First, the personal representative should contact the Internal Revenue Service and obtain a tax identification number for the estate, called an Employer Identification Number (EIN). The telephone number is 800-829-4933. Then the personal representative should take that number, a copy of the order appointing personal representative, an original of the letters of administration, the decedent’s death certificate, and the check or cash that needs to be deposited to the bank of his or her choosing. The personal representative can then open an account titled "Estate of ____________, your name, Personal Representative." It is best to open an account that returns cancelled checks or provides copies with the bank account statements, so it will be easier to keep records of all transactions. The bank account statements and canceled checks will be needed to prepare the account filed with the Court in supervised probate estates.

Additional or updated Letters can be purchased for $1.00 each at the Probate Division, 515 5th Street, NW, Room 314, Washington, DC 20001, or ordered by mail. To order by mail, complete the Copy Request Form and mail with check payable to "Register of Wills."

As Superior Court no longer employs a court appraiser, the petitioner/fiduciary must get their own private appraiser if the Court determines that an appraisal of an estate asset is necessary.

No, the personal representative holds the estate assets and makes the distributions to the persons entitled to receive them.

The date that the Findings of Fact or order of appointment is docketed is the official date of appointment; however, Letters are not issued until the guardian files an Acceptance and Consent and, when a conservator is appointed, a bond.

The powers and duties of a guardian are set forth at DC Code, sec. 21-2047 and in the Specific Instructions to Guardians and Guardianship Information Sheet.

The authority granted in a power of attorney ends the minute that the person who signed the power of attorney dies. The person named as attorney-of-fact in the power of attorney must immediately stop using the power of attorney or will be subject to potential personal liability. If the decedent owned assets in his or her sole name, an estate proceeding must be opened to collect and distribute those assets.

A personal representative may be removed from a case by order of a judge. The process of removing a personal representative is begun with the filing of either a complaint for removal in the LIT case type (LIT means Major Litigation) or a petition for removal in the estate case (ADM). It is recommended that any person considering removal of a personal representative seek legal advice from an attorney.

The decedent’s spouse and parents.

The following pleadings must be verified to be filed in the Probate Division:

1. All Petitions - SCR-PD 2(b) and 3
2. Complaints filed in Probate Matters - SCR-PD 107(a), and 208(a)
3. Accounts - DC Code 20-721
4. Inventories - DC Code 20-711
5. Guardian Reports - SCR-PD 328
6. Assignments - SCR-PD 120 and 420
7. Claims - DC Code 20-905(a)
8. Affidavits of Mailing and Non-Mailing in Standard Probate - SCR-PD 403(a)(8)
9. Any Affidavit - SCR-CIV 9
10. Verification and Certificate of Notice - SCR-PD 403(b)(3)
11. Certificate of Completion - SCR-PD 426

According to SCR-CIV 11, no other pleadings need be verified. Accordingly, motions, answers, responses and oppositions do not need to be verified.