatees of a testate decedent may nominate by writing a person to act as personal representative. A person may renounce his or her right to nominate, to be nominated, or to be appointed by filing an appropriate writing with the Court. The Register of Wills may prescribe the form by which such nomination shall occur.
(d) Exception. — The Court may, for good cause shown, vary from the order of priority to letters set forth in subsection (a).
(e) Definitions. — For the purposes of this section, the term “domestic partner” shall have the same meaning as provided in § 32-701(3) .