District of Columbia executor and estate paperwork checklist

This is an organizer, not legal advice. An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation.

The first 30 days

Plain steps that apply wherever the person lived, with the small estate dates for this state. Ticks stay on your screen only.

1. Ask for certified death certificates, more than you thinkThe funeral director or vital records office issues them. Institutions often keep the copy you send, so plan on one each.
2. Make sure Social Security knowsFuneral homes generally report the death. If not, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). A surviving spouse, or some children if there's no spouse, may get a one-time $255 payment.
3. Locate the signed will and any changesThe signed original matters more than a copy. Keep it whole and somewhere safe, and note who else has a copy.
4. Protect the propertyChange locks if keys are out, keep insurance paid, and have the mail forwarded so bills and statements reach you.
5. Hold off on paying debts or giving things awayWait until you know which route applies and who has authority. If something can't wait, ask the probate clerk or an attorney.
6. Know that a power of attorney has endedA power of attorney ends when the principal dies; the agent's authority stops there.
7. Write down every asset and debtFor each, record whose name it's in and whether a beneficiary or co-owner is listed; those usually go straight to that person.
8. Compare the estate with $40,000That's the small estate figure on this state's official page. Count only what the page says counts.
9. Open a simple money logOne line per payment or deposit, with the date, who, how much and the receipt. It makes the final accounting easy.
10. Get the estate its own tax number and bank accountThe IRS asks for an EIN before the estate's Form 1041, which applies once the estate has more than $600 of gross income in a year.

Sources for the federal steps: Social Security Administration: When someone dies · IRS: Deceased taxpayers, filing the estate income tax return (Form 1041) · power of attorney: Power of attorney at a real estate closing.

The small estate route

• ConfirmedSmall estate limit

  All assets subject to administration in DC worth $40,000 or less (the figure in effect since April 27, 2001).

  "All assets subject to administration in the District of Columbia do not exceed $40,000.00, effective April 27, 2001."

  Source: DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF), checked November 2026

• Not confirmedReal estate

  Not confirmed — check DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF).

• Not confirmedWaiting period after the death

  Not confirmed — check DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF).

• ConfirmedNotary or oath

  It depends on the route. The petition is declared under penalty of law; an affidavit about personal effects, if any, must be notarized.

  "Notarized affidavit concerning personal effects of value owned solely by the decedent, if any."

  Source: DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedWhere the paperwork goes

  Through a court office. Filed with the Register of Wills, Probate Division of DC Superior Court, in person or by mail.

  "Office of the Register of Wills, Probate Division"

  Source: DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedOfficial form

  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).

  Source: DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedSimplified court procedure

  Small estate administration (SEB): A short court proceeding that appoints a personal representative, with notice to creditors and unknown heirs.

  Source: DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedSurviving spouse

  The surviving spouse or registered domestic partner is high in the priority list to serve.

  "The surviving spouse, registered domestic partner, or children of the intestate decedent"

  Source: DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF), checked November 2026

The will at probate

How the will had to be signed matters when it's offered to the court.

• ConfirmedWitnesses the will needed

  Two or more credible witnesses, who attest in the testator's presence.

  "at least two credible witnesses"

  Source: D.C. Code 18-103, Execution of written will; attestation (DC Council), checked November 2026

• Not confirmedSelf-proving affidavit

  Not confirmed — check D.C. Code 18-103, Execution of written will; attestation (DC Council).

• Not confirmedIf the will is handwritten

  Not confirmed — check D.C. Code 18-103, Execution of written will; attestation (DC Council).

• Not confirmedA witness who inherits

  Not confirmed — check D.C. Code 18-103, Execution of written will; attestation (DC Council).

Documents to gather

• Safe deposit box location and keys
• Certified death certificates
• The original will and any codicils
• Deeds and mortgage statements
• Vehicle titles and registrations
• Recent bank, brokerage and retirement statements
• Life insurance policies and annuities
• The last few years of tax returns
• Recent bills, loan and credit card statements
• Pension, Social Security and benefit letters
• The official small estate form: Petition for Administration of Small Estate

Who to notify

Brokerage and retirement accounts, Life insurance companies, Utilities and phone, Landlord or mortgage servicer, Credit card companies, Pension or employer, Social Security (if the funeral home hasn't), Banks and credit unions. A brief letter and a copy of the death certificate usually start each one; note the date and the person you reached.

Documents needed abroad

• ConfirmedA death certificate needed abroad

  Apostilles for this state's documents come from the Office of the Secretary, Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA). $15 per document.

  Source: Office of the Secretary, Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA), checked November 2026

Where to ask

An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Official pages for DC:

• DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF)
• DC Courts: Small estates (SEB) FAQs

Still to confirm

• Real estate: check DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF)
• Waiting period after the death: check DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF)
• Self-proving affidavit: check D.C. Code 18-103, Execution of written will; attestation (DC Council)
• If the will is handwritten: check D.C. Code 18-103, Execution of written will; attestation (DC Council)
• A witness who inherits: check D.C. Code 18-103, Execution of written will; attestation (DC Council)

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Facts checked November 2026.

Common questions

Related: Executor guide by state · Estate paperwork help