Quick answer: Washington DC probate is filed with the Register of Wills and administered through the Probate Division of the Superior Court. The court costs themselves are modest — a filing fee to open the estate, a publication cost to notify creditors, and periodic accountings. The big DC numbers are the reasonable PR and (high) attorney fees, and for larger estates the DC estate tax.
How DC probate court costs work
Unlike a state with 100+ county courts, DC has a single Probate Division. To open an estate the personal representative files the will and a petition with the Register of Wills. Cases are split by size: estates of $80,000 or less use the small estate proceeding, and larger estates the standard (large estate) proceeding.
| Court-related cost | Approximate figure |
|---|---|
| Filing / opening the estate | Modest court fee (confirm current schedule) |
| Publication to creditors | ~$150–$250 (newspaper notice) |
| Certified Letters of Administration | A few dollars each |
| Bond premium | If required; a fraction of a percent per year |
DC updates its schedule of probate fees periodically; confirm the current amounts with the Register of Wills. Fee waivers may be available for qualifying filers.
Accountings & ongoing filings
- Inventory — the PR files an inventory of estate assets with the Court after appointment.
- Accountings — filed periodically (roughly every 9–12 months) until the estate closes; the Court reviews each.
- Notice to interested persons — heirs, legatees and creditors with claims over $500.
The DC estate tax is the big number
Court fees are small next to the reasonable PR fee, the (high) DC attorney fee, and — for estates above $4,988,400 — the DC estate tax (11.2–16%, Form D-76). See the whole picture in the DC probate cost breakdown, learn about attorney fees, or estimate your total with the DC probate cost calculator.
A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.