What Happens After Someone Dies
The Probate Division helps people take care of a loved one’s money, property, and debts after they die (the “estate”). The person who died is call a “decedent”. There are different kinds of estate cases depending on how much the person who died owned and where they lived.
If the person lived in another state or country but owned property in DC, you must file a foreign estate case here.
Manage money or property for a child through the court.
How to Open an Estate Case
To open a case, you must file documents with the Register of Wills. The forms you need depend on the kind of estate.
- Petition for Administration of Small Estate
- Death Certificate
- Original will (if there is one)
- List of property and heirs
- Filing fee or fee waiver
- Petition for Probate
- Death Certificate
- Original Will (if there is one)
- Notice of Appointment
- Bond and other required forms
- Filing fee or fee waiver
- Petition for Probate of Foreign Estate
- Certified copy of Letters of Administration or equivalent from the other jurisdiction
- Death Certificate
- Filing fee or fee waiver
Fees
There are filing fees for estate cases. The amount depends on the size of the estate and type of case.
View fees: D.C. Code § 15–707
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may request a fee waiver.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
You do not need a lawyer to file an estate case, but it can be helpful—especially for large estates or if there is a dispute. The court cannot give legal advice.
Free or low-cost legal help may be available:
- Probate Self-Help Center (help with court forms, understanding the process and referrals to lawyers and community resources)
- Probate Legal Assistance Network (PLAN) (legal advice and referrals to lawyers)
- Court Navigator Program (help with court forms, understanding the process, and referrals to lawyers and community resources)
- DC Bar Advice and Referral Clinic (legal advice and referrals to lawyers)
- Find a Lawyer