Probate - General

The Superior Court’s case management system requires a certain docket number sequence. In the Probate Division, the case number format is the four-digit year followed by a space, then the case type abbreviation followed by a space, and then a 6-digit docket number. For example, the first large decedents’ estate case filed in 2014 would be 2014 ADM 000001. A filing will be rejected automatically if the correct format is not used.The Probate Division case types and their abbreviations are as follows:
• ADM (Large Decedents’ Estates)
• SEB (Small Decedents’ Estates)

A person who lives or maintains an office in the District of Columbia can agree to serve as agent by filing the Appointment of Agent to Accept Service of Process form.

When a person’s estate is opened somewhere; when a person’s estate is opened somewhere other than the District of Columbia, but the decedent owned real estate or had personal property, such as a bank account, in the District of Columbia.

Bond is required if the personal representative for the foreign estate wishes to remove, lease, or transfer personal, leasehold or real property located in the District of Columbia within the six-month claim period.

There is no set time.

The cost to open a foreign estate is $45. The cost of a Preliminary Certificate is $10, and the cost of a Final Certificate is $10. Make the payment in cash or by check or money order payable to "Register of Wills."

There is no cost to file a will.

File a petition for appointment of a guardian of the estate of a minor, a bond, consents from the minor’s parents (if they do not both sign the petition for appointment), an order, and a nomination of guardian signed by the minor if the minor is age 14 or older. The Court will review the documents filed and decide whether appointment of a guardian is appropriate and, if so, who to appoint. Both the minor and the proposed guardian must appear at the Probate Division and meet with an Assistant Deputy Register of Wills at the time of the filing of the petition.

Apostille copies of documents from a foreign country must be obtained from that country. You should consult with that country’s embassy in the District of Columbia to obtain a proper apostille. However, if the foreign country is not a party to the Hague Convention, an apostille must be obtained from the United States Embassy located in that foreign country, with a proper English translation when necessary, certified by an appropriately authorized translator as designated by the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Justice.

Anyone can file a petition for the appointment of a guardian of the estate of a minor. However, it is advisable to seek legal assistance if the petition is difficult to understand or the situation is complicated or unusual.