Hiring a Wills, Trusts or Probate Lawyer in District of Columbia
What District of Columbia requires for a valid will, when probate applies, how estate lawyers charge, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in District of Columbia: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | When a lawyer has not regularly represented the client, the basis or rate of the fee, the scope of the representation and the expenses the client will owe must be communicated in writing before or within a reasonable time after the representation starts. Contingent fees are allowed except where Rule 1.5(d) or other law prohibits them; the agreement must be in writing and state how the fee is figured, including percentages on settlement, trial or appeal, the litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery, whether expenses come out before or after the fee is calculated, and whether the client owes expenses regardless of outcome. At the end, the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and the client's share. D.C.'s Rule 1.5(d) bars contingent fees only for representing a criminal defendant; unlike many states, it does not include a domestic relations ban. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The D.C. Bar's Fee Dispute Program, run by the Attorney/Client Arbitration Board (ACAB), handles fee disputes between clients and lawyers through arbitration (with mediation volunteers). A petition filing packet, rules of procedure and a filing-fees page are provided. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The D.C. Bar Clients' Security Fund, overseen by five trustees appointed by the D.C. Court of Appeals, reimburses clients up to $100,000 for losses caused by a D.C. Bar member's dishonest conduct (theft such as embezzlement or conversion), not for negligent or ineffective services. The lawyer must have acted as your attorney or in another fiduciary role, and you must first use other available ways to recover (such as demanding repayment, insurance or a lawsuit). Submit a signed, notarized application with supporting documents online, by mail (901 4th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001) or by email; final decisions generally take about six months. Source: D.C. Bar, Clients' Security Fund |
District of Columbia rules to know first
| Requirements for a valid will | A person must be at least 18 years old, of sound and disposing mind, and capable of making a deed or contract. The will must be in writing and signed by the will-maker (or by another person in the will-maker's presence and at their express direction), and attested and signed in the will-maker's presence by at least two credible witnesses. Electronic wills under the Uniform Electronic Wills Act (Title 18, Chapter 9) follow their own rules. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code §§ 18-102, 18-103 |
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| Small estate affidavit | D.C. does not use a simple out-of-court affidavit. Instead, an estate of $80,000 or less may be handled as a small estate in the Probate Division: a person eligible to be personal representative files a verified petition listing the decedent's property, known creditors and claims, and any pending lawsuits. The limit was raised from $40,000 to $80,000 by D.C. Law 25-302 (2025); check which limit applies to the date of death. These sections do not say whether a small estate may include real estate. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code §§ 20-351, 20-352 |
| How probate works | Standard administration in the Probate Division: petition for probate and appointment of a personal representative; letters issued (bond unless excused); within 20 days after appointment, publish notice of appointment once a week for 2 weeks, telling creditors to present claims within 6 months; prepare a verified inventory within 3 months after appointment (filed with the court in supervised estates); pay claims and expenses; distribute and close the estate. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code §§ 20-704, 20-711 |
Full District of Columbia guide
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The D.C. Bar's Lawyer Referral Service, MyDCLawyer (mydclawyer.org), lets you describe your legal situation online; an AI-based matching system then lists up to five participating attorneys whose profiles match your issue. Leave out names, contact details, financial information, Social Security numbers and dates of birth. "There is no charge to anyone seeking attorney referrals through MyDCLawyer"; referrals are not free legal services, and attorneys' own fees are not stated. D.C. Bar phone: 202-737-4700. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The D.C. Bar's "Find a Member" directory provides information about a specific attorney who is a member of the District of Columbia Bar, including licensing status and public contact information. The D.C. Bar also issues certificates concerning discipline. Certificate concerning discipline: https://my.dcbar.org/certificates Source: D.C. Bar, Find a Member |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Ethics complaints about D.C. lawyers go to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC), created by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals to investigate and prosecute them: 515 5th Street NW, Building A, Suite 117, Washington, DC 20001; phone 202-638-1501. ODC cannot represent you, give legal advice, refer you to a lawyer or change a court's decision. The D.C. Bar suggests first talking openly with the lawyer if the problem may be a miscommunication. Public disciplinary decisions and pending cases are posted on the D.C. Bar site. Disciplinary decisions: https://www.dcbar.org/attorney-discipline/disciplinary-decisions ; Pending cases: https://www.dcbar.org/attorney-discipline/pending-cases |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Neighborhood Legal Services Program of the District of Columbia is the LSC-funded legal aid organization for D.C. and provides free civil legal help to eligible low-income residents. The D.C. Bar also directs people seeking free (pro bono) help to the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center. |
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All legal help in District of Columbia · Do I need a lawyer?
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.