Operating Status
ShareThe personal representative is the person appointed by the Court to administer a decedent’s estate. It can be the person nominated in the decedent’s will. If the decedent died without a will, it can be the decedent’s next of kin. In some situations, a creditor of the decedent can be the personal representative.
Wills (WIL) FAQs
Definitions - Who is the personal representative?
Getting Started - Can a will be filed prior to death?
No. A will may be filed only after the death of the person who signed the will.
Getting Started - Can a will be filed prior to death?
No. A will may be filed only after the death of the person who signed the will.
Getting Started - Can a will be filed prior to death?
No. A will may be filed only after the death of the person who signed the will.
Getting Started - Can I retain the original will and file a copy?
No. The original will must be filed with the Probate Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Getting Started - Can I retain the original will and file a copy?
No. The original will must be filed with the Probate Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Getting Started - Can I retain the original will and file a copy?
No. The original will must be filed with the Probate Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Getting Started - Do all wills have to be filed?
Yes. The law requires that a will be filed within 90 days after the death of the testator (i.e., the person who executed or signed the will).
Getting Started - Do all wills have to be filed?
Yes. The law requires that a will be filed within 90 days after the death of the testator (i.e., the person who executed or signed the will).
Getting Started - Do all wills have to be filed?
Yes. The law requires that a will be filed within 90 days after the death of the testator (i.e., the person who executed or signed the will).
Getting Started - Do you need a will to open an estate?
No. If the person died without a will, you may still file a petition for probate to open an estate and indicate on the petition that the person died intestate (which means "without a will"). If the person died with a will, the will must be filed either before or with the documents needed to open an estate.
Getting Started - Do you need a will to open an estate?
No. If the person died without a will, you may still file a petition for probate to open an estate and indicate on the petition that the person died intestate (which means "without a will"). If the person died with a will, the will must be filed either before or with the documents needed to open an estate.
Getting Started - Do you need a will to open an estate?
No. If the person died without a will, you may still file a petition for probate to open an estate and indicate on the petition that the person died intestate (which means "without a will"). If the person died with a will, the will must be filed either before or with the documents needed to open an estate.
Getting Started - How much does it cost to file a will?
There is no cost to file a will.
Other Questions - Does a will need to be notarized?
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.
Other Questions - Does a will need to be notarized?
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.
Other Questions - Does a will need to be notarized?
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.
Other Questions - Does the Probate Division accept living wills for filing?
No.
Other Questions - Does the Probate Division accept living wills for filing?
No.
Other Questions - Does the Probate Division accept living wills for filing?
No.
Other Questions - How do I get a will from a safe deposit box?
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.
Other Questions - How do I get a will from a safe deposit box?
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.
Other Questions - How do I get a will from a safe deposit box?
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.
Other Questions - How do I obtain a will from someone who is withholding it?
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.
Other Questions - How do I obtain a will from someone who is withholding it?
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.
Other Questions - How do I obtain a will from someone who is withholding it?
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.
Other Questions - How long does the will remain at the Probate Division?
The Probate Division keeps wills forever as a permanent part of the public legal record. The will is kept in the Probate Division for a period of 10 years from the date of filing. After 10 years, it is archived permanently.
Other Questions - How long does the will remain at the Probate Division?
The Probate Division keeps wills forever as a permanent part of the public legal record. The will is kept in the Probate Division for a period of 10 years from the date of filing. After 10 years, it is archived permanently.
Other Questions - How long does the will remain at the Probate Division?
The Probate Division keeps wills forever as a permanent part of the public legal record. The will is kept in the Probate Division for a period of 10 years from the date of filing. After 10 years, it is archived permanently.
Other Questions - How much does it cost to request a copy of a will?
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.
Other Questions - How much does it cost to request a copy of a will?
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.
Other Questions - How much does it cost to request a copy of a will?
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.
Other Questions - I have been told to come to the Probate Division to pick up letters. How is this done?
Letters of Administration are the formal document issued by the Court after a petition for probate is filed and the Court issues an order opening the estate and appointing a personal representative. When a personal representative is appointed in a large estate proceeding, 12 original Letters of Administration are included in the materials sent to the personal representative or counsel for use in administering the estate. Additional Letters may be ordered by the personal representative or counsel at a cost of $1.00 each.
Other Questions - I have been told to come to the Probate Division to pick up letters. How is this done?
Letters of Administration are the formal document issued by the Court after a petition for probate is filed and the Court issues an order opening the estate and appointing a personal representative. When a personal representative is appointed in a large estate proceeding, 12 original Letters of Administration are included in the materials sent to the personal representative or counsel for use in administering the estate. Additional Letters may be ordered by the personal representative or counsel at a cost of $1.00 each.
Other Questions - I have been told to come to the Probate Division to pick up letters. How is this done?
Letters of Administration are the formal document issued by the Court after a petition for probate is filed and the Court issues an order opening the estate and appointing a personal representative. When a personal representative is appointed in a large estate proceeding, 12 original Letters of Administration are included in the materials sent to the personal representative or counsel for use in administering the estate. Additional Letters may be ordered by the personal representative or counsel at a cost of $1.00 each.
Other Questions - If a will has been filed incorrectly in the District of Columbia, how can it be released, so that it can be filed in the proper jurisdiction?
Once a will has been accepted for filing, it can be released only by order of the Court. To obtain such an order, file a verified petition for release of the will and a proposed order authorizing transfer of the will.
Other Questions - If a will has been filed incorrectly in the District of Columbia, how can it be released, so that it can be filed in the proper jurisdiction?
Once a will has been accepted for filing, it can be released only by order of the Court. To obtain such an order, file a verified petition for release of the will and a proposed order authorizing transfer of the will.
Other Questions - If a will has been filed incorrectly in the District of Columbia, how can it be released, so that it can be filed in the proper jurisdiction?
Once a will has been accepted for filing, it can be released only by order of the Court. To obtain such an order, file a verified petition for release of the will and a proposed order authorizing transfer of the will.
Other Questions - If I am nominated in a will to serve as personal representative and do not wish to serve as personal representative, what should I file?
If a nominated personal representative does not wish to serve, he/she can file a Renunciation.
Other Questions - If I am nominated in a will to serve as personal representative and do not wish to serve as personal representative, what should I file?
If a nominated personal representative does not wish to serve, he/she can file a Renunciation.
Other Questions - If I am nominated in a will to serve as personal representative and do not wish to serve as personal representative, what should I file?
If a nominated personal representative does not wish to serve, he/she can file a Renunciation.
Other Questions - If there is no estate why does the will need to be filed and retained at the Probate Division?
The law in the District of Columbia requires that the will be filed even if there is no estate. Whether an estate needs to be opened or is solvent is a separate issue.
Other Questions - If there is no estate why does the will need to be filed and retained at the Probate Division?
The law in the District of Columbia requires that the will be filed even if there is no estate. Whether an estate needs to be opened or is solvent is a separate issue.
Other Questions - If there is no estate why does the will need to be filed and retained at the Probate Division?
The law in the District of Columbia requires that the will be filed even if there is no estate. Whether an estate needs to be opened or is solvent is a separate issue.
