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.

In large estates, the claims period expires six (6) months after the first date of publication of the Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs. However, if the personal representative is aware of the existence of a debt, the personal representative must take action with regard to the debt even if no claim has been filed.

If your name is already on a deed to real estate as a joint owner and the deed has already been filed at the Recorder of Deeds, that real estate passes automatically to you at the death of the co-owner, and no probate proceeding is necessary to pass title to that piece of real estate. If your name is already on a deed but not as a joint owner (instead, as a tenant in common), a probate proceeding will be necessary to transfer the decedent’s share of the property to you. If the asset is a joint bank account, it may or may not be subject to a probate proceeding depending upon when the account was established and the intent of the decedent.

File a verified petition to transfer the will to the state in which the decedent was domiciled, which is where the will should have been filed. The petition must contain (1) facts supporting the argument that the will was filed in the District of Columbia in error and that the other state was the decedent’s domicile at death and (2) the name, address, and telephone number of the Clerk of the Court of the other state who is authorized to accept the transferred will. Include a proposed order authorizing the transfer. If the petition is granted, the Probate Division will mail the will directly to the Court official authorized to receive it in the other state.

File a motion for an extension of time to comply with the audit requirements and a proposed order, stating the reason why an extension is requested with the Auditing Branch.

Generally, an account is audited within 30 to 45 days. However, if after 45 days, no initial audit notice is received, please contact the Auditing Branch Manager at 202-879-9429.

The forms needed are: (1) Account (with Schedules A – L), (2) Financial Account Information (Form 27) (for confidential information under SCR-PD 5.1), (3) bank statements, and (4) canceled checks, receipts, or vouchers in support of all transactions.

No. If the person died without a will, you may still file a petition for probate to open an estate and indicate on the petition that the person died intestate (which means "without a will"). If the person died with a will, the will must be filed either before or with the documents needed to open an estate.

Yes. The law requires that a will be filed within 90 days after the death of the testator (i.e., the person who executed or signed the will).

No. The original will must be filed with the Probate Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.