District of ColumbiaB26-0675Council Period 26 (2025-2026)House

Strengthening Probate Administration Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Estates get more notice publication options

Beginning May 14, 2026, required probate notices can appear in a legal periodical or a newspaper of general circulation in the District. This covers notices of formal probate requests and appointments sent to interested persons, creditors, and unknown heirs. It also covers notices from out-of-District estate representatives when the person who died owned property in the District. Publication remains required; the law expands the available outlets.

Estate paperwork gets clearer proof rules

Beginning May 14, 2026, abbreviated probate presumes proper signing when a will appears properly signed and includes the required witness statement. A verified statement from someone with personal knowledge can also establish proper signing. The Register of Wills can require more verified proof and refer the case to the Court. The Court then decides whether to appoint estate representatives and accept the will. The law also removes a will-admission reference from affidavit transfer rules; the supplied text does not explain the practical effect.

New rules for handling estates

An interested person can request abbreviated probate to accept a will or determine there is no will and appoint estate representatives. This process can proceed without the advance notice required for formal probate. The Court or Register of Wills must appoint representatives, subject to the exception in D.C. Code § 20-322. Appointment cannot wait for the Court's supervision decision; administration is unsupervised unless the appointment order says otherwise. The 2024 probate law applies to estates of people who died on or after March 21, 2025. These temporary changes apply as of May 14, 2026, and expire 225 days after this law takes effect.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Brooke Pinto
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 26 • No: 0

House vote • 6/2/2026

Final Reading, CC

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 5/5/2026

First Reading