What to do when someone dies in Washington DC

Washington DC handles probate through the Probate Division of DC Superior Court. The District has its own estate tax with one of the lower thresholds in the country at $4.71 million. A small estate procedure is available for estates under $40,000.

What this guide covers

How probate works in this state
Estate and inheritance taxes
Surviving spouse rights and protections
Small estate shortcuts and affidavit thresholds
Step-by-step checklist for your family

Order walks your family through every task — from filing the will with the court to closing the final accounts. Use it to stay organized, assign tasks to family members, and make sure nothing gets missed.