Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-19
PROBATE COURT FEES
PROVISIONS OF BILL INTRODUCED
IN THE HOUSE.
Register Of Wills to Be Allowed Addi-
tional Compensation for Making
Examinations Of Unusual Case.

Representative Hildebrant of Ohio, by re-
quest, has introduced in the House bill
to fix fees and costs in the Probate Court
of the District Of Columbia and to provide
for their collection and payment. The bill
provides a sliding schedule of costs and
fees in cases of administration upon the
estates of intestates. Where the value Of
the personal estate administered does not
exceed $500 no fee shall be charged. Where
the value exceeds. $500 and does not exceed
81 600 the total fees shall be s..
The fees increase according to the value
of the estate to a maximum of 500, where
the personal property exceeds $4,000.
In cases of applications for probate of
wills and settlement of estates Hereunder
the fees shall be based upon the value of
the personal estate of the testator, and
shall be the same as in administra ton
cases. Where real estate in the District
OF Columbia passes under the will there
shall be paid, in addition to the fees re-
cited above, the sum of s. where the value
OF the real estate does not exceed 5000
and $40 where the value exceeds 5000.
The fees for probating copies of wills,
which have been probated in other jurisdic-
lions, and all services in connection there
with, Shall be at the same rate of charge.
Where real estate in the District of Column
bia is sold by an executor or administrator
for the payment of debts or legacies, the
proceeds of such sale shall be included in
the personal estate for the purpose of de-
termining the fees to be charged
Payment at Time of Filing Petition.
In guardianship cases the fees for all
services up to and including the statement
of the first account of the guardian shall be
based upon the value of the entire estate,
real and personal, of the ward in the hands
of the guardian. and shall be at the rate
of one-half the fees provided for in admin
istration cases.
Where letters of guardianship for more
than one infant are applied for and granted
in single proceeding the value of the es-
tate for the purpose of fixing fees shall be
the aggregate value of the property of all
such infants coming into the hands of the
guardian, and in such cases the fees shall
De apporuoned ratably against the estates
OF the several infants. For stating an ac-
count of guardian after the first account
and all services in connection Herewith
the fees shall be one-haIf of 1 per cent Of
me income from the estate of the ward In
the hands or the guardian for the period
covered by such accounting The fee for
stating any such account subsequent to said
hrst account shall not be less than & nor
more than so.
Payment at Time Of Filing Petition.
fees shai De paid at the time of filing pe-
utions The bill provides schedule of fees
Tor furnishing copies of papers It pro-
Vioes 1urther that the probate court shall
nave power to allow to the register of wills
to be accounted for by him as part of the
ices or his office, additional compensation
1or examining or stating, for any fiduciary.
an account requiring more than ordinary
LABOR or care. and also for going to any
place outside OF the court house, at the re-
quest of the parties to perform any official
act.
Fees in litigated cases shall be the same
as are now allowed the clerk of the SUI
preme court of the District of Columbia for
similar services, deposit to cover which
snali' IN the first instance, be made by the
caVeator or contestant
The register Of wills, clerk of the probate
court, snail file annually with the United
states treasury Department an occount
showing all costs and fees collected under
tnis act, and the disbursements thereof. and
turn into the treasury of the United States
any surplus of said costs and fees.
Proceedings may be prosecuted in the pro-
pate court by poor persons in the discre-
ton and upon the order of the Justice hold
ing the probate court, passed upon satis-
FACTORY evidence of inability to make the
required deposit, without making the de-
post prescribed by the bill
The bill has been referred to the commits
tee On the District of Columbia