District of Columbia Executor and Estate Kit: the $40,000 Small Estate Route, First Month Checklist and Estate Ledger

Who it is for

Whoever is settling the estate of someone who lived in District of Columbia. Through a court office. Filed with the Register of Wills, Probate Division of DC Superior Court, in person or by mail.

Not the right fit if

The person didn't live in or own property in District of Columbia, or a will contest or family dispute means you need an estate attorney. Not a form preparation or legal service.

Why it is different

• Sources, checked November 2026: DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF); DC Courts: Small estates (SEB) FAQs; D.C. Code 18-103, Execution of written will; attestation (DC Council); D.C. Code 18-102, Capacity to make a will (DC Council); D.C. Code Title 18, Chapter 1, Wills (DC Council); D.C. Code 18-905, Execution of electronic will (DC Council); Nolo (secondary source): Making a Will in the District of Columbia (Nolo, updated October 2022).
• 2 facts aren't stated on those pages, so the kit leaves them out and lists them once to look up, with the official page.

What is inside

• DC small estate route. All assets subject to administration in DC worth $40,000 or less (the figure in effect since April 27, 2001). It depends on the route. The petition is declared under penalty of law; an affidavit about personal effects, if any, must be notarized. Through a court office. Filed with the Register of Wills, Probate Division of DC Superior Court, in person or by mail. Petition for Administration of Small Estate. Filed with Forms 26 and 27 and a court cost of up to $150 (for $25,000.01 to $40,000). Small estate administration (SEB): A short court proceeding that appoints a personal representative, with notice to creditors and unknown heirs. The surviving spouse or registered domestic partner is high in the priority list to serve.
• How a DC will had to be signed. Two or more credible witnesses, who attest in the testator's presence. Not available. Nolo's D.C. page says D.C. doesn't offer the self-proving option that spares the witnesses from going to court to testify that they saw the will signed. Not recognized unless witnessed: a will is void unless two credible witnesses attest and sign it in the testator's presence (D.C. Code 18-103). The section's only exceptions are oral (nuncupative) wills and electronic wills. An interested witness can lose any gift the will leaves them (Nolo, citing D.C. Code 18-104).
• DC estate ledger (Excel). Assets, debts, payments and distributions; it compares the countable assets with $40,000 and marks real estate to ask the court about.
• First 30 days, tracker and letters. The first month in order, a documents and accounts tracker, and plain letters to a bank, a utility and Social Security.
• Look up before you file in DC. real estate, waiting period after the death: look up on DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF).