Free Tools and Information
for Washington D.C. Consumers

Washington D.C. Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Washington D.C. PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Your County: Key information about your local probate court (Superior Court in Washington D.C.) for Your County.
• How Probate Works in Washington D.C.: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Your County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • Washington D.C. Probate Forms and the
    • Washington D.C. State 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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Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Your County, Washington D.C. (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for May 15, 2024)
• 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. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in Washington D.C.?:  

    • Yes. Federal exemptions are available in D.C.

  • Washington D.C. Homestead Exemption

    • Any property used as a residence or co-op that debtor or debtor's dependent uses as a residence

  • Washington D.C. Vehicle Exemption

    • $2,575

• 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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Democracy In Washington D.C., Your County, your city 

• 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 D.C..
  • Key Links:
    • Check Your Washington D.C. Voter Registration Status: https://apps.dcboe.org/vrs
• 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 

 

Washington D.C. Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Washington D.C.: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $50 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $444 per week
  • 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..
  • District of Columbia Department of Employment Services, Office of Unemployment Compensation 
    • 202-724-7000
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

• 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. 

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

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Find a Lawyer in Washington D.C.

• 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
• Legal Aid
  • LawHelp.org/DC 

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