Washington, DC Consumer Law

Tools and Resources for Washington, DC Consumers

Washington D.C. Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Washington D.C. PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for District Of Columbia: Key information about your local probate court (Superior Court in Washington D.C.) for District Of Columbia.
• How Probate Works in Washington D.C.: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at District Of Columbia's probate court.
  • Here are links to Washington D.C. probate forms from the Washington D.C. probate court website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Washington D.C.: Learn how to use Washington D.C.'s Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In the District of Columbia, you can use an Affidavit only if the decedent owned nothing more than one or two motor vehicles.

    D.C. Code Ann 20-357.

    There's a summary probate procedure available for estates with less than $40,000 subject to administration. (This excludes the value of all joint tenancy property and other assets that pass by beneficiary designation, such as life insurance and transfer on death accounts.)

    D.C. Code Ann 20-351 and following.

• Washington D.C. Estate Taxes:

  • Washington D.C. imposes an estate tax on property owned in the District of Columbia. If you are inheriting property from Washington, D.C., it may be subject to estate tax if the overall value of the estate is more than $4,710,000.

• Avoiding Probate in Washington D.C.. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

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Washington D.C. Wage & Hour Law

• Washington D.C. Minimum Wage:  

  • The minimum wage in DC is $17 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in the District of Columbia must be paid at least $17 an hour. 

  • Learn more about Washington DC’s minimum wage at https://does.dc.gov/page/wage-and-hour-public-notice.

• Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Washington D.C. and whether they apply to you.

  • If you work more than 40 hours in a workweek, your employer must pay you 1-1/2 times your regular hourly wage for each overtime hour you work, unless you are exempt. You can find information on the District of Columbia's overtime rules and exemptions on the Minimum Wage Poster, available at the website of the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services.

• Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Washington D.C.. 

  • The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services website has an information page with links to the forms you need to file a wage claim. 

• Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Washington D.C..

  • In Washington D.C., your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $8 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $17 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

• State Labor Board:
  • Learn more about your rights under Washington D.C. law from the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services. 202-671-1880

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Washington D.C. Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Washington D.C.: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • In Washington D.C., unemployment benefits range from $50 per week to $444 per week.
  • Formula:

    In the District of Columbia, your weekly benefit will be one-twenty-sixth of your earnings in the highest paid quarter of the base period. 

  • Duration:

    In Washington D.C., you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Washington D.C..
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• Free Washington D.C. MEANS TEST CALCULATOR for District Of Columbia (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for April 1, 2024)
• Free Washington D.C. BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Washington D.C. law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
• Washington D.C. BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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Child Custody & Family Courts in Washington D.C. 

• State Standards For Custody Decisions: How Washington D.C. Courts make child custody decisions
• Family Court for District Of Columbia: District Of Columbia Family Court information, including maps, forms and links.
• Enforcement of Custody Orders: Can you enlist local police to help enforce a custody court order?
• Child Custody Lawyers: To help you handle your child custody matters.

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Washington D.C. Obamacare

• Sign Up: We have the latest on how to sign up for Obamacare Insurance in Washington D.C.!
• Is Health Insurance Mandatory in Washington D.C.? Learn about whether Washington D.C. imposes tax penalties for not having health insurance.
• Special Enrollment Periods: How to enroll because of a "special enrollment period."
• Rates & Providers in Your County: Information and rates for providers for District Of Columbia if you live in a state served by Healthcare.gov.

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Democracy In Washington D.C., District Of Columbia, Washington 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Washington, DC.
• Gerrymandering in Washington D.C.: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 

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Find a Lawyer in Washington, DC

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration

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