District of ColumbiaDC lets newspapers publish estate notices until August 27
Until August 27, 2026, DC allows certain estate notices in local newspapers, while the wills office may send some estate petitions to court.
What it does
Under this temporary law, several DC estate notices may run in a newspaper available to the general public or in a publication for legal notices.
If the wills office asks for more sworn proof in a shorter estate case, it may send the case to a judge to decide who manages the estate and whether to accept any will.
Under this temporary act, the 2024 probate law applies to estates of people who died on or after March 21, 2025.
Argument forPeople handling estates could find it easier to place required notices because they may use a general newspaper.
Argument againstPeople owed money by an estate might miss a notice if they check legal publications but it runs in a general newspaper.
More detail
DC allows several estate notices to run in a newspaper or a publication for legal notices. This covers requests for formal court review of an estate, notices from estate managers appointed elsewhere for people who owned DC property, and appointment notices to interested people, creditors, and unknown heirs. The publication must have general circulation in DC. The act applies as of May 14, 2026, and expires August 27, 2026.
The Register of Wills may send certain estate petitions to a court. This applies to petitions in the shorter probate process for appointing someone to manage an estate. The Register of Wills must first ask for more sworn proof. The court then decides who should manage the estate and whether to accept any will. The act applies as of May 14, 2026, and expires August 27, 2026.
The act sets a death date rule for the 2024 probate law. The rule covers estates of people who died on or after March 21, 2025. This emergency act applies as of May 14, 2026, and expires August 27, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 5Act A26-0337 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 008202, Expires on Aug 27, 2026Latest
- May 29Returned from Mayor
- May 29Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0337, Expires on Aug 27, 2026Became Law
- May 14Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on May 29, 2026To Governor
- May 5Final ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading. Result: pass.Legislature
- May 5Retained by the Council
- Apr 30B26-0674 Introduced by Councilmember Pinto at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
Government & Ethics