Revocable Living Trusts in District of Columbia
How revocable living trusts work under District of Columbia law and the other ways to pass property without probate.
Short answer: D.C. has adopted the Uniform Trust Code. For trusts created by instruments signed on or after March 10, 2004, a trust is revocable unless its terms expressly say it is irrevocable, and the settlor may revoke or amend it. D.C. Code §§ 19-1301.01, 19-1306.02
| Revocable living trust | D.C. has adopted the Uniform Trust Code. For trusts created by instruments signed on or after March 10, 2004, a trust is revocable unless its terms expressly say it is irrevocable, and the settlor may revoke or amend it. Assets must be retitled to the trustee to be governed by the trust; trust property passes under its terms without probate, while assets left in the decedent's name may require probate or a small estate proceeding. Re-verified and corrected 2026-10-27. |
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| Ways to avoid probate | Non-probate options in D.C. include: transfer on death deeds for real estate, recorded with the Recorder of Deeds before death (D.C. Code §§ 19-604.08, 19-604.09); multiple-party and payable-on-death accounts, which belong to the surviving party or beneficiary (D.C. Code § 19-602.12); transfer-on-death registration of securities (D.C. Code § 19-603.01 and following); a single beneficiary designated on a D.C. vehicle title through the DMV; property in a funded revocable trust (D.C. Code § 19-1306.02); and small estate administration for estates of $80,000 or less (D.C. Code § 20-351). Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
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FAQ
How do living trusts work in District of Columbia?
D.C. has adopted the Uniform Trust Code. For trusts created by instruments signed on or after March 10, 2004, a trust is revocable unless its terms expressly say it is irrevocable, and the settlor may revoke or amend it. Assets must be retitled to the trustee to be governed by the trust; trust property passes under its terms without probate, while assets left in the decedent's name may require probate or a small estate proceeding.
How can you avoid probate in District of Columbia?
Non-probate options in D.C. include: transfer on death deeds for real estate, recorded with the Recorder of Deeds before death (D.C. Code §§ 19-604.08, 19-604.09); multiple-party and payable-on-death accounts, which belong to the surviving party or beneficiary (D.C. Code § 19-602.12); transfer-on-death registration of securities (D.C. Code § 19-603.01 and following); a single beneficiary designated on a D.C. vehicle title through the DMV; property in a funded revocable trust (D.C. Code § 19-1306.02); and small estate administration for estates of $80,000 or less (D.C. Code § 20-351).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.