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District of ColumbiaB26-0736Council Period 26 (2025-2026)House

Strengthening Probate Administration Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Brooke Pinto (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Fewer steps for sworn estate transfers

The law removes a will-admission requirement from the procedure for transferring a deceased person’s property by affidavit, a sworn statement. The text does not specify a replacement process. This emergency law takes effect upon mayoral approval or a Council veto override and lasts no longer than 90 days.

More publication options for estate notices

Required probate notices can appear in a legal periodical or newspaper of general circulation in the District. This covers formal probate requests and appointment notices for interested persons, creditors, and unknown heirs. It also covers notices from representatives appointed outside the District when the deceased person owned District real estate. This emergency law takes effect upon mayoral approval or a Council veto override and lasts no longer than 90 days.

Simpler estate proceedings without advance notice

An interested person can petition for abbreviated probate to validate a will or establish that none exists, and appoint estate representatives. This process does not require the advance notice used in formal probate. The Court or Register of Wills must appoint representatives, subject to statutory exceptions, without waiting for a supervision decision. Administration is unsupervised unless the appointment order says otherwise. Proper signing is presumed; admission can rely on witness statements in the will or a verified statement of firsthand knowledge. The Register can require more verified proof and refer appointment and will admission decisions to the Court. The 2024 probate law applies to estates of people who died on or after March 21, 2025. This emergency law takes effect upon mayoral approval or a Council veto override and lasts no longer than 90 days.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Brooke Pinto

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote • 7/14/2026

Final Reading, CC

Yes: 12 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Act A26-0388 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 011167, Expires on Oct 28, 2026

    8/7/2026House

  2. Returned from Mayor

    7/30/2026House

  3. Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0388, Expires on Oct 28, 2026

    7/30/2026House

  4. Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Aug 06, 2026

    7/23/2026House

  5. Legislative Meeting

    7/14/2026House

  6. Retained by the Council

    7/14/2026House

  7. B26-0736 Introduced by Councilmember Pinto at Office of the Secretary

    7/9/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enrollment

    7/14/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    7/9/2026

    PDF

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