Probate - General

A Guardianship Plan, Report of Guardian, inventory, or account must be filed by the statutory deadline. When any of these documents has not been filed by the statutory deadline, a hearing is scheduled. Once a hearing is scheduled, the guardian or conservator must attend, even if the item is filed, and the Probate Division judges expect the party who filed the item late to be present at the hearing.

If something needs to be done for the ward and the authority to do it is in doubt, review the Findings of Fact or the order of appointment to see if either document specifically allows what needs to be done or specifically prohibits it. If the Findings or the order of appointment do not provide any guidance, review the powers set forth at DC Code, sec. 21-2047 for guidance. If there is still a question about authority to act, consider filing a petition post appointment requesting permission or instructions from the Court.

Five. Additional Letters are available for $1 each.

The Court has the ultimate responsibility for the welfare of each ward. A Report of Guardian must be filed every six months from the date of appointment as guardian so that the Court is kept informed of the ward’s medical status, residence, and general condition for the protection of the ward. The filing of such reports is required by the applicable District of Columbia law and is a condition of appointment as a guardian.

District of Columbia law requires a bond for the protection of the assets of the ward. In general, a conservator must be able to qualify for a bond that covers all the assets of the ward plus one year’s income.

No. Under the law in the District of Columbia, the will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and attested and signed by at least 2 credible witnesses in the presence of the testator.

No.

If you are not authorized to enter the safe deposit box of the decedent, you may petition for the appointment of a special administrator to open the safe deposit box by filing a Petition for Appointment of Special Administrator to Enter Safe Deposit Box and Order.

File a petition for standard probate, and follow the procedure set forth in Superior Court, Probate Division Rule 403(a)(4). See Filing Standard Probate Proceedings in the District of Columbia.

If the Probate Division copies a will for you, it will cost 50¢ per page. If you wish to visit the Probate Division to copy the will yourself, you may do so at the public copier at a cost of 25¢ per page.